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On March 9, 2018 the Mexican government published a new financial technology law, called the Law to Regulate Financial Technology Institutions (Ley para Regular las Instituciones de Tecnología Financiera, or Ley Fintech). The text of the law states up front that’s its goal is to “regulate the financial services provided by financial technology institutions, as well as their organization, operation and functioning and the financial services subject to any special regulation that are offered or carried out by innovative means.” Conventional banks in Mexico have long been regulated of course but the recent surge in new technologies and tech startups in the financial sector has been making both regulators and old-school bankers jumpy. This, then, is a first stab at setting up a basic regulatory environment for the new wave of mostly internet-based access and transaction platforms and products. Continue reading Mexico passes new fintech law as sector surges
Category Archives: Services
Recent and upcoming investment in Mexico
Information collected from media reports over the last month:
- Amusement parks: U.S.-based amusement park operator Six Flags Entertainment Corp. inaugurated its remodeled water park in the central state of Morelos at a cost of US$18 million, the company reported. Six Flags plans to add hotel facilities and restaurants at the site in the future. (El Financiero, May 31, 2017)
- Real estate development: Mexican developer Gicsa reported it will invest approximately US$34 million to convert an existing Mexico City shopping center into a mixed-use complex. The repurposed site is planned to include offices, retail space and a hotel. (El Financiero, May 30, 2017)
- Casual dining: Mexican restaurant chain Toks, part of the Gigante corporate group, is projecting investment of up to US$48 million across its formats. Projects include a new distribution center, remodeling of the Beer Factory and California format casual dining restaurants and a beer bottling operation. (Reforma, May 30, 2017)
- Cement: Mexican cement producer Elementia is currently carrying out a US$250 million expansion of its production plant in the central state of Hidalgo, the company reported. The upgrade will increase Elementia’s annual cement production capacity in Mexico to 3.5 million tons. (El Financiero, May 29, 2017)
- Beverage: British drinks multinational Diageo initiated construction of a bottling line for tequila and vodka at its processing plant in the western state of Jalisco, the company reported. The bottling expansion is part of US$400 million in investment planned through 2020. (El Financiero, May 24, 2017) Continue reading Recent and upcoming investment in Mexico
Recent and upcoming investment in Mexico
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)