Calderon said that Mexico is making progress in strengthening its institutions and police forces to guarantee security, while at the same time launching economic and tax reforms to become a more attractive partner than other emerging powers.
The president met Monday with Emperor Akihito, Empress Michiko and Crown Prince Naruhito, as well as with Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and executives of Japanese companies with significant investments in Mexico like Toyota, Mitsubishi and Panasonic.
During his remarks Tuesday to Japan’s main business association, Calderon said that Mexico’s location and workforce make production costs more attractive than those in China, India or Brazil for companies aiming at the U.S. market.
He said that the combination of free trade agreements that Mexico has signed with countries like Japan and the United States and regions like the European Union make it one of the world’s most attractive destinations for investment and for establishing factories and distribution centers.
Calderon told a press conference Tuesday that both Japan, on the side of rich countries, and Mexico, among the developing countries, should lead a movement to develop a new growth model based on renewable energy and respect for the environment.
In that regard he stressed the importance of reaching an agreement at the next U.N. summit on climate change, to be held at the Mexican resort of Cancun at the end of the year, so that “not another year is lost.”
Calderon said that on this trip the relationship of “global strategic partners” has been confirmed with Japan, marked by the 400 years of friendly relations between the two peoples that was celebrated in 2009.
The Mexican president also said that he has agreed with Hatoyama to step up trade and work together on such shared interests as nuclear disarmament, world peace and a quick accord on the Doha round to liberalize world trade. EFE
Source:laht.com/
