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 08MEXICO96, MEXICO'S 2008 INVESTMENT CLIMATE STATEMENT -- PART
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. #08MEXICO96.
| Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08MEXICO96 | 2008-01-14 17:47 | 2011-08-25 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Mexico |
VZCZCXRO1757
PP RUEHCD RUEHGD RUEHHO RUEHMC RUEHNG RUEHNL RUEHRD RUEHRS RUEHTM
DE RUEHME #0096/01 0141747
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 141747Z JAN 08
FM AMEMBASSY MEXICO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0143
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 000096
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
1 OF 2
REF: 07 SECSTATE 158802
This part one of a two part cable that provides text for the
2008 Mexico Investment Climate Statement.
------------------------------
Openness to Foreign Investment
Mexico is open to foreign direct investment (FDI) in most
economic sectors and has consistently been one of the
largest recipients of FDI among emerging markets. In recent
years, Mexico has become increasingly aware of its loss of
competitiveness relative to other emerging economies, notably
China and India, as it had failed to address serious crime
and safety issues or pass much needed reforms. Recent
government efforts against organized crime, as well as
successes in the reform agenda, have improved business
confidence, underpinning increases in foreign investment.
Mexico will have to continue this progress to regain
competitiveness as a FDI destination, particularly for
non-U.S. investors.
Foreign investment in Mexico has largely been concentrated in
the northern states close to the U.S. border where most
maquiladoras are located, and in the Federal District (Mexico
City) and surrounding states. The Yucatan peninsula,
historically an area for tourism investment, has seen
industry in other sectors grow due in part to the ability to
quickly send goods from its ports to the United States.
Financial services, automotive and electronic sectors have
received the largest amounts of FDI. Historically, the United
States has been the largest source of FDI in Mexico. As of
September, U.S. investors had provided 50.4 percent of 2007
FDI.
On June 13, 2007, President Calderon created ProMexico, a
federal entity charged with promoting Mexican exports around
the world and attracting foreign direct investment to Mexico.
Through ProMexico, federal and state government efforts as
well as related private sector activities, are coordinated
with a goal of harmonizing programs, strategies and resources
aimed at common objectives and priorities while supporting
the globalization of Mexico's economy. ProMexico maintains
an extensive network of offices abroad as well as a
multi-lingual website (http://www.investinmexico.com.mx)
which provides information on establishing a corporation,
rules of origin, labor issues, owning real estate in Mexico,
the maquiladora industry, and sectorial promotion plans,
among other topics.
The Secretariat of Economy (SECON) also maintains a bilingual
website (www.economia.gob.mx) offering an array of
information, forms, links and transactions. Among other
options, interested parties can download import/export permit
applications, make on-line tax payments, and chat with
on-line advisors who can answer specific investment and trade
related questions. State governments have also passed small
business facilitation measures to make it easier to open
businesses.
Despite progress however, according to a World Bank study, it
takes on average 27 days to complete all paperwork required
to start a business in Mexico; compared to an average OECD
figure of 15 days. The Embassy advises potential investors to
contact ProMexico for detailed information on investing in
Mexico.
The 1993 Foreign Investment Law is the basic statute
governing foreign investment in Mexico. The law is consistent
with the foreign investment chapter of NAFTA (the North
American Free Trade Agreement). It provides national (i.e.
non-discriminatory) treatment for most foreign investment,
eliminates performance requirements for most foreign
investment projects, and liberalizes criteria for automatic
approval of foreign investment.
The Foreign Investment Law identifies 704 activities, 656 of
which are open for 100 percent FDI stakes. There are 18
activities in which foreigners may only invest 49 percent; 13
of which require Foreign Investment National Commission
approval for a 100 percent stake; 5 reserved for Mexican
nationals; and 10 reserved for the Mexican state. Below is a
summary of activities subject to investment restrictions.
