Currently released so far... 97115 / 251,287
Articles
Brazil
Sri Lanka
United Kingdom
Sweden
00. Editorial
United States
Latin America
Egypt
Jordan
Yemen
Thailand
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
2011/05/01
2011/05/02
2011/05/03
2011/05/04
2011/05/05
2011/05/06
2011/05/07
2011/05/09
2011/05/10
2011/05/11
2011/05/12
2011/05/13
2011/05/14
2011/05/15
2011/05/16
2011/05/17
2011/05/18
2011/05/19
2011/05/20
2011/05/21
2011/05/22
2011/05/23
2011/05/24
2011/05/25
2011/05/26
2011/05/27
2011/05/28
2011/05/29
2011/05/30
2011/05/31
2011/06/01
2011/06/02
2011/06/03
2011/06/04
2011/06/05
2011/06/06
2011/06/07
2011/06/08
2011/06/09
2011/06/10
2011/06/11
2011/06/12
2011/06/13
2011/06/14
2011/06/15
2011/06/16
2011/06/17
2011/06/18
2011/06/19
2011/06/20
2011/06/21
2011/06/22
2011/06/23
2011/06/24
2011/06/25
2011/06/26
2011/06/27
2011/06/28
2011/06/29
2011/06/30
2011/07/01
2011/07/02
2011/07/04
2011/07/05
2011/07/06
2011/07/07
2011/07/08
2011/07/10
2011/07/11
2011/07/12
2011/07/13
2011/07/14
2011/07/15
2011/07/16
2011/07/17
2011/07/18
2011/07/19
2011/07/20
2011/07/21
2011/07/22
2011/07/23
2011/07/25
2011/07/27
2011/07/28
2011/07/29
2011/07/31
2011/08/01
2011/08/02
2011/08/03
2011/08/05
2011/08/06
2011/08/07
2011/08/08
2011/08/10
2011/08/11
2011/08/12
2011/08/13
2011/08/15
2011/08/16
2011/08/17
2011/08/19
2011/08/21
2011/08/22
2011/08/23
2011/08/24
2011/08/25
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Antananarivo
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Alexandria
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embasy Bonn
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Brazzaville
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangui
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Belfast
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Cotonou
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chiang Mai
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Chengdu
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
DIR FSINFATC
Consulate Dusseldorf
Consulate Durban
Consulate Dubai
Consulate Dhahran
Embassy Guatemala
Embassy Grenada
Embassy Georgetown
Embassy Gaborone
Consulate Guayaquil
Consulate Guangzhou
Consulate Guadalajara
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Hong Kong
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kolonia
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Krakow
Consulate Kolkata
Consulate Karachi
Consulate Kaduna
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Lusaka
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Lome
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy Libreville
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Leipzig
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Mission Geneva
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Mogadishu
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maseru
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Merida
Consulate Melbourne
Consulate Matamoros
Consulate Marseille
Embassy Nouakchott
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Nuevo Laredo
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Consulate Nagoya
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Praia
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Moresby
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Podgorica
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Ponta Delgada
Consulate Peshawar
REO Mosul
REO Kirkuk
REO Hillah
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Surabaya
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy Tirana
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
Consulate Thessaloniki
USUN New York
USMISSION USTR GENEVA
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Mission CD Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
US Delegation FEST TWO
UNVIE
UN Rome
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vientiane
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
AF
ADANA
ASEC
AFIN
AMGT
AE
AORC
AID
AR
AO
AU
ASEAN
AGOA
AFGHANISTAN
AFFAIRS
AMED
APER
ASECARP
APEC
AEMR
AS
AA
ANET
AFLU
ABLD
AL
ASUP
AJ
APECO
AMER
ABUD
AODE
AM
AFSN
AESC
AND
AG
ALOW
AROC
AVIANFLU
ATRN
ACOA
AEGR
AMGMT
AADP
AFSI
ACABQ
APRM
AZ
AIDS
ASE
AGAO
ADCO
ABDALLAH
ARF
AIDAC
ACOTA
ASCH
AC
ASEG
AGR
ACS
AMCHAMS
AN
AMIA
ASIG
ADPM
ADB
ANARCHISTS
ALOWAR
ARM
AUC
AINF
AINT
AORG
AY
AVIAN
AMEDCASCKFLO
AK
ARSO
ARABBL
ASO
ANTITERRORISM
ARABL
AOWC
AGRICULTURE
ALJAZEERA
AMTC
AFINM
AOCR
ABER
ARR
AFPK
ASSEMBLY
ASSK
AZE
AORCYM
AINR
AGMT
AEC
ACKM
APRC
AIN
ASCC
AFPREL
ASED
