NAFTA Works. Jul 2003 Jul 2004 Financial Indicators Inflation Rate (Jun/Jun)

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1 NAFTA Works A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER ON NAFTA AND RELATED ISSUES VISIT US AT August 2004 Volume 9, Issue 08 Mexico Repositions itself as an Exporter of High-End Appliances Mexico s position as a world-class manufacturer of appliances and high value-added goods continues to strengthen. Mexico s quality production, manufacturing location and transportation logistics, plus NAFTA s preferential market access to the United States and Canada, are the most important draws that are helping the country to reposition itself over Asian competitors. Mexico is the number one supplier of major appliances (refrigerators, ranges and washing machines) to the U.S. market. Today, Mexico s share of the U.S. market in those three types of appliances is 32%. From January to July 2004, imports of electric ranges and two-door refrigerators from Mexico commanded the U.S. import market with 31.8 % and 62.6% participation respectively. The two-door refrigerator U.S. import market has grown from less than 20 million dollars in 1993 to 735 million dollars in During the same period, Mexico s imports to the U.S. twodoor refrigerator market grew from 16 million dollars to 508 million dollars. The value of Mexico s appliances imports in the U.S. market has grown from 281 million dollars in 1993 to more than 1 billion dollars in Therefore, Mexican made Household Appliances - 3 Main Products U.S. Imports January-July 2004 Mexico 32.3% Refrigerators, Ranges and Washing Machines Korea 8.6% Canada 7.7% China 29.6% Germany 10.8% Others 10.9% appliances with high value-added content and sophisticated technology are successfully gaining the very demanding U.S. consumer market with quality products. continues on page 2 Inside this issue: Mexico Repositions itself as an Exporter of High-End Appliances Mexico Economic Update 1 Selected Readings 2 Success Stories 2 Profile of Nayarit 3 Profile of New Hampshire 4 Related Events 4 Diario Oficial Notices 5 1 M exico Economic Update Foreign Trade Jul 2004 Value Annual Change (US bd) % Exports Manufacturing Oil Imports Balance (0.89) Jan-Jul 2004 Value Annual Change (US bd) % (2.24) 3.6 Jul 2003 Jul 2004 Financial Indicators Inflation Rate (Jun/Jun) Employment 4.13% 4.49% Interest Rate (CETES 28) Stock Market Index (IPC) Exchange Rate (pesos/dollar) International Reserves (US bd) 4.57% 6, $ % 10, $57.8 Open Unemployment 3.52% 3.75% Jun 2003 Jun 2004 Economic Growth Global Economic Activity 1.7% Index (IGAE) Industrial Activity Industrial Production Manufacturing Mining Construction -1.7% -3.0% 4.0% 2.2% 5.1% 5.4% 6.3% 2.5% 3.9% Source: Ministry of the Economy with Banxico and INEGI data. US bd= US billion dollar