TABLE I
MEXICO 00000096 002 OF 007
SECTION 1: SECTORS RESERVED FOR THE STATE IN WHOLE OR IN PART:
A) Petroleum and other hydrocarbons;
B) Basic petrochemicals;
C) Telegraphic and radio telegraphic services;
D) Radioactive materials;
E) Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution;
F) Nuclear energy;
G) Coinage and printing of money;
H) Postal service;
I) Airports;
J) Control, supervision and surveillance of ports and
heliports.
SECTION 2: SECTORS RESERVED FOR MEXICAN NATIONALS:
A) Retail sales of gasoline and liquid petroleum gas;
B) Non-cable radio and television services;
C) Credit Unions, Savings and Loan Institutions, and
Development Banks;
D) Certain professional and technical services;
E) Domestic transportation for passengers, tourism and
freight, except for messenger or package delivery services.
U.S. and Canadian investors generally receive national and
most-favored-nation treatment in setting up operations or
acquiring firms. Exceptions exist for investments for which
the Government of Mexico recorded its intent in NAFTA to
restrict certain industries to Mexican nationals. U.S. and
Canadian companies have the right under NAFTA to
international arbitration and the right to transfer funds
without restrictions. NAFTA also eliminated some barriers to
investment in Mexico, such as trade balancing and domestic
content requirements. Local governments must also accord
national treatment to investors from NAFTA countries. Mexico
is also a party to several OECD agreements covering foreign
investment, notably the Code of Liberalization of Capital
Movements and the National Treatment Instrument.
Approximately 95 percent of all foreign investment
transactions do not require government approval. Foreign
investments requiring applications and not exceeding USD 165
million are automatically approved, unless the proposed
investment is in a sector subject to restrictions by the
Mexican constitution and Foreign Investment Law that reserve
certain sectors for the state and Mexican nationals (see
Table 1). The National Foreign Investment Commission
determines whether investments in restricted sectors may go
forward and has 45 working days to make a decision. Criteria
for approval include employment and training considerations,
technological contributions, and contributions to
productivity and competitiveness. The Commission may reject
applications to acquire Mexican companies for national
security reasons. The Secretariat of Foreign Relations (SRE)
must issue a permit for foreigners to establish or change the
nature of Mexican companies.
Despite Mexico's relatively open economy, a number of key
sectors in Mexico continue to be characterized by a high
degree of market concentration. For example, the
telecommunications, electricity, television broadcasting,
petroleum, beer, and tortilla sectors feature one or two or
several dominant companies (some private, others public) with
enough market power to restrict competition. The Mexican
Congress strengthened the enforcement powers of the Federal
Competition Commission (CFC) in 2006 and is considering
stiffer penalties for anti-competitive conduct, but the CFC
remains weak relative to its OECD counterparts in terms of
enforcement. CFC Commissioner Eduardo Perez Motta and
leading members of the Calderon Administration, including the
President, have publicly committed to opening up the Mexican
economy to greater competition. For more information on
competition issues in Mexico visit CFC,s bilingual website
at: www.cfc.gob.mx
Energy
------
The Mexican constitution reserves ownership of petroleum and
other hydrocarbon reserves for the Mexican state. Oil and gas
exploration and production efforts are under the sole purview
of Pemex, Mexico's petroleum parastatal. The constitution
also provides that most electricity service may only be
supplied by two state-owned companies, the Federal
Electricity Commission (CFE) and Central Power and Light
MEXICO 00000096 003 OF 007
(LYFC). There has been some opening to private capital.
Private electric co-generation and self-supply are now
allowed. Private investors may build independent power
projects but all of their output must be sold to CFE in
wholesale transactions. Private construction of generation
for export is permitted. In 1995, amendments to the Petroleum
Law opened transportation, storage, marketing and
distribution of natural gas imports and issued open access
regulations for Pemex's natural gas transportation network.
Retail distribution of Mexico's natural gas is open to
private investment, as is the secondary petrochemical
industry. Since the government's announcement in August 2001
that national and foreign private firms will be able to
import liquefied petroleum gas duty-free, one LNG terminal
has begun operation in Tamaulipas state, a second is under
construction in Baja California, and CFE plans to build a
third in Manzanillo, on Mexico's Pacific Coast.