APERTH
ASFC
ASECTH
AFSA
AOMS
AORCO
ANTXON
ARC
AFAF
ADIP
AIAG
AFARI
AEMED
AORL
AX
ASECAF
AOPC
ASECAFIN
AFZAL
APCS
AMB
AGUIRRE
AEMRASECCASCKFLOMARRPRELPINRAMGTJMXL
AIT
ARCH
AMEX
ALI
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
AORCD
AVIATION
ARAS
AINFCY
ACBAQ
AOPR
AREP
ALEXANDER
ATRD
AEIR
AOIC
ABLDG
ASEX
AFR
ASCE
ATRA
ASEK
AER
ALOUNI
AMCT
AVERY
APR
AMAT
AEMRS
ASPA
AFU
AMG
ATPDEA
ALL
AECL
ACAO
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AORD
AFL
AME
ADM
ASECPHUM
AGIT
ABT
ASECVE
AGUILAR
AT
ABMC
ALZUGUREN
ANGEL
ASR
ANTONIO
BMGT
BEXP
BM
BG
BL
BA
BR
BTA
BO
BY
BBSR
BLUE
BK
BF
BTIO
BELLVIEW
BE
BU
BN
BH
BD
BC
BTC
BILAT
BT
BX
BRUSSELS
BP
BB
BRPA
BUSH
BURMA
BMENA
BESP
BIT
BBG
BGD
BMEAID
BAGHDAD
BEN
BIO
BMOT
BWC
BLUNT
BURNS
BUT
BGMT
BAIO
BCW
BOEHNER
BFIF
BOL
BASHAR
BIMSTEC
BOU
BIDEN
BZ
BFIN
BTRA
BI
BHUM
BOIKO
BERARDUCCI
BOUCHAIB
BORDER
BEXPC
BTIU
BTT
BIOS
BEXB
BGPGOV
BOND
BLR
CE
CG
CH
CVR
CASC
CU
CI
CD
CO
CDG
CB
CJAN
CPAS
COM
CVIS
CMGT
CT
CENTCOM
CNARC
CTERR
COUNTER
CHIEF
CDC
CTR
CBW
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
CY
CA
CM
CS
CWC
CN
CITES
CF
CWG
CIVS
CFIS
CASCC
CROATIA
CONS
COUNTERTERRORISM
CASA
COE
CJ
CHR
CODEL
CR
CBC
CACS
CHERTOFF
CAS
CONTROL
CONDITIONS
CONDOLEEZZA
CITEL
CV
CLINTON
CHG
CZ
CON
CTBT
CEN
CRIMES
COMMERCE
CLOK
CRISTINA
CFED
CARC
CND
CTM
CARICOM
COUNTRYCLEARANCE
CBTH
CHINA
CSW
CICTE
CJUS
CYPRUS
CW
CAMBODIA
CENSUS
CIDA
CRIME
CBG
CBE
CMGMT
CAIO
CEC
CARSON
CPCTC
CEDAW
COMESA
CVIA
CWCM
CEA
COSI
CAPC
CGEN
COPUOS
CGOPRC
COETRD
CKGR
CFE
CQ
CITT
CIC
CARIB
CVIC
CLO
CAFTA
CVISU
CHRISTOPHER
CACM
CIAT
CDB
CIS
CUL
CHAO
CNC
CL
CSEP
COMMAND
CENTER
COL
CAN
CAJC
CUIS
CONSULAR
CLMT
CIA
CBSA
CEUDA
CAC
CROS
CIO
CPUOS
CKOR
CVPR
CONG
CONTROLS
CEPTER
CVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGKIRF
CDCE
DPOL
DEMARCHE
DHS
DR
DA
DISENGAGEMENT
DEMOCRATIC
DEFENSE
DJ
DY
DARFUR
DHRF
DEA
DTRO
DPRK
DO
DARFR
DOC
DRL
DK
DOJ
DTRA
DOMESTIC
DAC
DOD
DEAX
DIEZ
DEOC
DELTAVIOLENCE
DCOM
DMINE
DRC
DCG
DPKO
DOMESTICPOLITICS
DE
DB
DOT
DEPT
DOE
DHLAKAMA
DHSX
DS
DKEM
DAO
DCM
DANIEL
DEM
DAVID
DCRM
ETRD
EAGR
ETTC
EAID
ECON
EFIN
ECIN
EINV
ELAB
EAIR
ENRG
EPET
EWWT
ECPS
EIND
EMIN
ELTN
EC
ETMIN
EUC
EZ
ET
ELECTIONS
ENVR
EU
EUN
EG
EINT
ER
ECONOMICS
ES
EMS
ENIV
EEB
EN
ECE
ECOSOC
EK
ENVIRONMENT
EFIS
EI
EWT
ENGRD
ECPSN
EXIM
EIAD
ERIN
ECPC
EDEV
ENGY
ECTRD
EPA
ESTH
ECCT
EINVECON
ENGR
ERTD
EUR
EAP
EWWC
ELTD
EL
EXIMOPIC
EXTERNAL
ETRDEC
ESCAP
ECO
EGAD
ELNT
ECONOMIC
ENV
ETRN
EIAR
EUMEM
ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID
EREL
ECOM
ECONETRDEAGRJA
ETCC
ETRG
ECONOMY
EMED
ETR
ENERG
EITC
EFINOECD
EURM
EENG
ERA
EXPORT
ENRD
ECONEINVETRDEFINELABETRDKTDBPGOVOPIC
EGEN
EBRD
EVIN
ETRAD
ECOWAS
EFTA
ECONETRDBESPAR
EGOVSY
EPIN
EID
ECONENRG
EDRC
ESENV
ETT
EB
ENER
ELTNSNAR
ECHEVARRIA
ETRC
EPIT
EDUC
ESA
EFI
ENRGY
ESCI
EE
EAIDXMXAXBXFFR
EETC
ECIP
EIAID
EIVN
EBEXP
ESTN
EING
EGOV
ETRA
EPETEIND
ELAN
ETRDGK
EAIDRW
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
EPEC
ENVI
ELN
EAG
EPCS
EPRT
EPTED
ETRB
EUM
EAIDS
EFIC
EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM
EAIDAR
ESF
EIDN
ELAM
EDU
EV
EAIDAF
ECN
EDA
EXBS
EINTECPS
ENRGTRGYETRDBEXPBTIOSZ
EPREL
EAC
EINVEFIN
ETA
EAGER
EINDIR
ECA
ECLAC
ELAP
EITI
EUCOM
ECONEFINETRDPGOVEAGRPTERKTFNKCRMEAID
EARG
ELDIN
EINVKSCA
ENNP
EFINECONCS
EFINTS
ECCP
ETC
EAIRASECCASCID
EINN
ETRP
EAIDNI
EFQ
ECOQKPKO
EGPHUM
EBUD
ECONEINVEFINPGOVIZ
ENERGY
ELB
EINDETRD
EMI
ECONEFIN
EIB
EURN
ETRDEINVTINTCS
EIN
EFIM
ETIO
ELAINE
EMN
EATO
EWTR
EIPR
EINVETC
ETTD
ETDR
EIQ
ECONCS
EPPD
ENRGIZ
EISL
ESPINOSA
ELEC
EAIG
ESLCO
EUREM
ENTG
ERD
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EEPET
EUNCH
ECINECONCS
ETRO
ETRDECONWTOCS
ECUN
EFND
EPECO
EAIRECONRP
ERGR
ETRDPGOV
ECPN
ENRGMO
EPWR
EET
EAIS
EAGRE
EDUARDO
EAGRRP
EAIDPHUMPRELUG
EICN
ECONQH
EVN
EGHG
ELBR
EINF
EAIDHO
EENV
ETEX
ERNG
ED
FR
FREEDOM
FINREF
FJ
FI
FRELIMO
FOREIGN
FAA
FETHI
FAS
FTAA
FRB
FAO
FCS
FINANCE
FWS
FTA
FEMA
FDA
FLU
FRANCISCO
FBI
FORCE
FO
FARC
FK
FT
FCSC
FAC
FM
FMGT
FINV
FCSCEG
FARM
FERNANDO
FINR
FIN
FINE
FIR
FDIC
FOR
FOI
FCUL
FKLU
FMLN
FISO
FIXED
GM
GMUS
GG
GR
GE
GAZA
GT
GH
GZ
GJ
GLOBAL
GV
GABY
GOI
GA
GCC
GB
GY
GATT
GC
GUAM
GEORGE
GTIP
GOV
GOMEZ
GUTIERREZ
GL
GKGIC
GF
GU
GWI
GARCIA
GTMO
GN
GANGS
GIPNC
GAERC
GREGG
GUILLERMO
GASPAR
GERARD
GI
HK
HR
HUMANR
HUMAN
HO
HA
HUMANRIGHTS
HU
HHS
HIV
HUM
HRKAWC
HILLEN
HILLARY
HDP
HUMRIT
HSTC
HUMANITARIAN
HCOPIL
HADLEY
HURI
HL
HRETRD
HOURANI
HG
HARRIET
HESHAM
HI
HNCHR
HARRY
HRECON
HRC
HOSTAGES
HEBRON
HUMOR
HSWG
HYMPSK
HECTOR
HN
HYDE
HUD
HRPGOV
HIGHLIGHTS
ID
ILC
IS
IZ
ICAO
IMO
ITU
IR
IAEA
ICRC
IPROP
IT
IBRD
ISRAELI
IRAQI
ISSUES
ITRA
IV
IO
IGAD
IRAQ
