Mexican companies should come to Hong Kong to take advantage of the huge business opportunities opening up in the Chinese mainland, according to the deputy trade commissioner of the Trade Commission of Mexico, Norma Garcia.

“Most Mexican companies are using Hong Kong as a base to do business with the Chinese mainland. It is difficult for them to do business directly in the mainland due to language barriers and the way of doing business. By using Hong Kong as a base and having Hong Kong companies as partners, they gain access to both markets,” said Ms Garcia, who is based in the SAR.

“Many of our customers have tried to do business directly, but they end up coming back to use the expertise that is available in Hong Kong. Human resources and the talent pool in Hong Kong are areas yet to be matched in the mainland,” she added.

“European and US markets are easy for Mexican companies. Going to Asia automatically provides diversification for them. Actually this year is “Asia Year” for Mexico, because the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) will be hosted there, which will promote business opportunities in the Asian market for Mexican companies, particularly in China, one of the only bright spots in the world markets at the moment.”

Ms Garcia predicted more Mexican companies will move to Hong Kong this year. “We expect to see increased investment in the autoparts, food and beverage, and the electronics industries,” she said. “One of Mexico’s largest meat companies, Grupo Alpro, set up an office in Hong Kong a few weeks ago. Other large companies such as Grupo Cuervo and Cerveza Sol have offices here in Hong Kong. Additionally, Corona Extra is one of the leading beers in Hong Kong.”

The Trade Development Council’s Mexico City consultant Vicky Acevedo said that enthusiasm and enquiries about doing business in Hong Kong were definitely on the increase.

“We have had several recent enquiries from Mexican companies on how they can go about opening an office in Hong Kong,” Ms Acevedo said. “One garment importer who visited the recent Hong Kong Fashion Week wants to set up an office in Hong Kong because of cost efficiency. I expect more of these types of enquiries.”

Mexican buyers at the recent Hong Kong Toys and Games Fair 2002 were enthusiastic about the business environment here. “This was my first trip to Hong Kong and I was very impressed by the infrastructure, organisation and the excellent business opportunities,” said the operations manager of Corporacion American Baby S.A de C.V, Ivonne Castro.