A note from Ambassador Garza

On October 13 in Mexico City, the Pacific Council for International Policy and the Mexican Council on Foreign Relations (COMEXI) released a forward-looking assessment of U.S.-Mexico border issues. The report will be presented on November 13 in Washington, D.C. I was honored to be a part of the taskforce of American and Mexican business executives and government officials who collaborated on the development of this strategic policy perspective.

The report tackles a wide range of issues, including security, migration, development and water, and establishes what I think is an aggressive but workable framework for substantive policy discussions between our governments. As President Barack Obama, President Felipe Calderon and their respective administrations chart their courses, I'm hopeful that they will view the Pacific Council/COMEXI report as a blueprint for addressing the challenges our two countries face along the border. You can read the executive summary online in Spanish, here, and in English, here.

A recently released Citigroup Global Market's report, "Latin America Macro and Strategy Outlook," points to continued recovery in Latin American markets, including Mexico. You'll find it online here. [need to bring from old site: http://tonygarza.com/images/stories/Citi_report_MX_-_SLA41750_-_For_Oct_Perspective_post.pdf] I found it to be a solid assessment of Latin American markets and thought you might be interested, as well. As you know, my work is primarily based in Mexico and it is worth noting that Mexico is being called out in a positive way by Citigroup, specifically, "the Global Index of Economic Activity (IGAE), a monthly proxy for GDP, in Q3: it posted a 2.4 percent monthly expansion in July-its strongest advance since March 2004."

At White & Case/Mexico City we routinely offer our clients and friends timely insight into opportunities in the energy and infrastructure sectors in Mexico. I want you to have this month's report "Energy, Infrastructure and Project Finance." If you'd like to visit about energy and infrastructure opportunities in Mexico, please feel free to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Lastly, for a quick take on the day's news in Mexico, please visit the Mexico news feed on my Web site and stay up to date with me via Twitter.

With best wishes, I am,

Sincerely,

Tony Garza

Pacific Council, COMEXI report on U.S.-Mexico border released

On Oct. 13 in Mexico City, a joint task force of leading business and former government officials from both sides of the border unveiled "A New Vision for the U.S.-Mexico Border: Joint Solutions for Common Problems." The report acknowledges that often policymakers in each nation's capital are far removed from the unique dynamics, challenges and opportunities that converge along the 1,954-mile border between the two countries.

The work of the Pacific Council and COMEXI and our groups' recommendations on substantive policy changes, regulatory actions and reforms are driven by four over-arching provisions:

• a model of binational law enforcement in which officials from parallel, professionalized agencies work together as a matter of course;
• a coherent economic strategy for the border region, based on expediting legitimate commerce, relaxing federally-imposed restrictions on what border communities can do to build new infrastructure or provide better social services, and endowing existing development institutions with greater authority;
• intelligent management of shared natural resources; and
• a comprehensive, binational solution to migration.

You can read the executive summary online in Spanish, here, and in English, here.

"Latin America Macro and Strategy Outlook" - Citigroup Global Markets

Citigroup Global Markets' recently released, "Latin America Macro and Strategy Outlook," a report that points to continued recovery in Latin American markets, including Mexico.

Notably, the analysts at Citigroup call out Mexico in a positive way: "the Global Index of Economic Activity (IGAE), a monthly proxy for GDP, in Q3: it posted a 2.4 percent monthly expansion in July-its strongest advance since March 2004." Analysts note that President Calderon's continued commitment to core structural reforms "give hope that real change is possible." The full report is available here. [need to bring from old site: http://tonygarza.com/images/stories/Citi_report_MX_-_SLA41750_-_For_Oct_Perspective_post.pdf]

White & Case/Mexico City - Energy, Infrastructure and Project Finance

My colleagues at White & Case/Mexico City recently updated our client alert on the country's energy, infrastructure and public finance sectors. In addition to an overview of opportunities in Mexico, we provide our clients some keen insight on the global recession's impact on Mexico's efforts to move forward with its National Infrastructure Plan. Read the full report here.

It's still October and not too late to Think Pink

Although October, which is breast cancer awareness month, is nearly over, it's really never too late to "Think Pink" and demonstrate your support for breast cancer treatment and research. It's a disease that touches far too many lives.

Many of you know that the race for a cure for breast cancer is a cause that I feel strongly about. My mother and sister battled valiantly against cancer but ultimately lost their battles altogether too early in life. For them and the countless other mothers, sisters, daughters and women touched by this disease, I'll continue to do my part to raise awareness and funds for a cure.

Perhaps more than any other organization, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure is at the forefront for advocacy and fundraising to cure a disease whose reach knows no borders. Komen estimates that 25 million women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 10 million could die in the next 25 years without a cure.

Take some time to get engaged in the global movement to find a cure. You can do that by simply clicking here.