IN
IMF
ICTR
ISCON
IADB
IDB
IEA
INR
IWC
ICCAT
ILO
INMARSAT
IOM
ICJ
IQ
ISPA
ITRD
IPR
INTELSAT
ISN
IAHRC
INTERNAL
IFAD
IICA
IHO
IRAN
IL
IRCE
IC
INTELLECTUAL
IRM
IE
ICTY
IDLI
IFO
ISCA
INF
INL
ISRAEL
INV
IBB
INFLUENZA
ISPL
ITER
ITIA
INRA
ISAF
IACHR
INTERPOL
IFR
IRS
INRB
IEF
ISAAC
ICC
INDO
IIP
IATTC
INAUGURATION
IND
INS
IZPREL
IACI
IEFIN
INNP
ILAB
IA
IMTS
ITALY
ITALIAN
IFIN
IRAJ
IX
ICG
IF
ITPHUM
ITA
IP
IACW
IK
IUCN
IZEAID
IRPE
IDA
ISLAMISTS
ITF
INRO
IBET
IDP
IRC
ISO
ICES
IRMO
ITPGOV
IQNV
IMSO
IRDB
IMET
INCB
IFRC
JA
JO
JP
JM
JCIC
JOHN
JE
JEFFERY
JS
JUS
JN
JOHNNIE
JAMES
JKUS
JOSEPH
JML
JAWAD
JSRP
JIMENEZ
JOSE
JKJUS
JK
JAPAN
KMDR
KPAO
KPKO
KJUS
KCRM
KGHG
KFRD
KWMN
KDEM
KTFN
KHIV
KGIC
KIDE
KSCA
KNNP
KHUM
KIPR
KSUM
KISL
KIRF
KCOR
KRCM
KPAL
KWBG
KN
KS
KOMC
KSEP
KFLU
KPWR
KTIA
KSEO
KMPI
KHLS
KICC
KSTH
KMCA
KVPR
KPRM
KE
KU
KZ
KFLO
KSAF
KTIP
KTEX
KBCT
KOCI
KOLY
KOR
KAWC
KACT
KUNR
KTDB
KSTC
KLIG
KSKN
KNN
KCFE
KCIP
KGHA
KHDP
KPOW
KUNC
KDRL
KV
KPREL
KCRS
KPOL
KRVC
KRIM
KGIT
KWIR
KT
KIRC
KOMO
KRFD
KUWAIT
KG
KFIN
KSCI
KTFIN
KFTN
KGOV
KPRV
KSAC
KGIV
KCRIM
KPIR
KSOC
KBIO
KW
KGLB
KMWN
KPO
KFSC
KSEAO
KSTCPL
KSI
KPRP
KREC
KFPC
KUNH
KCSA
KMRS
KNDP
KR
KICCPUR
KPPAO
KCSY
KTBT
KCIS
KNEP
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KNNB
KGCC
KINR
KPOP
KMFO
KENV
KNAR
KVIR
KDRG
KDMR
KFCE
KNAO
KDEN
KGCN
KICA
KIMMITT
KMCC
KLFU
KMSG
KSEC
KUM
KCUL
KMNP
KSMT
KCOM
KOMCSG
KSPR
KPMI
KRAD
KIND
KCRP
KAUST
KWAWC
KTER
KCHG
KRDP
KPAS
KITA
KTSC
KPAOPREL
KWGB
KIRP
KJUST
KMIG
KLAB
KTFR
KSEI
KSTT
KAPO
KSTS
KLSO
KWNN
KPOA
KHSA
KNPP
KPAONZ
KBTS
KWWW
KY
KJRE
KPAOKMDRKE
KCRCM
KSCS
KWMNCI
KESO
KWUN
KPLS
KIIP
KEDEM
KPAOY
KRIF
KGICKS
KREF
KTRD
KFRDSOCIRO
KTAO
KJU
KWMNPHUMPRELKPAOZW
KEN
KO
KNEI
KEMR
KKIV
KEAI
KWAC
KRCIM
KWCI
KFIU
KWIC
KCORR
KOMS
KNNO
KPAI
KBWG
KTTB
KTBD
KTIALG
KILS
KFEM
KTDM
KESS
KNUC
KPA
KOMCCO
KCEM
KRCS
KWBGSY
KNPPIS
KNNPMNUC
KWN
KERG
KLTN
KALM
KCCP
KSUMPHUM
KREL
KGH
KLIP
KTLA
KAWK
KWMM
KVRP
KVRC
KAID
KSLG
KDEMK
KX
KIF
KNPR
KCFC
KFTFN
KTFM
KPDD
KCERS
KMOC
KDEMAF
KMEPI
KEMS
KDRM
KEPREL
KBTR
KEDU
KNP
KIRL
KNNR
KMPT
KISLPINR
KTPN
KA
KJUSTH
KPIN
KDEV
KTDD
KAKA
KFRP
KWNM
KTSD
KINL
KJUSKUNR
KWWMN
KECF
KWBC
KPRO
KVBL
KOM
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KEDM
KFLD
KLPM
KRGY
KNNF
KICR
KIFR
KM
KWMNCS
KAWS
KLAP
KPAK
KDDG
KCGC
KID
KNSD
KMPF
KPFO
KDP
KCMR
KRMS
KNPT
KNNNP
KTIAPARM
KDTB
KNUP
KPGOV
KNAP
KNNC
KUK
KSRE
KREISLER
KIVP
KQ
KTIAEUN
KPALAOIS
KRM
KISLAO
KWM
KFLOA
LE
LU
LH
LA
LG
LO
LY
LANTERN
LI
LABOR
LORAN
LTTE
LT
LAS
LAB
LAW
LVPR
LARREA
LEBIK
LAURA
LS
LOTT
LOVE
LR
LEON
LAVIN
LGAT
LV
LAOS
LOG
LN
LB
MOPS
MO
MARR
ML
MASS
MZ
MR
MNUC
MX
MV
MCC
MY
MEDIA
MTCRE
MG
MCAP
MOPPS
MP
MI
MK
MC
MD
MA
MU
MASC
MW
MT
MEPP
MN
MTCR
MH
MEPI
MIL
MNUCPTEREZ
MMAR
MICHAEL
MUNC
MDC
MPOS
MONUC
MAR
MGMT
MAS
MEPN
MENDIETA
MARIA
MONTENEGRO
MOOPS
MSG
MARITIME
MURRAY
MUKASEY
MOTO
MCA
MFO
MEX
MRSEC
MMED
MACP
MAAR
MINUSTAH
MCCONNELL
MAPP
MGT
MARQUEZ
MANUEL
MNUR
MCCAIN
MF
MOHAMMAD
MOHAMED
MNU
MFA
MILITANTS
MINORITIES
MTS
MLS
MILI
MIAH
MEETINGS
MERCOSUR
MED
MARAD
MNVC
MINURSO
MNUCUN
MIK
MARK
MBM
MPP
MILITARY
MAPS
MNUK
MILA
MTRRE
MACEDONIA
MICHEL
MASSMNUC
MUCN
MQADHAFI
MPS
MARRGH
MRCRE
MTRE
MORALES
MAP
MCTRE
MHUC
MOPSGRPARM
MOROCCO
MCAPS
NL
NU
NS
NI
NPT
NATO
NO
NG
NATEU
NSF
NZ
NAS
NP
NDP
NLD
NGO
NEPAD
NAFTA
NASA
NEA
NGUYEN
NIH
NK
NIPP
NONE
NR
NANCY
NEGROPONTE
NRR
NERG
NSSP
NSG
NSFO
NE
NATSIOS
NFSO
NATIONAL
NTDB
NT
NCD
NTSB
NRC
NELSON
NAM
NH
NPG
NEC
NSC
NFATC
NMFS
NATOIRAQ
NAR
NZUS
NARC
NCCC
NA
NC
NEW
NRG
NUIN
NOVO
NATOPREL
NEY
NV
NICHOLAS
NPA
NW
NARCOTICS
NORAD
NOAA
NON
NTTC
NKNNP
NMNUC
NUMBERING
ODIP
OIIP
OPRC
OSCE
OREP
OTRA
OPET
OSCI
OVIP
OECD
OCII
OUALI
OPDC
OEXC
OFPD
OPIC
OFDP
OPCW
OECV
OAS
OM
OMIG
ODAG
OPREP
ORA
OIC
OEXCSCULKPAO
OIG
OASS
OFFICIALS
ORTA
OSAC
OIL
OIE
OEXP
OPEC
OPDAT
OMS
OES
OHI
OMAR
OCRA
OFSO
OCBD
OSTA
OAO
ONA
OTP
ORC
OAU
OXEC
OA
ODPC
OPDP
OVIPPRELUNGANU
OASC
OSHA
OPCD
OTR
OPPI
OPCR
OF
OFDPQIS
OSIC
OHUM
OSTRA
OASCC
OBSP
OFDA
OPICEAGR
OIM
OGAC
OTA
OTRAORP
OPPC
OESC
OCEA
OVP
ON
OPAD
OTAR
OCS
ODC
OTRD
OCED
OSD
ORUE
OREG
PHUM
PINR
PTER
PGOV
PREL
PREF
PL
PM
PHSA
PE
PARM
PINS
PK
PUNE
PO
PALESTINIAN
PU
PBTS
PROP
PTBS
POL
POLI
PA
PGOVZI
POLMIL
POLITICAL
PARTIES
POLM
PD
POLITICS
POLICY
PAS
PMIL
PINT
PNAT
PV
PKO
PPOL
PERSONS
PING
PBIO
PH
PETR
PARMS
PRES
PCON
PETERS
PRELBR
PT
PLAB
PP
PAK
PDEM
PKPA
PSOCI
PF
PLO
PTERM
PJUS
PSOE
PELOSI
PROPERTY
PGOVPREL
PARP
PRL
PNIR
PHUMKPAL
PG
PREZ
PGIC
PBOV
PAO
PKK
PROV
PHSAK
PHUMPREL
PROTECTION
PGOVBL
PSI
PRELPK
PGOVENRG
PUM
PRELKPKO
PATTY
PSOC
PRIVATIZATION
PRELSP
PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ
PMIG
PREC
PAIGH
PROG
PSHA
PARK
PETER
POG
PHUS
PPREL