2 Mexico s gains in the U.S. import appliances market is the result of its longstanding manufacturing efficiencies, qualified labor, and renowned production quality. The latter is prompting a new wave of investors to choose Mexico as the premier manufacturing location of high-end appliances. Leading manufacturing appliance companies such as Electrolux, General Electric and Whirlpool are currently expanding their manufacturing facilities in Mexico. Sweden s Electrolux (Frigidaire, Kelvinator, etc.) investment in Ciudad Juarez will be 120 million dollars. When completed, Electrolux s refrigerator plant will be the largest in the world. Its production will be destined to the domestic market in Mexico, as well as to the markets of the United States and Canada. Whirlpool is also investing in new plants in Mexico. The states of Coahuila and Nuevo Leon in northern Mexico are the sites where new plants facilities, including suppliers are relocating. Whirlpool investments will total 320 million dollars doubling its manufacturing capacity. LG, the largest Korean appliances manufacturers has invested 100 million dollars in its Monterrey plant. In 2003, LG produced 450,000 refrigerators in Mexico. In 2004, it expects to produce 800,000 refrigerators. The current investment activity underscores the importance of Mexico as a premier manufacturer site. It is also helping the country to improve its competitive stance by attracting the most sophisticated technology and the world s leading appliance manufacturers. Furthermore, Mexico is helping itself to become more attractive to investors by devising incentives, particularly customized local and federal fiscal incentives. Mexico also offers an expanding road and rail infrastructure, as well as a pool of talented people and workers that create the ideal environment to establish new businesses and consolidate the growth of Mexico s appliance industry. Selected Readings NAFTA's Impact on North America (CSIS Edited by Sidney Weintraub, September 2004) A thorough evaluation of NAFTA in all of its ramifications [by] 16 specialists 4 from the United States, 2 from Canada, and 10 from Mexico. [This] study will be extremely useful not only to those interested in the economic, trade, social, political, and security effects of NAFTA, but also to those interested in the likely consequences of other broad regional trade agreements. Carla A. Hills, U.S. Trade Representative, Cowboy Capitalism: European Myths, American Reality (Olaf Gersemann, September 2004) This is a comprehensive, indeed truly encyclopedic, comparison of economic conditions and policies in the United States with those in Germany, France, and Italy. Gersemann, a German journalist based in the United States, provides detailed evidence to support his devastating rejection of common European fallacies about the American economy. A real treasure trove of thoughtful analysis. Milton Friedman, Nobel Laureate in Economics. Success Stories Guardian Industries Begins Float Glass Production in the State of Querétaro Household Appliances - 3 Main Products U.S. Imports January-July 2004 Ranges 47.7% Electric 13.9% Gas Percentage 2 Doors 26.7% 33.8% Other Refrigerators 37% 10.3% Washing 15.3% On August 16 th, Guardian Industries V.P. S. de R.L. de C.V., a subsidiary of Guardian Industries Corp., began operations at its new float glass manufacturing plant in the state of Querétaro, north of Mexico City. The plant, which represents an investment of $120 million, employs 300 people and produces 650 tons of high quality float glass for architectural and automotive applications. It will serve the increasing demand in Mexico as well as Central and South America. According to Russell Ebeid, President of the Guardian Glass Group, the investment reflects Guardian s confidence in Mexico s long-term growth prospects that are due largely to the success of NAFTA. We are here to serve that growth, he said, while serving an expanding customer base in Latin America. Guardian s other Latin American locations include float glass plants in Brazil and Venezuela, and distribution facilities in Mexico (Veracruz), Argentina, and Colombia. Guardian Industries Corp., based in Auburn Hills, Michigan, is a leading worldwide manufacturer of float glass and fabricated glass products. Guardian, its subsidiaries and affiliates, employ 19,000 people in facilities around the world. The new plant in Mexico is part of Guardian s rapid growth strategy that has included other new float glass plants in Poland and England, and new coaters in Luxembourg and the United States. Volume 9, Issue 08 Page 2

3 Capital: Main cities: Nayari Tepic, Santiago Ixcuintla, Compostela, Bahía de Banderas, San Blas, Tecuala and Xalisco Investment Highlights: Aid in setting up operations and training workers. Population: 920,185 (2000) 64% in the urban area 62% under 30 years old 34 people per square kilometer 91% Literacy rate Major exports: Electronic equipment, computers and textile Exports: US $ 35 Million (2003) Imports: US $ 14 Million (2003) Major Economic Activity in 2002 Manuf ac turing 29.2% Other serv ices 20.2% Source: Ministry of the Economy Foreign Direct Investment: Between 1999 and 2003, Nayarit received US $163 million in foreign investment. Main sector: Hotels, Commerce and Manufacturing (Food) Countries with major investments in Nayarit, include USA, Canada, Italy, Austria and UK Maquiladora: There is 1 maquiladora in Nayarit Maquiladora Companies employs 149 workers. Source: Ministry of the Economy, Government of State and INEGI. Infrastructure: 1,861 km of paved roads 151 km of highways (4 lanes) 1 National airport 28 Universities and technological institutes 29 Hospitals 103,000 Fixed telephone lines 21 Radio stations 9 TV stations Others 10.7% Transportation & communications 10.2% Commerce 13.5% Financial services 16.3% Contact us Web-site: Tel: (311) Fax: (311) sde@tepic.megared.net.mx Source: Ministry of Economy with INEGI data. Volume 9, Issue 08 Page 3

