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Information collected from media reports over the past month:

• Gasoline: Mexico’s Energy Regulatory Commission estimates removal of price controls on gasoline and diesel in 2017 will stimulate up to US$16 billion in new investment. Major projects are expected in new service stations, transport pipelines and storage infrastructure. (Reforma, December 22, 2016)
• Recycling: The Mexico City municipal government published a tender for the first of two plants planned to use solid waste from the city’s landfills as fuel to produce electricity. Officials estimated approximately US$3.5 billion in investment will be required for the total project, which is intended to provide electricity for the local Metro public transport system. (El Universal, December 13, 2016)
• Rail: Mexican mining conglomerate and rail transport operator Grupo Mexico plans investment of approximately US$431 to support the operations of its rail transport subsidiaries Ferromex, Ferrosur and Intermodal, the company reported. Upgrades include acquisition of new locomotives, replacement of rail and ties and other infrastructure improvements. (Outlet Minero, December 14, 2016)
• Retail: Japanese clothing and home products retailer Miniso is preparing to open its first store in Mexico before the close of 2016 via investment of US$3 million, the company’s Mexico franchise operator reported. The franchisee projects opening up to 100 Miniso stores in Mexico over the next five years. (Reforma, December 13, 2016)
• Metal forming: SPM Auto Parts, a joint venture between Japan’s Mizuno Tekkosho and Korea’s Sunil Dyfas, inaugurated a new production facility in the northeastern state of Nuevo León. The US$16 million plant will produce precision screws and bolts for regional automotive OEMs such as KIA, Nissan, Honda, General Motors and Toyota. (Notimex, December 7, 2016)
• Financial services: Spanish financial services multinational Grupo Financiero Santander plans investment of approximately US$750 million in Mexico operations over the next three years, the company announced.  Resources will support upgrading of software and systems, retail banking branches and introduction of new products, among other areas.  (Expansión, December 8, 2016)
• Food processing: Mexican industrial miller and tortilla producer Gruma announced plans to build a new production facility in the southeastern state of Puebla. The US$50 million site is planned to produce tortillas and tostadas under the Mission brand. (Reforma, December 1, 2016)
• Automotive: Korean auto parts maker Hanwha Advanced Materials inaugurated a new production plant in the northeastern state of Nuevo León, the state government reported. The US$20 million site will produce components for a new Kia Motors OEM manufacturing facility in the area.  (Milenio, December 1, 2016)