PS
PTERPREL
PRELPGOV
POV
PKPO
PGOVECON
POUS
PGOVPRELPHUMPREFSMIGELABEAIDKCRMKWMN
PWBG
PMAR
PREM
PAR
PNR
PRELPGOVEAIDECONEINVBEXPSCULOIIPBTIO
PARMIR
PGOVGM
PHUH
PARTM
PN
PRE
PTE
PY
POLUN
PPEL
PDOV
PGOVSOCI
PIRF
PGOVPM
PBST
PRELEVU
PGOR
PBTSRU
PRM
PRELKPAOIZ
PGVO
PERL
PGOC
PAGR
PMIN
PHUMR
PVIP
PPD
PGV
PRAM
PINL
PKPAL
PTERE
PGOF
PINO
PHAS
PODC
PRHUM
PHUMA
PREO
PPA
PEPFAR
PGO
PRGOV
PAC
PRESL
PORG
PKFK
PEPR
PRELP
PREFA
PNG
PGOVPHUMKPAO
PRELECON
PINOCHET
PFOR
PGOVLO
PHUMBA
PRELC
PREK
PHUME
PHJM
POLINT
PGOVPZ
PGOVKCRM
PGOVE
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PECON
PEACE
PROCESS
PLN
PRELSW
PAHO
PEDRO
PRELA
PASS
PPAO
PGPV
PNUM
PCUL
PGGV
PSA
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PGIV
PRFE
POGOV
PEL
PBT
PAMQ
PINF
PSEPC
POSTS
PHUMPGOV
PVOV
PHSAPREL
PROLIFERATION
PENA
PRELTBIOBA
PIN
PRELL
PGOVPTER
PHAM
PHYTRP
PTEL
PTERPGOV
PHARM
PROTESTS
PRELAF
PKBL
PRELKPAO
PKNP
PARMP
PHUML
PFOV
PERM
PUOS
PRELGOV
PHUMPTER
PARAGRAPH
PERURENA
PBTSEWWT
PCI
PETROL
PINSO
PINSCE
PQL
PEREZ
PBS
RS
REFUGEES
RW
RP
RELFREE
RO
REGIONAL
RIGHTS
REACTION
REPORT
RU
RENAMO
RIGHTSPOLMIL
REFORM
RM
REFUGEE
REL
RELATIONS
ROW
RREL
REGION
RATIFICATION
RBI
RICE
ROOD
RODENAS
RUIZ
RODHAM
ROBERT
RGY
ROY
REUBEN
RELIGIOUS
RUEHZO
RODRIGUEZ
RUEUN
RELAM
RSP
RF
RSO
RCMP
REO
ROSS
RPTS
RENE
REID
RUPREL
RMA
RI
REMON
RPEL
RFE
RFIN
RA
RAFAEL
RAY
RUS
RPREL
ROBERTG
RECIN
RAMONTEIJELO
SNAR
SP
SN
SMIG
SL
SOCI
SU
SG
SF
SENV
SZ
SOE
SCUL
SY
SO
SR
SYR
SE
SA
SW
SIPDIS
SCIENCE
SADC
SI
SCI
SOCIETY
SC
SAARC
STR
SECRETARY
SANC
SSH
ST
SNA
SGWI
SEP
SOCIS
SETTLEMENTS
SPECIALIST
SK
SHUM
START
STET
SCVL
SREF
SCHUL
SCUIL
SYRIA
SECURITY
SPCE
SYAI
SMIL
SOWGC
STEPHEN
SNRV
SKCA
SENSITIVE
SECI
SNAP
SPP
SCUD
SOM
SPECI
SMIGBG
SENC
SCRM
SGNV
SECTOR
SENVEAGREAIDTBIOECONSOCIXR
SENVSXE
SASIAIN
SACU
SENVSPL
SWMN
STEINBERG
SOPN
SOCR
SCOI
SCRS
SILVASANDE
SWE
SARS
SNARIZ
SUDAN
SENVQGR
SM
SNARKTFN
SAAD
SD
SAN
SIPRNET
STATE
SENS
SUBJECT
SFNV
SECSTATE
SSA
SPCVIS
SOI
SOFA
SCULKPAOECONTU
SPTER
SKSAF
SENVKGHG
SHI
SEVN
SANR
SPSTATE
SMITH
SCOM
SH
SNARCS
SNARN
SIPRS
SNARM
SIPDI
SCPR
SNIG
SELAB
SULLIVAN
SENVENV
SECDEF
SOLIC
SOIC
SPAS
SASC
SOSI
SEC
SEN
SENVCASCEAIDID
TU
TH
TW
TSPA
TRGY
TPHY
TBIO
TIFA
TS
TZ
TX
TSPL
TT
TK
TC
TINT
TERFIN
TERRORISM
TIP
TURKEY
TI
TECHNOLOGY
TNGD
TRSY
TRAFFICKING
TOPEC
TPSL
TP
TD
TR
TA
TIO
TREATY
TO
THPY
TECH
TRADE
TPSA
TG
TAGS
TF
TRAD
THKSJA
TVBIO
TNDG
TN
TBIOZK
TWI
TV
TWL
TRT
TWRO
TSRY
TTPGOV
TAUSCHER
TRBY
TRBIO
TL
TPKO
TIA
TGRY
TSPAM
TREL
TNAR
TBI
TFIN
TPHYPA
TWCH
THOMMA
THOMAS
TERROR
TRY
TBID
TPP
TE
THANH
TJ
TBKIO
UNGA
USUN
UN
UG
UNSC
UK
UP
US
UNCTAD
UNVIE
UNHRC
USTR
UNAMA
UNCRIME
UNESCO
UV
UNDP
UNHCR
UNCSD
UNCHR
UZ
USAID
UNEP
UNO
UNPUOS
UY
UNDC
UNCITRAL
UNAUS
UNCND
UA
UNMIK
USTDA
USEU
USDA
UNICEF
UR
UNFICYP
USNC
USTRRP
UNODC
UNRWA
UNOMIG
USTRPS
USAU
USCC
UNEF
UNGAPL
UNFPA
UNSCE
USSC
UGA
UEU
UNMIC
UNTAC
UNION
UNCLASSIFIED
USPS
UNA
UMIK
USOAS
UNMOVIC
UNFA
UNAIDS
UNCHC
USGS
UNSE
UNRCR
UNTERR
USG
UE
UAE
UNWRA
UNCSW
UNSCR
UNCHS
UNDESCO
UNPAR
UNC
UB
UNSCS
UKXG
UNGACG
UNREST
UNHR
USPTO
UNFCYP
USCG
UNIDROIT
UNSCD
UPU
UNBRO
UNECE
USTRUWR
UNCC
UNESCOSCULPRELPHUMKPALCUIRXFVEKV
VM
VE
VT
VETTING
VN
VZ
VIS
VC
VTPREL
VIP
VTEAID
VTEG
VOA
VA
VTIZ
VANG
VISIT
VO
VENZ
VAT
VI
VEPREL
VEN
WFP
WTO
WHO
WTRO
WBG
WMO
WIPO
WA
WI
WSIS
WHA
WCL
WE
WMN
WEBZ
WS
WAR
WZ
WMD
WW
WILLIAM
WEET
WAEMU
WM
WWBG
WWT
WWARD
WITH
WMDT
WTRQ
WCO
WEU
WALTER
WRTO
WB
WHTI
WBEG
WCI
WEF
WAKI
WHOA
WGC
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 08MEXICO152, MEXICO'S 2008 INVESTMENT CLIMATE STATEMENT -- PART 2 OF 2
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #08MEXICO152.
| Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08MEXICO152 | 2008-01-22 16:19 | 2011-08-25 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Mexico |
VZCZCXRO8098
PP RUEHCD RUEHGD RUEHHO RUEHMC RUEHNG RUEHNL RUEHRD RUEHRS RUEHTM
DE RUEHME #0152/01 0221619
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 221619Z JAN 08
FM AMEMBASSY MEXICO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0191
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUCPCIM/CIMS NTDB WASHDC PRIORITY
INFO RUEHXC/ALL US CONSULATES IN MEXICO COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC PRIORITY
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 07 MEXICO 000152
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EB/IFD/OIA AND WHA/MEX
STATE PLEASE PASS TO USTR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPIC KTDB USTR EINV MX
SUBJECT: MEXICO'S 2008 INVESTMENT CLIMATE STATEMENT -- PART 2 OF 2
REF: 07 SECSTATE 158802
This is part two of a two part cable that provides text for the 2008