Finance Public Works Contracts (COPFs), formerly Multiple
Service Contracts (MSCs) designed to comply with the
country's constitution, mark Mexico's most ambitious effort
to attract private companies to stimulate natural gas
production by developing non-associated natural gas fields.
Under a COPF contract, private companies will be responsible
for 100 percent of the financing of a contract and will be
paid for the work performed and services rendered. However,
the natural gas produced in a specific field remains the
property of Pemex. Examples of work that contractors can
perform include seismic processing and interpretation,
geological modeling, fields engineering, production
engineering, drilling, facility design and construction,
facility and well maintenance, and natural gas transportation
services. Some Mexican politicians still oppose COPFs as a
violation of the Mexican constitution's ban on concessions.
Some contracts have failed to attract any bids, demonstrating
the limited success of COPFs.
Telecommunications
------------------
Mexico allows up to 49 percent FDI in companies that provide
fixed telecommunications networks and services. This includes
the Cable TV (CATV) industry, with one exception: companies
can issue Neutral or "N" stocks up to 99 percent, which can
be owned by a foreign company. In fact, one CATV company
operates under this ownership scheme. There is no limit on
FDI in companies providing cellular/wireless services.
However, Telmex and Telcel (America Movil continue to reign
as the dominant telecom fixed and wireless powers and wield
significant influence over key regulatory and government
decision makers. Mexico's dominant landline and wireless
carriers are traded on the New York Stock Exchange.
Several large U.S. and international telecom companies are
active in Mexico, partnering with Mexican companies or
holding minority shares. Following a 2004 WTO ruling,
international resellers are authorized to operate in Mexico
and some companies are also looking to sell wholesale minutes
to resellers. Telcel (technically independent, but majority
owned by Telmex owner's Grupo Carso - Carso Global Telecom)
still retains a majority share (about 75 percent) of the
cellular market. However, Spain's Telefonica Movistar, among
others, continues to grow and challenge the status quo. They
have deployed extensive mobile infrastructure to increase
coverage across the country. ;
Telmex continues to dominate the market in Long Distance
(local and international), Internet access through DSL, and
bundle services. The Convergence Accord, published in October
2006, allowed Telmex to offer broadcasting or TV services.;
However, the Federal Telecommunications Commission ruled that
Telmex must first comply with interconnection,
interoperability and number portability requirements before
receiving permission to complete its triple-play offering.
The accord has elicited strong concerns from the CATV
industry, which fears that it will push CATV operators to
consolidate. Under the accord, CATV operators (including TV
duopolist Televisa's Cablevision) are allowed to
independently offer Triple Play Service (VoIP-Telephony,
Data-Internet and TV-Video), which might increase competition
in the telephony market.
As in telecommunications, there are concerns that the two
dominant television companies - Televisa and TV Azteca, who
share duopoly status in the sector - continue to exercise
influence over Mexican judicial, legislative and regulatory
MEXICO 00000096 004 OF 007
bodies to prevent competition. However, in August 2007 the
Mexican Supreme Court ruled against the most blatant
anti-competition measures of the April 2006 Radio and
Television Law. Among other decisions, the Court ruled that
it was unfair for broadcasting companies to keep and use at
no cost analog spectrum freed from the digitalization
process. Currently the Mexican Legislature is working on a
new media law based on the Supreme Court's ruling.
;
U.S. firms remain unable to penetrate the Mexican television
broadcast market, despite the fact that both Televisa and TV
Azteca benefit from access to the U.S. market.
Real Estate
------------
Investment restrictions still prohibit foreigners from
acquiring title to residential real estate in so-called
"restricted zones" within 50 kilometers (approximately 30
miles) of the nation's coast and 100 kilometers
(approximately 60 miles) of the borders. In all, the
restricted zones total about 40 percent of Mexico's
territory. Nevertheless, foreigners may acquire the effective
use of residential property in the restricted zones through
the establishment of a 50-year extendible trust (called a
fideicomiso) arranged through a Mexican financial institution
that acts as trustee.
