Mission Statement
REPCOM 2003 Trade Mission
Guadalajara and Monterrey, Mexico
October 14-17, 2003

Mission Description:

The International Trade Administration of U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Commercial Service Mexico is hosting a trade mission to Guadalajara and Monterrey expected to include 10 business representatives from the United States. The mission goal is to help U.S. exporters in locating agents, distributors and end-users for their products and services in Mexico's growing industrial and commercial centers. The mission will include new-to-export and new-to-market companies from many industry sectors. The U.S. companies will receive up to 7 appointments in Guadalajara, and 10 appointments in Monterrey with pre-screened potential representatives at their places of business, a commercial briefing, and an interpreter/facilitator.

Commercial Setting:

Mexico's economic growth was 1.7 percent in 2002 with a projection of growth of 3 percent for 2003. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) continues to be a key factor in raising Mexico's overall level of economic activity. In 2001, the United States provided nearly 78 percent of Mexico's imports and in 2002 continued to provide 74 percent of imports.

Guadalajara: Guadalajara has experienced tremendous growth in recent years, especially in electronics manufacturing. Guadalajara is the second largest distribution and retail center in Mexico. The Commercial Service Guadalajara is responsible for seven states in Western Mexico including the key manufacturing and industrial states of Jalisco, Aguascalientes and Guanajuato. Major important subsectors within the region for this mission include auto parts, electronics, metalworking and processed foods.

Monterrey: The Commercial Service office in Monterrey (state of Nuevo Leon) oversees one of the most rapidly growing regions of Mexico. Major industries in this region include mining, steel, glass, aluminum, cement, food processing, auto parts and automotive assembly and telecommunications traffic centers. Monterrey, the capital of the state, is the home of Mexico's largest industrial conglomerates that produce a wide range of products. These include packaged meats and other food products, artificial fibers, glass, cement, auto parts, steel, chemicals, electrical materials, electronic components and telecommunications equipment.

Mission Goal:

To match U.S. and Mexican companies, in an effort to develop a new agent, distributor, licensee, or joint venture relationships that will result in increased U.S. exports.

Mission Scenario and Time Table:

The mission participants will arrive in Guadalajara on October 13 (evening). They will receive a commercial briefing and up to 7 one-on-one appointments with potential Mexican business partners on October 14-15. The group will travel to Monterrey on October 15 (evening) for a commercial briefing and up to 10 appointments on October 16-17. A business reception in honor of mission participants will be held in Monterrey on Thursday, October 17.

Criteria for Participation:

a) Relevance of a company's product line to the market.
b) Potential for business in the Mexican market.
c) Provision of adequate information on company's primary market objectives in order to facilitate appropriate matching with potential business partners.
d) A timely receipt of company's signed participation agreement, including a participation fee of $2725.

Event participants will be recruited by the U.S. Commercial Service in accordance with the objectives of the mission statement. Any company that is interested in participating and that meets the U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC) participation guidelines is eligible to participate, subject to CS Mexico's determination that there is a market for their product or service in Mexico.

As per USDOC participation guidelines, U.S. companies wishing to participate in the event must certify that their goods and services are either manufactured or produced in the United States, or if manufactured or produced outside, they must certify that the goods and services are marketed under the name of a U.S. firm and that the final product has at least 51 percent U.S. content.

Recruitment of U.S. firms will be conducted in an open and public manner, including promotion through the U.S. Commercial Service network and direct contact with trade associations throughout the United States. This event will be listed in the Federal Register and on International Trade Administration's home page: www.ita.doc.gov/doctm/tmcal.html.

Any partisan political activities (including political contributions) of a U.S. firm are entirely irrelevant to the event selection process.
Recruitment will begin immediately, and will close on September 5, 2003, approximately six weeks prior to the start of the mission.

Contact Information:

Guadalajara
Isabella Cascarano
U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service
Guadalajara, Mexico
Ph. +52 (33) 3615-0980 ext. 110
Fax. +52 (33) 3615-7665
E-mail: isabella.cascarano@mail.doc.gov

Monterrey
Ellen Lenny-Pessagno
U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service
Monterrey, Mexico
Ph. +52 (81) 8343-4450
Fax. +52 (81) 8343-4440
E-mail: ellen.lenny-pessagno@mail.doc.gov