Mexico Investment Climate Statement.
---
Protection of Property Rights
Two different laws provide the core legal basis for protection of
intellectual property rights (IPR) in Mexico -- the Industrial Property
Law (Ley de Propiedad Industrial) and the Federal Copyright Law (Ley
Federal del Derecho de Autor). Multiple federal agencies are
responsible for various aspects of IPR protection in Mexico. The
Office of the Attorney General (Procuraduria General de la Republica,
or PGR) has a specialized unit that pursues criminal IPR
investigations. The Mexican Institute of Industrial Property
(Instituto Mexicano de la Propiedad Industrial, or IMPI) administers
Mexico's trademark and patent registries and is responsible for
handling administrative cases of IPR infringement. The National
Institute of Author Rights (Instituto Nacional del Derecho de Autor)
administers Mexico's copyright register and also provides legal advice
and mediation services to copyright owners who believe their rights
have been infringed. The Mexican Customs Service (Aduana Mexico) plays
a key role in ensuring that illegal goods do not cross Mexico's
borders.
Despite strengthened enforcement efforts by Mexico's federal
authorities over the past several years, weak penalties and other
obstacles to effective IPR protection have failed to deter the rampant
piracy and counterfeiting found throughout the country. The U.S.
Government continues to work with its Mexican counterparts to improve
the business climate for owners of intellectual property. Please refer
to the Embassy's IPR Toolkit for more information:
http://mexico.usembassy.gov/mexico/IPR.html
Mexico is a signatory of at least fifteen international treaties,
including the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial
Property, the NAFTA, and the WTO Agreement on Trade-related Aspects of
Intellectual Property Rights. Though Mexico signed the Patent
Cooperation Treaty in Geneva, Switzerland in 1994, which allows for
simplified patent registration procedure when applying for patents in
more than one country at the same time, it is necessary to register any
patent or trademark in Mexico in order to claim an exclusive right to
any given product. A prior registration in the United States does not
guarantee its exclusivity and proper use in Mexico, but serves merely
as support for the authenticity of any claim you might make, should you
take legal action in Mexico.
An English-language overview of Mexico's IPR regime can be found on the
WIPO website at: http://www.wipo.int/about-ip/en/ipworldwide/p df/mx.pdf
Although a firm or individual may apply directly, most foreign firms
hire local law firms specializing in intellectual property. The U.S.
Embassy's Commercial Section maintains a list of such law firms in
Mexico at:
http://www.buyusa.gov/mexico/en/business_serv ice_providers.html
Transparency of Regulatory System
The Federal Commission on Regulatory Improvement (COFEMER) under the
management of the Secretariat of Economy is the agency responsible for
reducing the regulatory burden on business. The Mexican government has
made progress in the last few years. On a quarterly basis, these
agencies must report to the Presidency on progress achieved toward
Presidential goals for reducing the regulatory burden. In December
2006, President Calderon replaced the Regulatory Moratorium Agreement,
issued by the previous administration to ensure agencies streamline
their regulatory promulgation processes, with the Quality Regulatory
Agreement. The new agreement intends to allow the creation of new
regulations only when agencies prove that they are needed because of an
emergency, because of the need to comply with international
commitments, or because of obligations established by law.
The federal law on administrative procedures has been a significant
investment policy accomplishment. The law requires all regulatory
agencies to prepare an impact statement for new regulations, which must
include detailed information on the problem being addressed, the
proposed solutions, the alternatives considered, and the quantitative
and qualitative costs and benefits and any changes in the amount of
paperwork businesses would face if a proposed regulation is to be
implemented. Despite these measures, many difficulties remain. Foreign
firms continue to list bureaucracy, slow government decision-making,
lack of transparency, a heavy tax burden, and a rigid labor code among
the principal negative factors inhibiting investment in Mexico.