Under a fideicomiso the foreign investor obtains all rights
of use of the property, including the right to develop, sell
and transfer the property. Real estate investors should,
however, be careful in performing due diligence to ensure
that there are no other claimants to the property being
purchased. Fideicomiso arrangements have led to legal
challenges in some cases. U.S. issued title insurance is
available in Mexico and a few major U.S. title insurers have
begun operations here. Additionally, U.S. lending
institutions have begun issuing mortgages to U.S. citizens
purchasing real estate in Mexico.
Transport
---------
The Mexican government allows up to 49 percent foreign
ownership of 50-year concessions to operate parts of the
railroad system, renewable for a second 50-year period. The
Mexican Foreign Investment Commission and the Mexican Federal
Competition Commission (CFC) must approve ownership above 49
percent. In a positive sign for competition, the CFC recently
struck down a proposed merger between two of the three major
railroad companies.; The decision has been appealed.;
Consistent with NAFTA, foreign investors from the U.S. and
Canada are now permitted to own up to 100 percent of local
trucking and bus companies, however, several companies have
encountered long wait times and legal tie-ups when trying to
obtain permits.
CINTRA, the government holding company for the Mexican
airline groups, Mexicana and Aeromexico, sold Grupo Mexicana
to Grupo Posadas in December 2005.; Grupo Aeromexico was
sold to a consortium led by Citibank-owned Banamex in October
ΒΆ2007. The emergence of low-cost domestic airlines such as
Volaris, Click Mexicana, and Interjet have increased
competition and led to lower prices. However, foreign
ownership of Mexican airlines remains capped at 25 percent.
Foreign ownership in airports is limited to 49 percent.
;Foreign express delivery service companies continue to
complain that Mexican legislation unfairly favors Mexican
companies by restricting the size of trucks international
carriers are allowed to use.;
Infrastructure
--------------
Mexican infrastructure investment, with certain previously
noted exceptions, is open to foreign investment. The Mexican
government has been actively seeking an increase in private
involvement in infrastructure development in numerous
sectors, including transport, communications, and
environment. Improvement in the national infrastructure is
seen as a key element in strengthening economic
competitiveness and attracting investment to disadvantaged
regions of the country. In July 2007, President Calderon
presented the National Infrastructure Program 2007-2012 a key
aspect of which is an increase in private investment through
means of Service Lending Projects (public-private
MEXICO 00000096 005 OF 007
partnerships) and concessionary schemes. The Office of the
President provides an English language copy of the plan at:
www.infraestructura.gob.mx.
Conversion and Transfer Policies
Mexico has open conversion and transfer policies as a result
of its membership in NAFTA and the OECD. In general, capital
and investment transactions, remittance of profits,
dividends, royalties, technical service fees, and travel
expenses are handled at market-determined exchange rates.
Peso/dollar foreign exchange is available on same-day, 24-
and 48-hour settlement bases. Most large foreign exchange
transactions are settled in 48 hours. In June 2003, the U.S.
Federal Reserve Bank and the Bank of Mexico announced the
establishment of an automated clearinghouse for cross-border
financial transactions. The International Electronic Funds
Transfer System (TEFI) began operating in 2004 and
commissions on transfers through the system have dropped
rapidly.
Expropriation and Compensation
Under NAFTA, Mexico may not expropriate property, except for
a public purpose and on a non-discriminatory basis.
Expropriations are governed by international law, and require
rapid fair market value compensation, including accrued
interest. Investors have the right to international
arbitration for violations of this or any other rights
included in the investment chapter of NAFTA.
There have been twelve arbitration cases, of which two are
still pending, filed against Mexico by U.S. and Canadian
investors who allege expropriation, and other violations of
Mexico's NAFTA obligations. Details of the cases can be found
at the Department of State Website, Office of the Legal
Advisor (www.state.gov/s/l).
Dispute Settlement
Chapter Eleven of NAFTA contains provisions designed to
protect cross-border investors and facilitate the settlement
of investment disputes. For example, each NAFTA Party must
accord investors from the other NAFTA Parties national
treatment and may not expropriate investments of those
investors except in accordance with international law.
