Bulletin 437 - Friday, September 11, 2009

Angela Merkel, German Chancellor, announced this morning - Mexico time - that two GM subsidiaries: Opel AG and Vauxhall were sold to one of the largest auto parts companies in the world, Magna International. For the time being the amount involved in the operation was not disclosed, London BBC informed. According to the source, General Motors Company has completed the sale of two subsidiaries, the German Opel and the English automobiles factory Vauxhall to one of the largest auto parts manufacturers, the Canadian company Magna International, negotiations which the German Chancellor strongly encouraged and ended today, a day that will be history for world automotive industry. An obliged question to Merkel was about the decision Magna will make regarding keeping Opel plants open in Europe and the answer was yes, she said that was the agreement between Magna Canada and the German Government.

Source: Al Volante

Merida, Yucatan.- In order to establish cooperation agreements with Yucatan for agriculture, trade and investments, that provide for the State's economic development, officers from Thailand Government met with the State Governor, Ivonne Ortega Pacheco, stating the interest Thai authorities and businessmen have in investing here. Charwan Thiewthad, Thailand's Ambassador to Mexico, pointed-out that in agriculture they will look for technological and counseling exchange with Yucatan farmers, who are undergoing difficult times due to the drought. The Ambassador, who visited the State of Yucatan for three days, said that if agreements materialize Yucatan produce and products could reach Southeast Asia market, through Thailand, while they would have the possibility to approach Central America via Yucatan.

Source: El Financiero

Mexico.- The Mexican Pharmaceutical Company Landsteiner Scientific is planning to invest US$45 million to buy, build and equip the land which will become their second plant in Mexico and will offer 500 direct jobs by the end of 2010. The investment will be channeled in three stages; the first one will focus on buying the land to build the plant, which could be located in northern Mexico, because the company is looking for a site with high advantages for the transportation of raw materials, such as chemical supplies. Pedro Garcia, Corporate Communications Manager for Landsteiner Scientific informed that they are still analyzing where to establish the plant, which will produce around one million 200 thousand medicines, 20% more than their plant in Toluca. Biotechnology medicines will also be developed in the new premises, because this is one of Landsteiner's strategies.

Source: El Financiero

Chihuahua, Chihuahua.- Eight maquiladora companies in the State of Chihuahua received economic resources from the Program to Foster Innovation (Programa de Estímulos a la Innovación) sponsored by the Mexican Council for Science and Technology, Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (Conacyt), the State Government informed. In a meeting held in Chihuahua City, Juan Carlos Romero Hicks, Innovating Business Director for Conacyt, informed that MEP$29 million (US$2.17 million) were granted to several companies here which submitted the corresponding projects. The companies that received support are: Delphi Automotive Systems, Controles de Presion de Ciudad Juarez, Honeywell Manufacturas de Chihuahua, Team Technologies, Siasa del Norte, Quimica Agronomica de Mexico, Closures Interiors and Lacer Construccion, S.A. de C.V.

Source: El Diario

Mexico.- Mexican energy sector is very attractive for investment to global companies in this field, as well as in health and industry, according to Peter Löscher, Siemens President and CEO. Mr. Löscher sees important business perspectives in renewable energies and crude oil and gas transportation; however, he thinks some changes must be made in the sector to increase participation by private companies. Siemens is also forecasting growth in green technologies sector -where they have the largest portfolio- as well as a significant increase in their global share of this type of technologies market.

Source: El Semanario

Tijuana Baja California.- Through a structural growth and development plan, it was in November 2008 when Galber S.A. de C.V. decided to start providing from Tijuana products and services for Electroplating Industry, offering measurement services, high quality, low costs and excellent service to customers in the Region. Tijuana will provide Galber with larger coverage to offer services to its customers, including storage, delivery, measurement and technical services for any business with an Electro-deposit line in their production or maquila processes. Currently located in Finsa Industrial Park, Galber invites to be part of a business strategy contributing with solutions that represent tangible benefits, cutting your company's costs down both in the short and the long terms. A Mexican Company, Galber, S.A. de C.V. was founded in 1971 in Guadalajara and throughout time it has become leader in Mexico in the supply of processes, products and equipment to meet the needs required by electrolytic plating processes. Galber has 38+ years experience in electroplating and polishing.

Source: Siglo 21