The Secretariat of Public Administration has made considerable strides
MEXICO 00000152 002 OF 007
in improving transparency in government, including government
contracting and involvement of the private sector in enhancing
transparency and fighting corruption. The Mexican government has
established several Internet sites to increase transparency of
government processes and establish guidelines for the conduct of
government officials. "Normateca" provides information on government
regulations; "Compranet" allows for on-line federal government
procurement; "Tramitanet" permits electronic processing of transactions
within the bureaucracy thereby reducing the chances for bribes; and
"Declaranet" allows for on-line filing of income taxes for federal
employees.
Efficient Capital Markets and Portfolio Investment
The Mexican banking sector has strengthened considerably since the 1994
Peso Crisis left it virtually insolvent. Since the crisis, Mexico has
introduced reforms to buttress the banking system and to consolidate
financial stability. These reforms include creating a more favorable
economic and regulatory environment to foster banking sector growth by
reforming bankruptcy and lending laws, moving pension fund
administration to the private sector, and raising the maximum foreign
bank participation allowance. The bankruptcy and lending reforms
passed by Congress in 2000 and 2003 effectively made it easier for
creditors to collect debts in cases of insolvency by creating Mexico's
first effective legal framework for the granting of collateral.
Pension reform allows employees to choose their own pension plan.
Allowing banks or their holding companies to manage these funds
provides additional capital to the banking sector, while the increased
competition focuses fund managers on investment returns. In December
2007, the Mexican Congress approved amendments to the Law of Credit
Institutions (LIC) that include creating a new limited banking license
and transferring power from Hacienda to the Banking and Securities
Commission (CNBV), the primary banking regulator.
The financial profile of the banking sector has improved due to the
reduction in the problem assets brought about by write-offs, problem
loan sales, and the conclusion of most debt-relief programs. These
developments, combined with more stringent capital requirements, have
contributed to an improvement in the level and composition of capital
across the banking system, particularly among the larger institutions.
The banking sector remains highly concentrated, with a handful of large
banks controlling a significant market share, and the remainder
comprised of regional players and niche banks. Hacienda has approved
the opening of several new banks since 2006, including Wal-Mart Bank
and Prudential Bank, but the sector's competitive dynamics and credit
quality are still being driven by the six large banks-five of which are
foreign owned. The newcomers are mostly focused on the unbanked
population (D, E market segments) and will present only limited
competition to group of old banks.
Bank lending, especially consumer lending and mortgages, grew rapidly
in 2005 and 2006, fueled by lower interest rates and historically low
inflation. Small- and medium-sized businesses still complain of a lack
of access to credit, but government-owned development banks have
expanded their lending to this sector. Despite the expansion, such
lending remains low as a percentage of GDP. Private banks argue that
due diligence in lending to such business is difficult given the large
amount of revenue they keep off the books to avoid increased tax
liability.
Commercial loans to established companies with well-documented accounts
are available in Mexico, but many large companies utilize retained
earnings to fund growth. Supplier credit is the main source of
financing for many businesses. The largest companies are able to issue
debt for their financing needs, tapping into a growing pool of pension
funds looking for investment options. Non-bank financing is generally
available, however, only to large companies with strong credit ratings
and important commercial ties with their suppliers -- i.e., companies
that could easily procure bank financing.
The Secretariat of Finance and Public Credit sets regulatory policy and
oversees the CNBV . Mexico's central bank, the Bank of Mexico (BOM),
also has a regulatory role in addition to setting monetary policy. The
Institute for the Protection of Bank Savings (IPAB) handles deposit
insurance.
Reforms creating better regulation and supervision of financial
intermediaries and fostering greater competition have helped strengthen
the financial sector and capital markets. These reforms, coupled with
sound macroeconomic fundamentals, have created a positive environment
for the financial sector and capital markets, which have responded
accordingly.
The implementation of NAFTA opened the Mexican financial services
market to U.S. and Canadian firms. Banking institutions from the U.S.
and Canada have a strong market presence, holding approximately 40
MEXICO 00000152 003 OF 007
percent of banking assets (as of June 2006). Under NAFTA's national
treatment guarantee, U.S. securities firms and investment funds, acting
through local subsidiaries, have the right to engage in the full range
of activities permitted in Mexico.
Foreign entities may freely invest in government securities. The
Foreign Investment Law establishes, as a general rule, that foreign
investors may hold 100 percent of the capital stock of any Mexican
corporation or partnership, except in those few areas expressly subject
to limitations under that law (Table I). Regarding restricted
activities, foreign investors may also purchase non-voting shares
through mutual funds, trusts, offshore funds, and American Depositary
Receipts. They also have the right to buy directly limited or
non-voting shares as well as free subscription shares, or "B" shares,
which carry voting rights. Foreigners may purchase an interest in "A"
shares, which are normally reserved for Mexican citizens, through a
neutral fund operated by a Mexican Development Bank. Finally, state
and local governments, and other entities such as water district
authorities, now issue peso-denominated bonds to finance infrastructure
projects. These securities are rated by international credit rating
agencies. This market is growing rapidly and represents an emerging
opportunity for U.S. investors.
Political Violence
Potential investors should not find political violence a source of
major concern. Peaceful mass demonstrations are common in the larger
metropolitan areas such as Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey.
Actual violence generally takes the form of local conflicts and
inter-communal disputes and has occurred mostly in limited regions of
Mexico's southern states. Since the initial January 1994 uprising of
the Zapatista National Liberation Army (EZLN) in the state of Chiapas,
government forces and the EZLN have clashed only once, although Chiapas
has also experienced unrelated local violence. The Popular
Revolutionary Army (EPR) and the Revolutionary Army of the People's
Insurgency (ERPI) emerged in June 1996 and June 1998, respectively.
They have carried out a number of small attacks, principally confined
to the state of Guerrero.
In November 2006, the EPR claimed responsibility for three explosions
in Mexico City, one of which damaged a branch of Scotia Bank. On two
occasions in the summer of 2007, the EPR also claimed responsibility
for bombings of PEMEX pipelines in the states of Guanajuato and
Veracruz. While no injuries were reported, there was extensive
property damage and temporary disruption to flows of oil and natural
gas along damaged pipelines, negatively impacting up to 1000
businesses. Economic losses were reported to be in the hundreds of
millions of dollars.
The last half of 2006 saw intense protests in the state of Oaxaca
demanding, principally, the state governor's resignation. The capital
city of Oaxaca was under siege by demonstrators for more than five
months. Businesses - particularly those in the tourist sector --
reported millions of dollars in losses and many Western countries,
including the United States, issued travel warnings advising their
citizens to avoid the area. At least 11 civilian deaths, including
that of an American journalist, occurred as a direct result of the
violence in Oaxaca and hundreds more were injured and/or arrested.
State police forces were accused of denying due process to protestors
and using excessive force to break-up the demonstrations. In response
to the escalating violence, the federal government sent the sent the
Federal Protective Police to restore order. In 2007 , Oaxaca remained
calm for the most part and experienced only sporadic disturbances.
Narcotics trafficking-related violence is prevalent along the northern
border region of Mexico and has shown signs of spreading to other areas
-- including the states of Guerrero and Michoacan -- as the federal
government has attempted to crack down on the trade. President
Calderon has made fighting organized crime and curbing violence one of
his highest priorities. During 2007 he mounted large-scale military
and federal police operations against criminal organizations in eight
Mexican states and initiated wide-reaching law enforcement and criminal
justice reforms. President Calderon has signaled his commitment to
significantly stepping up cooperation with the US Government on law
enforcement and security issues, particularly in combating illegal
narcotics trafficking. Narcotics-related violence remained
widespread at years-end with more than 2600 individuals (including
close to 250 federal, state and local officials) killed during the
course of the year.
