Press Release 231
President López Obrador Urges Mexican and US Investors to Include Society in Economic Projects
· The Mexican president makes six commitments to give confidence to the private sector in both countries
· I thank President Donald Trump for being open to discussing trade, migration and security issues with respect, through an ongoing dialogue and development cooperation
· I agree with you that, by working together and listening to each other, we can find common ground, the president said to BlackRock CEO Larry D. Fink
Mérida, Yucatán, April 14, 2019 .- The Government of Mexico has made six commitments to bring certainty to business executives and investors who carry out projects in our country, one of the most exceptional nations in the world. With the sincere desire expressed together with investors and authorities from our neighboring country, we will be able to provide real options for people's wellbeing. They are the social factor that must be included in this synergy.
Attending the signing of the Agreement between the Private Sectors of Mexico and the United States as witness of honor at the U.S.-Mexico CEO Dialogue and Business Summit for Investment in Mexico, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador spoke positively about the willingness expressed jointly by investors from both countries:
"This meeting is an example of the policy we should follow, a policy that can be maintained when there is a sincere desire on the part of the productive sectors and the governments of both nations to do so."
The Mexican president applauded the joint statement signed by the Business Coordinating Council and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and commended his U.S. counterpart for the good relationship between the two countries:
"I would like to thank President Donald Trump for being open to discussing our trade, migration and security issues with respect, and in what I consider to be the most effective way: through an ongoing dialogue and with development cooperation."
The president also addressed U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, saying, "We thank you for being at this meeting and want you to know that you are welcome in Mexico."
The Mexican president presented to the investors and authorities of both countries the commitments the public sector will make to facilitate the development of projects:
"For our part, we are committed to upholding a true Rule of Law ... To respecting the commitments that were made for approval of the Free Trade Agreement ... To developing southeast Mexico and cooperating with the development of the Central American countries ..."
He also reiterated that the federal government will continue "its policy of promoting investment by lowering taxes and increasing salaries without affecting companies' stability along the 3,180 km of the border with the United States." In addition, he reiterated the commitment to respect the investment contracts assumed by the federal government.
The president addressed BlackRock CEO Larry D. Fink, saying:
"Regarding Mexico's relationship with the United States, I agree with you, and I quote, word for word, the end of your statement that says, By working together and listening to one another, we can find the common ground that we need. Not all of these conversations will be comfortable', you continue, 'and that's fine; that's an intrinsic part of democracy.’
"'But we need each other; we need to understand each other. In doing so, we can create greater prosperity, both for the citizens of Mexico and for the citizens of the United States, and in this way we can bring our two nations closer together. End quote."
The president also highlighted areas of agreement with Fink regarding the good understanding between the two countries, adding, "Going forward, we must also think about including the social element of the economy, farmers, workers, environmentalists, cooperatives, among others. We must forge partnerships among the three sectors."
And he added: "It's my responsibility to govern one of the 10 most exceptional nations in the world. And it's your responsibility to manage one of the 10 most important investment firms in the world."
Accompanying the president, for Mexico, were: Yucatan Governor Mauricio Vila Dosal; Foreign Secretary Marcelo Ebrard; Economy Secretary Graciela Márquez Colín; Energy Secretary Rocío Nahle García; Alfonso Romo Garza, the president's chief of staff; and Carlos Salazar Lomelín, and Guillermo Vogel Hinojosa, president and vice president, respectively, of the Business Coordinating Council (CCE).
For the United States: Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross; Dan Brouillette, Deputy Secretary Energy; Thomas Donohue, CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce; Larry Fink, president and founder of BlackRock; and Patrick Ottensmeyer, president and CEO of Kansas City Southern.