U.S. SECRETARY GUTIERREZ AND MEXICAN SECRETARY TÉLLEZ TO OPEN USTDA CONFERENCE ON BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS IN INFRASTRUCTURE

USTDA Grants Totaling More Than $1.7 Million to be Awarded to Further NIP Priorities

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO (February 21, 2008) – To promote the development of transportation, energy and environmental projects under Mexico’s National Infrastructure Program (NIP), USTDA is sponsoring a conference that will highlight key opportunities for U.S.-Mexican partnerships. The event will take place at the Marquis Reforma Hotel in Mexico City, February 26-28, 2008, and is designed to foster closer relationships between U.S. industry and Mexican decision makers responsible for the development of NIP projects.

Who:
Acting Director Leocadia I. Zak, U.S. Trade and Development Agency
The Honorable Carlos M. Gutierrez, U.S. Secretary of Commerce
The Honorable Luis Téllez, Mexican Secretary of Communications and Transportation
The Honorable Agustin Carstens, Mexican Secretary of Finance
The Honorable Georgina Kessel, Mexican Secretary of Energy
The Honorable Juan Rafael Elvira, Mexican Secretary of the Environment and Natural Resources
The Honorable Eduardo Sojo, Mexican Secretary of the Economy, Mexico
The Honorable Antonio O. Garza, Jr., U.S. Ambassador to Mexico

When: February 27, 2008 – Media registration will take place beginning at 7:45 a.m. Press must be in place by 8:45 a.m.

The Opening Plenary will start promptly at 9:00 a.m., followed by an opportunity for questions from the media at 11:00 a.m. USTDA grant agreements will be signed following questions from the media.

Where:
Marquis Reforma Hotel
Paseo de la Reforma #465
Col. Cuauhtémoc, Mexico City
México, D.F. 06500

Background:

Recognizing the importance of infrastructure development to Mexico's economic development and competitiveness, the Calderón Administration has placed a high priority on increasing Mexico's investment in infrastructure from three to eight percent of gross domestic product (GDP) by the year 2012. As a first step toward achieving this goal, President Calderón launched the NIP in July 2007, which outlines goals and strategies to increase the coverage, quality and competitiveness of Mexico's transportation, energy and environmental infrastructure. This new focus on infrastructure presents over $141 billion in new opportunities for U.S. firms.

To assist U.S. companies in identifying opportunities and securing projects, USTDA, in cooperation with the U.S. Commercial Service, is sponsoring the U.S. and Mexico: Building Partnerships in Infrastructure conference. The conference will bring together public and private sector project sponsors and a range of U.S. equipment and service providers in the transportation, energy and environmental sectors. More than 35 project profiles will be presented on major infrastructure plans. Projects will range in size from $45 million to $2 billion, with anticipated completion in 2012.

Conference press passes will be provided to all those that qualify as members of the press or analyst community. Credentialed members of the media will have access to the press briefing following the opening plenary on February 27, 2008. Please note that photo identification may be required to obtain a press credential. USTDA reserves the right to screen all requests, including on-site registration, and if necessary, refuse registration to individuals who do not qualify. For further information on the conference and complete details on media registration, visit the conference website at http://www.trademeetings.com/ssMeetingDetails.asp?meetingId=194.

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency advances economic development and U.S. commercial interests in developing and middle-income countries. The agency funds various forms of technical assistance, early investment analysis, training, orientation visits and business workshops that support the development of a modern infrastructure and a fair, open trading environment. USTDA's strategic use of foreign assistance funds to support sound investment policy and decision-making in host countries creates an enabling environment for trade, investment and sustainable economic development. In carrying out its mission, USTDA gives emphasis to economic sectors that may benefit from U.S. exports of goods and services.

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