Chapter Eleven permits an investor of one NAFTA Party to seek
money damages for measures of one of the other NAFTA Parties
that allegedly violate those and other provisions of Chapter
Eleven. Investors may initiate arbitration against the NAFTA
Party under the Arbitration Rules of the United Nations
Commission on International Trade Law ("UNCITRAL Rules") or
the Arbitration (Additional Facility) Rules of the
International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes
("ICSID Additional Facility Rules"). Alternatively, a NAFTA
investor may choose to use the registering country's court
system.
The Mexican government and courts recognize and enforce
arbitral awards. The Embassy has heard of no actions taken in
the Mexican courts for an alleged Chapter 11 violation on
behalf of U.S. or Canadian firms.
There have been numerous cases in which foreign investors,
particularly in real estate transactions, have spent years
dealing with Mexican courts trying to resolve their disputes.
Often real estate disputes occur in popular tourist areas
such as the Yucatan. American investors should understand
that under Mexican law many commercial disputes that would be
treated as civil cases in the U.S. could also be treated as
criminal proceedings in Mexico. Based upon the evidence
presented a judge may decide to issue arrest warrants. In
such cases Mexican law also provides for a judicial official
to issue an "amparo" (injunction) to shield defendants from
arrest. U.S. investors involved in commercial disputes should
therefore obtain competent Mexican legal counsel, and inform
the U.S. Embassy if arrest warrants are issued.
Performance Requirements and Incentives
The 1993 Foreign Investment Law eliminated export
requirements (except for maquiladora industries), capital
controls, and domestic content percentages, which are
prohibited under NAFTA. Foreign investors already in Mexico
at the time the law became effective could apply for
MEXICO 00000096 006 OF 007
cancellation of prior commitments. Foreign investors who
failed to apply for the revocation of existing performance
requirements remained subject to them.
The Mexican federal government has eliminated direct tax
incentives, with the exception of accelerated depreciation. A
fiscal reform package was passed in September 2007 that
includes a Flat Rate Corporate Tax (IETU). This tax limits
the deductions that companies are allowed, though changes
made at the behest of the business community still allow some
credits for previous inventories and investments, as well as
for companies that fall under the maquiladora scheme.
Investors should follow IETU developments closely.
Most taxes in Mexico are federal; therefore, states have
limited opportunity to offer tax incentives. However, Mexican
states have begun competing aggressively with each other for
investments, and most have development programs for
attracting industry. These include reduced price (or even
free) real estate, employee training programs, and reductions
of the 2 percent state payroll tax, as well as real estate,
land transfer, and deed registration taxes. Four northern
states - Nuevo Leon, Coahuila, Chihuahua and Tamaulipas -
have signed an agreement with the state of Texas to
facilitate regional economic development and integration.
Investors should consult the Finance, Economy, and
Environment Secretariats, as well as state development
agencies, for more information on fiscal incentives. Tax
attorneys and industrial real estate firms can also be good
sources of information.
U.S. Consulates have reported that the states in their
consular districts have had to modify their incentive
packages due to government decentralization. Many states have
also developed unique industrial development policies.
Sonora, for example, is working to expand the free entry area
for tourists (south from the border to the port of Guaymas.)
Sonora is one state that has implemented long-term
agriculture and infrastructure development plans. The
government of Yucatan provides information and support to
potential investors and business entrepreneurs through
several programs that target different industries such as
technology, agroindustry and energy exploration. Several
states are competing to attract manufacturing in the
aerospace industry.
There is a government-owned development bank, Nacional
Financiera, S.A. (www.nafin.com), which provides loans to
companies in priority development areas and industries. It is
active in promoting joint Mexican-foreign ventures for the
production of capital goods. Nacional Financiera offers
preferential, fixed-rated financing for the following types
of activities: small and medium businesses; environmental
improvements; studies and consulting assistance;
technological development; infrastructure; modernization; and
capital contribution. The Mexican Bank for Foreign Trade,
Bancomext, offers a variety of export financing and promotion
programs (www.bancomext.com).
