Monterrey 2014 Blog: Competitiveness - Stimulating Growth in Post Reform Mexico Panel

By
Carin Zissis

Private-sector professionals analyzed the benefits of Mexico's reforms, as well as the remaining barriers towards increased economic productivity. 

In a discussion lead by Abraham Zamora of Mexico's Secretariat of Finance, professionals from the private sector addressed the economic implications of Mexico's reforms. In particular, speakers shared their perspectives on what the reforms could mean for the country's competitiveness, as well as challenges faced by various sectors.

Speakers:

  • Abraham Zamora, Head of the Economic Productivity Unit, Secretariat of Finance (moderator)
  • Luis Farias, Senior Vice President Energy and Sustainability, CEMEX
  • Alejandro González, CEO, ABA Seguros
  • Blanca Treviño, CEO, Softtek
  • Máximo Vedoya, Executive President, Ternium Mexico

Cemex’s Luis Farias talked about the importance of the energy reform, not only when it comes to hydrocarbons, but to the electricity sector. It may take a while for consumers to see more competitive pricing, but the private sector should see benefits in the short term, he said. Farias discussed challenges for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) when it comes to energy costs, recommending models used in other countries such as grouped pricing for energy to keep costs down. Ternium’s Máximo Vedoya noted that, with lower energy costs, Mexico will see greater development of its services and industries.

Softtek’s Blanca Treviño noted that, for many Mexican companies, the United States is the primary market but that the reforms will lead to more opportunities at home. She also discussed the challenge of a lack of understanding about innovation, and that it doesn't mean just new inventions or patents, but new processes as well. 

Across the board, panelists discussed the challenge of human capital in the context of post-reform Mexico. ABA Seguros’ Alejandro González said that an important part of innovation is education, and that, with a need for trained workers, the education reform is also key.

Treviño stressed that the private sector has a role to play in this area, and that it needs to be a part of the process of education and preparing human capital, saying: "We can’t just wait for the human capital to be provided to us."

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