Though not political in nature, the Embassy has noticed that general
security concerns remain an issue for companies looking to invest in
the country. Many companies find it necessary to take extra
precautions for the protection of their executives. They also report
increasing security costs for shipments of goods.. The Overseas
Security Advisory Council (OSAC) monitors and reports on regional
security for American businesses operating overseas. Eligible
companies should become OSAC members. OSAC constituency is available
MEXICO 00000152 004 OF 007
to any American-owned, not-for-profit organization, or any enterprise
incorporated in the U.S. (parent company, not subsidiaries or
divisions) doing business overseas. (https://www.osac.gov/)
Corruption
Corruption has been pervasive in almost all levels of Mexican
government and society. President Calderon has stated that his
government intends to continue the fight against corruption and
government agencies at the federal, state and municipal levels are
engaged in anti-corruption efforts. The Secretariat of Public
Administration has the lead on coordinating government anti-corruption
policy.
Other government entities, such as the Supreme Audit Office of the
Federation (equivalent of the GAO), have been playing a role in
promoting sound financial management and accountable and transparent
government with limited success as most Mexican external audit
institutions (mostly at the state level) lack the operational and
budgetary independence to protect their actions from the political
interests of the legislators they serve. Technical assistance is being
provided to them by USAID to promote the use of modern auditing
practices.
Mexico ratified the OECD convention on combating bribery in May 1999.
The Mexican Congress passed legislation implementing the convention
that same month. The legislation includes provisions making it a
criminal offense to bribe foreign officials. A bribe to a foreign
official cannot be deducted from Mexican taxes. Mexico is also a party
to the OAS Convention against Corruption and is one of 13 countries
that have signed and ratified the United Nations Convention against
Corruption.
The government has enacted strict laws attacking corruption and
bribery, with average penalties of five to ten years in prison. A
Federal Law for Transparency and Access to Public Government
Information Act, the country's first freedom of information act, went
into effect in June 2003 with the aim of increasing government
accountability. With USAID assistance, 20 of Mexico's 31 states have
replicated federal efforts by passing similar freedom of information
legislation, the vast majority of which meets international standards
in this field. Three years after its passage, transparency in public
administration at the federal level has noticeably improved, but access
to information at the state and local level has been slow.
Mexico is ranked 72nd in international NGO Transparency International's
Corruption Perception Index for 2007, on par with China, India, and
Brazil. Local civil society organizations focused on fighting
corruption are still developing in Mexico. The USAID-funded Project
Atlatl has worked to coordinate and promote anti-corruption activities
with Mexican civil society (www.atlatl.com.mx) and other key players in
the anticorruption arena, such as federal and state audit institutions.
The Mexican branch of Transparency International also operates in
Mexico. The best source of Mexican government information on
anti-corruption initiatives is the Secretariat of Public Administration
(www.sfp.gob.mx).
Bilateral Investment Agreements
NAFTA governs U.S. and Canadian investment in Mexico. In addition to
NAFTA, most of Mexico's eleven other free trade agreements (FTAs) cover
investment protection, with a notable exception being the
Mexico-European Union FTA. The network of Mexico's FTAs containing
investment clauses encompasses the countries of Bolivia, Chile, Costa
Rica, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Japan, and Nicaragua.
Mexico has enacted formal bilateral investment protection agreements
with 21 countries: 13 European Union Countries (Austria, Belgium,
Luxemburg, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden), as well as Australia,
Argentina, Cuba, Iceland, Panama, South Korea, Switzerland, and
Uruguay. Agreements with Australia, Iceland and Panama were signed in
2005, but the Senate still has to ratify them. Mexico continues to
negotiate bilateral investment treaties with China and India.
The United States and Mexico have a bilateral tax treaty to avoid
double taxation and prevent tax evasion. Important provisions of the
treaty establish ceilings for Mexican withholding taxes on interest
payments and U.S. withholding taxes on dividend payments. The recent
implementation of the IETU has led to questions as to whether the new
tax meets the requirements of the bilateral tax treaty. As of January
2008, when the tax initially goes into effect, the U.S. Internal
Revenue Service will allow businesses to credit the IETU against their
U.S. taxes. Businesses should monitor this issue as it develops.
Mexico and the United States also have a tax information exchange
agreement to assist the two countries in enforcing their tax laws. The
MEXICO 00000152 005 OF 007
Financial Information Exchange Agreement (FIEA) was enacted in 1995,
pursuant to the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty. The agreements cover
information that may affect the determination, assessment, and
collection of taxes, and investigation and prosecution of tax crimes.
The FIEA permits the exchange of information with respect to large
value or suspicious currency transactions to combat illegal activities,
particularly money laundering. Mexico is a member of the financial
action task force (FATF) of the OECD and has made progress in
strengthening its financial system through specific
anti-money-laundering legislation enacted in 2000 and 2004.
OPIC and Other Investment Insurance Programs
In June 2003, Mexico and the U.S. Overseas Private Investment
Corporation
(OPIC) signed an agreement that enables OPIC to offer all its programs
and services in Mexico. The Mexican Senate approved full OPIC
operations in August of 2004. Since then, OPIC has aggressively
pursued potential investment projects in Mexico. OPIC increased its
support for U.S. investment in Mexico more than tenfold when it
approved 570 million USD in financing for new projects in February of
ΒΆ2005.
OPIC-supported funds are among the largest providers of private equity
capital to emerging markets. Since 1987, OPIC has committed (as of FY
2005) over 2.6 billion USD in funding to 32 private equity funds. The
OPIC funds currently investing in Mexico include Darby-BBVA Latin
America Private Equity Fund, LP with a primary focus on equity
investments in media and communications, transportation, consumer
goods, housing, energy, and non-bank financial services and Latin Power
III, L.P. focusing on equity investments in independent power projects
("IPPs") in Latin America and the Caribbean with a focus on renewable
energy and Mexico.
Details of OPIC programs and recent investment project announcements
can be found at their website: www.opic.gov.
In October 2007, Mexico signed the convention of the World Bank's
Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA).. To complete the
membership process, Mexico needs to pass legislation legalizing
membership, as well as make required capital contributions to the
agency.
Labor
Mexico's Federal Labor Law, enacted in 1931 and revised in 1970, is
based on article 123 of the Mexican constitution. Under the law,
Mexican workers enjoy the rights to associate, collectively bargain,
and strike. The law sets a standard six-day workweek with one paid day
off. For overtime, workers must be paid twice their normal rate and
three times the hourly rate for overtime exceeding nine hours per week.
Employees are entitled to most holidays, paid vacation (after one year
of service), vacation bonuses, and an annual bonus equivalent to at
least two weeks pay. Companies are also responsible for these
additional costs. These costs usually add about 30 to 35 percent to
the average employees' salary. Employers must also contribute a
tax-deductible two percent of each employee's salary into an individual
retirement account. Most employers are required to distribute ten
percent of their pre-tax profits for profit sharing. Speaking on
behald of the current administration the Labor Secretary has repeatedly
affirmed that labor reform is and remains one of the top priorities of
President Calderon's government.
There is a large surplus of labor in the formal economy, largely
composed of low-skilled or unskilled workers. On the other hand, there
is a shortage of technically skilled workers and engineers.