Mexico has two programs to stimulate manufactured exports -
maquiladora and PITEX (Program for Temporary Imports to
produce Exports) - that largely operate in the same manner.
The first is focused on companies that specialize in in-bond
manufacturing and export, while the second is for companies
that may have significant domestic sales. In November 2006,
the maquiladora and PITEX programs were combined into the
renamed IMMEX (Industria Manufacturera, Maquiladora y
Servicios de Exportacion) program. The IMMEX program adds
services, such as business process outsourcing, to the
maquila scheme and also simplifies and streamlines the
processes under the two previous schemes. The new program
continued to exempt companies from import duties and
applicable taxes (e.g. VAT) on inputs and components
incorporated into exported manufactured goods. In addition,
capital goods and the machinery used in the production
process are tax exempt, but are currently subject to import
duties. Companies interested in investing in industrial
activity in Mexico need to follow the new IMMEX guidelines
closely, preferably in close consultation with locally based
legal advisors. Please refer to the Secretariat of Economy's
IMMEX program website at: http://www.economia.gob.mx/
In order to maintain competitiveness of maquiladora and PITEX
companies and comply with NAFTA provisions, since 2001 Mexico
has applied "Sectoral Promotion Programs" (PROSEC). Under
these programs, most favored nation import duties on listed
MEXICO 00000096 007 OF 007
inputs and components used to produce specific products are
eliminated, or reduced to a competitive level. These programs
comply with NAFTA provisions because import duty reduction is
available to all producers, whether the final product is sold
domestically or is exported to a NAFTA country. Currently
there are 22 PROSECs, including electronics and home
appliances, automotive and auto-parts, textile and apparel,
footwear, and others. The lists of inputs and components
incorporated under each PROSEC are not exhaustive, and the
Mexican government regularly consults with industries to
include more goods.
In the last three years the Secretariat of Economy conducted,
in partnership with the private sector, 12 studies, called
"Programs for Sectoral Competitiveness", of the country's
most important sectors according to their levels of exports,
employment and FDI. Studies covering the electronics,
automotive, textile, maquiladora, leather and footwear, and
software sectors are currently available at the website of
the Secretary of Economy (http://www.economia.gob.mx/).
Right to Private Ownership and Establishment
Foreign and domestic private entities are permitted to
establish and own business enterprises and engage in all
forms of remunerative activity in Mexico, except those
enumerated in Section 1 Table 1. Private enterprises are able
to freely establish, acquire and dispose of interests in
business enterprises. The two most common types of business
entities are corporations (Sociedad Anonima) and limited
partnerships (Sociedad de Responsibilidad Limitada). Under
these legal entities a foreign company may operate an
independent company, a branch, affiliate, or subsidiary
company in Mexico. The rules and regulations for starting an
enterprise differ for each structure.
Corporation Limited Liability Company
(Sociedad Anonima) (Sociedad de Responsibilidad
Limitada)
Can be up to 100 Can be up to 100
percent foreign-owned. percent foreign-owned.
Must have a minimum of Must have a minimum of
50,000 Mexican pesos in 3,000 Mexican pesos in
capital stock to start. capital stock to start.
Must have minimum of 2 Must have a minimum of 2
shareholders, with no partners to incorporate a
maximum. Board of corporation with limited
Directors can run the liability. The partners
administration of the must manage the company.
company.
The enterprise has an Exists only while there is a
indefinite life business purpose and partners
span. remain the same.
Free transferability Restricted transferability of
of stock ownership is partnership shares. Any changes
permitted. in the partnership composition
may cause the partnership to be
liquidated.
Operational losses If structured properly, it may
incurred by the offer tax advantages by
Mexican entity or allowing operational losses
subsidiary may not be incurred by the Mexican entity
used by the U.S. to be used by the U.S. parent
parent company. company.
Limited liability to Limited liability is afforded
shareholders. to the partners.
--------------------
Text continued in part 2.
Visit Mexico City's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/mexicocity and the North American
Partnership Blog at http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/nap /
GARZA