On occasion of Mexico’s Independence Day today (September 16), Việt Nam News presents an article written by Mexican Ambassador Sara Valdés.

Mexico and Việt Nam further strengthen relations in 2016

On September 16, Mexico celebrates the 206th anniversary of its Independence. This occasion is also an opportunity to present an overview of some of the country’s achievements under the administration of President Enrique Peña Nieto.

Today Mexico is the largest exporter in Latin America, ranking in 15th place worldwide. While agricultural exports grow steadily, its status as an advanced manufacturing economy should not be neglected: 73.5% of exports of high and medium technology manufactures from Latin America in 2015 were of Mexican origin.

It is indeed one of the most open economies in the world, having Free Trade Agreements with 46 countries and six economic complementation agreements. The Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP), will open trade and investment with six new partners, including Việt Nam.

Mexico attracted 30.285 billion dollars in foreign direct investment in 2015, and according to estimates we will reach a similar figure in 2017. A record high 32 million foreign tourists visited the country in 2015, making it the 9th biggest tourist destination in the world.

Sound macroeconomic policies and structural reforms have contributed greatly to social inclusion. The Prospera (Thrive) social program is supporting 6.8 million families; it includes help for productive projects as well as grants for university students. Citizens over 64 years old are receiving a pension from the Peoples Social Security. 13 thousand communal refectories across the country welcome over one million people for breakfast and lunch every day. A Women Heads of Household’s life insurance protects women and children, as one in three families is in charge of a woman. This is only part of a broader national policy for gender equality implemented by the Mexican Government as a national priority.

Mexico is intensifying its presence as a global responsible player worldwide, creating more opportunities for Mexican nationals; actively participating in the tackling of global challenges and implementing international commitments such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; protecting its nationals abroad, and implementing migration policies aimed at ensuring safe and orderly migration flows.

Mexico will soon ratify the Paris Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The Government has also submitted to the Mexican Senate the TPP agreement for ratification.

Mexico and Việt Viet Nam share common views on global challenges, and both countries are working together to strengthen their 41 years old bilateral relations.

On 7 September, they held the 4th Meeting of the Political Consultations Mechanism on Matters of Mutual Interest, which was established in 2002. The meeting was co-chaired by our relevant Vice-Ministers of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Carlos de Icaza for Mexico, and H.E. Hà Kim Ngọc for Việt Nam.

They reviewed the main items on the bilateral agenda and agreed to join efforts to increase cooperation. They also assessed progress in the negotiations of legal instruments of cooperation in matters including Culture and Education, Fisheries, Animal and Plant Health, Customs, Geographical Indications, as well as for cooperation between State News Agencies (Vietnam News Agency and NOTIMEX). 

The Delegation, headed by the Mexican Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, also held a meeting with H.E. Trần Quốc Khánh, Vice-Minister of Industry and Trade, with whom further trade opportunities were identified. The potential for investment, considering that both countries are signatories of TPP, was discussed as well.

Việt Nam was Mexico’s 8th biggest trade partner in Asia-Pacific in 2015, totaling US$ 3.86 billion. This figure is expected to reach a new record height in 2016. Active people to people exchanges are underway, as the number of tourists visiting the other country has nearly doubled each year since 2014. Meanwhile, business to business ties are further bound as delegations increasingly exchange visits in view of deepening trade and investment.—VNS