H.E. Vicente Fox Quesada calls for conference to be held in Latin America next year as a follow up to Global Business Forum in Dubai

Logistics highlighted as a key area where Dubai businesses can offer expertise to Mexican counterparts

November 10, 2016, Dubai UAE

Mexico is an ideal trade hub for Gulf companies wanting to access Latin America’s $10 trillion market as the country enjoys trade agreements with  43 markets, Vicente Fox Quesada, the former President of Mexico said recently at the Global Business Forum on Latin America in Dubai. 

Fox Quesada said he would be happy to assist in any negotiations for a direct air link between the UAE and Mexico. “I think Mexico could be the next Latin American market for Emirates. I am more than willing to contribute towards that,” he told delegates.

He also proposes the idea of holding a similar forum in Latin America next year, to build on the relationships and progress achieved during the Global Business Forum, which was organised by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

“The best first step is coming to meetings like this. I propose formally to put together in our place, an equivalent chapter in the Global Business Forum. We can bring in the local business community. We will dedicate effort and time to have a follow up on what we’ve started to do here,” he said.

Addressing delegates during a session entitled In Conversation with Vicente Fox Quesada - Mexico in the Global Economy, he said that Mexico offers the perfect bridge to building trade between Latin America and the Arab world. 

“You have all kinds of opportunities in the region, strong dynamic growth in infrastructure, highways, ports, energy. These are very attractive opportunities in Latin America. Argentina is moving to coming back to a market economy. You have fast-growing economies like Panama, Colombia and Peru. Mexico’s manufacturing structure is impressive – its capacity in this sector is as large as all of Latin America together.”

He also highlighted the important role Mexico could potentially play in helping GCC countries meet the demands of fast-growing populations, adding that his country “could fill the gap as we produce so many food products. We provide up to 70 per cent of what the US consumers, and prices are outstanding.”

Fox Quesada concluded by lauding Dubai’s expertise in logistics as a useful system which Mexican businesses could stand to benefit from by collaborating with companies from the emirate.

“This region of the world is very visionary where you see leaders with a long-term vision who also recognise that Latin America can bring a lot of growth and the sustainability that it needs,” he added.

The inaugural Global Business Forum on Latin America 2016, held on November 9 and 10, 2016, was organised by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The high-level event was aimed at boosting bilateral ties between the UAE and the economies of Latin America.

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© Press Release 2016