4 New Hampshire Between 1993 and 2003 New Hampshire s exports to Mexico grew 113.9%. Mexico is the seventh largest consumer of Washington's exports ** ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT 12% MACHINERY 16% Exports to Mexico * (US Million) Source: US Census, MISER and SE-NAFTA. SIC Series *First Semester, NAICS Series By Sector (NAICS) NONMETALLIC MINERAL 10% 2003 COMPUTER 28% CHEMICALS 6% METAL PRODUCTS 5% 43 OTHERS 23% N AFTA Related Events October Expo Industrial y Comercial Tlalnepantla Tlalnepantla, Edo. de México Centro de Convenciones Tlalnepantla Metal mechanic and electronic industry exhibition. aietac@prodigy.net.mx October ANPIC Naolinco Naolinco, Veracruz Salón Hidalgo The National Association of Suppliers for the Footwear Industry organizes a regional sample of outsourcing services and machinery for footwear manufacturing. feria@anpic.com October Fashion Forum León, Guanajuato Poliforum León Specialized event in the industry of apparel confection. dirore@poliforumleon.com October JOYA Guadalajara, Jalisco Expo Guadalajara International jewelry, silverware and watches and watch making exhibition. exposiciones@camaradejoyeria.com.mx October XXXI Expo Congreso Andellac Acapulco, Guerrero Hotel Acapulco Princess Exhibition of machinery and equipment for the rim industry. ruben_andellac@hotmail.com October Congreso Latinoamericano de Calidad Querétaron, Querétaro TBC 16th Latinamerican Quality Control Congress and 32nd National Quality Control Congress, jointly with the 23rd National Quality Circle Convention, 13th Asia Pacific Total Volume 9, Issue 08 Page 4

5 Quality Circles Convention, 13th IMECCA's ISO 9000 International Forum and 5th IMECCA's ISO International Forum October ANPIC San Mateo Atenco San Mateo Atenco, Edo. de México Salón Azul The National Association of Suppliers for the Footwear Industry organizes a regional sample of outsourcing services and machinery for footwear manufacturing. October XI Expo Alimentos feria@anpic.com Monterrey, Nuevo León Cintermex The unique exhibition from the Food and Beverage Industry that gathers in one place "From the Raw Material to the Final Product". During this edition of Expo Alimentos 2004 visitors will witness the latest in technology and a variety of new products and services. anyapex@cintermex.com.mx Agreement that determines the additional quota to import corn, except for planting, originating from the United States of America during the year of (August 19, 2004). General criteria on certification topics for the conformity assessment with control and distribution of equipment within the Official Mexican Standard NOM-003-SCFI-2000, electrical products-security specifications. (August 19, 2004). Part of the agreement by which the Federal Competitive Commission begins the investigation in the identified claim DE , regarding possible monopolistic practices related to the distribution and commercialization of unopened bottled beer within the National territory. (August 24, 2004). A monthly newsletter on 1911 Pennsylvania Av NW Washington, D. C Phone: (202) Fax: (202) naftadsk@naftamexico.net Visit us at D iario Oficial Notices Opening of the process to validate and approve verification units in the Official Mexican NOM-159-SCFI-2004, Alcoholic drinks Sotol - Specifications and test methods. (August 3, 2004). Agreement that modifies the previous determination by which the minimum quota of imports in the period within the tariff-quota established in the North America Free Trade Agreement, corn except for the one used in planting, originating from the United States of America or Canada. (August 5, 2004). Decree in which several duties of the Tariff Law of general taxes for imports and exports are modified. (August 9, 2004). Preliminary resolution of the antidumping investigation on steel pipes and tubes not seamless, classified under Tariff item y of the Mexican Tariff Schedule on imports and exports from the United States of America regardless of the country of origin. (August 16, 2004). Final determination of the antidumping investigation on Hydrogen Peroxide imports, classified under Tariff item of the Mexican Tariff Schedule on imports and exports, originating from the United States of America. (August 18, 2004).