Labor-management relations are uneven, depending upon the unions
holding contracts and the industry concerned. Mexican manufacturing
operations are experiencing stiff wage competition from Central
America, China, India, and elsewhere in low technology work, such as
textile and garment manufacture.
For the past few years, with the possible exception of the mining
industry, strikes have been limited and usually settled quickly.
Strikes that are more difficult will usually draw government mediators
to help the settlement process. Independent unions have been playing
an increasingly significant role, particularly since the formation of
the new Labor Federation (National Union of Workers) in November 1997.
Information on unions registered with federal labor authorities is
supposed to be available to the public via Internet (www.stps.gob.mx),
but this database is incomplete.
Foreign-Trade Zones/Free Ports
In addition to the IMMEX programs that operate as quasi-free trade
zones, in 2002 Mexico approved the operation of more traditional free
trade zones (FTZ). Unlike the previous "bonded" areas that only allowed
MEXICO 00000152 006 OF 007
for warehousing of product for short periods, the new FTZ regime allows
for manufacturing, repair, distribution, and sale of merchandise. There
is no export requirement for companies operating within the zone to
avail themselves of tax benefits. Regulatory guidance for the new
regime is still being amended; therefore investors should consult a tax
lawyer for detailed information. Most major ports in Mexico have bonded
areas ("recinto fiscalizados") or customs agents ("recintos fiscal")
within them. There are currently two approved FTZ's, both operating in
San Luis Potosi. The first major plant in the FTZ is currently under
construction. Several states have filed to convert their bonded areas
into Free Trade Zones.
Foreign Direct Investment Statistics
Foreign Direct Investment in Mexico
(USD Million)
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007*
Total FDI Inflow: 16,589 22,777 20,960 19,212 18,397
-New Investments 7,245 13,791 10,952 7,406 7,307
-Earnings Reinvestment 2,073 2,337 3,471 4,167 3,985
-Inter-company Investment 7,271 6,649 6,537 7,639 7,105
Foreign Direct Investment Realized in Mexico By Industrial
Sector Destination (USD Million)
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007*
Inflow Total 16,589 22,777 20,960 16,909 15,097
Agriculture 12 17 5 20 (4)
Extractive 84 173 194 335 1,017
Manufacturing 7,550 12,964 11,935 9,379 7,714
Electricity and Water 323 202 192 (96) 90
Construction 81 390 282 349 253
Retail 1,434 1,237 2,869 537 858
Transport and Communication
2,216 1,254 1,427 760 428
Financial Services 2,900 5,581 1,208 2,752 3,699
Others 1,990 959 2,84 2,874 1,043
Foreign Direct Investment Inflows Realized By Country/Economy
of Origin (USD Million)
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007* 5 year
Totals
Total Inflow 16.589 22,777 20,960 16,909 15,097 92,332
United States 9,281 8,511 10,512 10,830 7,612 46,746
Spain 3,002 7,436 1,473 624 1,485 14,020
Holland 892 3,329 2,431 3,091 1,905 11,649
France 530 170 553 697 1,408 3358.16
United Kingdom 1,074 140 985 788 69 3055
Virgin Islands (6) 56 2,051 281 383 2765
Canada 262 490 414 527 366 2060
Switzerland 286 1,135 180 356 14 1970
Germany 466 400 339 81 232 1518
Argentina 3 10 541 22 16 592
South Korea 57 34 95 43 16 245
Brazil 19 48 49 41 16 174
Taiwan 10 8 16 22 5 61
China 26 12 5 4 2 49
Japan 122 363 115 (1479) 74.55 (804)
Notes FDI Investment Charts: 1) Sources: Inflow - Mexican Secretariat
of Economy, Director General of Foreign Investment 2) Period: 2007 data
January through September 3) Data: Millions of U.S. Dollars (USD),
unless noted. 4) The Secretariat of Economy has recalculated values
for past years. All values for past years are the most up to date data
provided by the Secretariat of Economy. 5) With the passage of the
IMMEX law integrating Maquila and Pitex industries, "Maquiladora
Investment in Fixed Assets is no longer reported separately and is
included in the category "Inter-company Investments) 6) Yearly amounts
may differ from 5 year totals due to rounding error. 7) The total FDI
inflow for 2006 and 2007 by sector and country is less than the total
FDI in Mexico because it does not include an estimate that has been
reported in the total FDI.
FDI INFLOW AS A PERCENTAGE OF GDP
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
GDP 639,100 683,500 767,700 840,000 878,900
FDI Inflow 16,589 22,777 20,960 19,212 23,000
Percent of GDP 2.6 3.3 2.7 2.3 2.6
Notes on "FDI as a Percentage of GDP" chart: 1) GDP figures are taken
from the Mexican Statistics Agency, INEGI. Figures in millions of
dollars at current market prices. 2) 2007 GDP is an estimate using a 3
percent growth rate. 3) FDI for 2006 includes estimate from
Secretariat of Economy. 4) FDI is 12 month 2007 Secretariat of Economy
SIPDIS
estimate.
MEXICO 00000152 007 OF 007
U.S. FDI Flow and Stock in Mexico (USD Millions)
2003 2004 2005 2006
U.S. FDI flow in Mexico 3,664 7,712 7,385 10,645
U.S. FDI Stock in Mexico 56,851 66,428 75,106 84,699
Notes U.S. FDI Flow and stock in Mexico chart: 1) Source: U.S.
Department of Commerce Bureau of Economic Analysis
Mexico FDI Flow and Stock in U.S. (USD Millions)
2003 2004 2005 2006
Mexico FDI flow in U.S. 2,173 (629) 142 2,387
Mexico FDI Stock in U.S. 9,022 7,592 3,806 6,075
Notes U.S. FDI Flow and stock in Mexico chart: 1) Source: U.S.
Department of Commerce Bureau of Economic Analysis
In 2007 there were several large foreign investments in Mexico by U.S.
and other nations' companies, including:
1) Union Fenosa (Spanish) invested 2.5 billion USD in Mexico's energy
sector (electricity and LNG)
2) Members of the Global Business Council, which include companies such
as American Express, Mitsubishi, Sabritas, and PepsiCo, invested a
combined 3 billion USD and created 10,000 jobs
3) Wal-mart invested approximately 1 billion USD
4) Michelin will invest 740 million USD in the coming four years to
construct a plant in Silao, Guanajuato.
5) DaimlerChrysler will invest 450 million USD.
6) Holcim Apasco will invest 400 million USD to construct a plant in
Hermosillo.
Siemens USD 150 million
7) Bridgeton will invest 300 million USD in the states of Tamaulipas
and Nuevo Leon
8) Hershey will invest 275 million USD in Nuevo Leon
Web Resources
ProMexico: http://www.investinmexico.com.mx
Secretariat of the Economy: http://www.economia.gob.mx
SIPDIS
National Infrastructure Plan: http://www.infraestructura.gob.mx
Department of State, Office of Legal Advisor: http://www.state.gov/s/l/
Mexican Development Bank: http://www.nafin.gob.mx
Mexican Foreign Trade Bank: http://www.bancomext.gob.mx
Mexican Civil Society: http://www.atlatl.com.mx
Overseas Private Investment Corporation: http://www.opic.gov
Overseas Security Advisory Council: http://www.osac.gov
Secretariat of Labor and Social Security: http://www.stps.gob.mx
SIPDIS
United States Department of Commerce Bureau of Economic Analysis:
http://www.bea.doc.gov/