Abt Associates Wins Contract to Support Economic Growth in Mexico

BETHESDA, Md., April 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The US Agency for International Development has awarded Abt Associates a $22 million contract to manage its flagship economic governance project in Mexico, which will support the country's transition to an innovation-driven economy. The project, Supporting Improved Economic Governance in Mexico, builds on the approach and achievements of the Mexico Competitiveness Program, which Abt has implemented since 2008. 

The Improved Economic Governance project arrives just as the Mexican government is proposing fundamental changes to transform national productivity and competitiveness.  In December 2012, newly elected President Enrique Pena Nieto and the leaders of Mexico's primary political parties signed the Pacto por Mexico, a multi-partisan policy roadmap that establishes economic governance priorities for the next six years, including promotion of small business innovation and entrepreneurship, as well as regulatory reform that will boost competition among private companies, increase efficiency of the state-run energy sector, and incentivize new businesses.

The new project supports the Pacto's promotional and regulatory elements, and will target priorities for the private sector and Government of Mexico, such as improving transparency in economic policy and resource allocation, strengthening market regulation and competition, implementing the recently approved labor law reform, widening access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises, and improving administration of commercial law. By helping the Mexican government achieve these goals, the Improved Economic Governance project will ultimately contribute to sustained economic growth and better living standards.

"The timing of this project couldn't be better," said Abt's Tim Kessler, project director. "In just a few months, Mexico's new economic policy team has shown a tremendous commitment to promoting transparency and making the best use of public resources to help Mexican businesses realize their full potential. We have a unique window of opportunity to support a transformation led by the government that is committed to finding new solutions."

In this new project, Abt will leverage its successful experience managing the Competitiveness Program, which forged productive relationships with government ministries, businesses and non-governmental organizations to play a vital supporting role in multiple government and private initiatives. These included Mexico's pioneering federal climate change legislation, reformed procurement laws in one of Mexico's most important industrial states, and the innovative Cleantech Challenge, the country's leading private incubation initiative for green industries. Under the new project, Abt will continue to partner with Cleantech's creator, GreenMomentum, as well as the think tank C230 Consultores (C230), Ernst & Young Mexico (E&Y) and the Mexican Competitiveness Institute (IMCO), creator of Mexico's most applied competitiveness index.

About Abt Associates

Abt Associates is a mission-driven, global leader in research and program implementation in the fields of health, social and environmental policy, and international development. Known for its rigorous approach to solving complex challenges, Abt Associates is regularly ranked as one of the top 20 global research firms and one of the top 40 international development innovators.  The company has multiple offices in the U.S. and program offices in nearly 40 countries. www.abtassociates.com

SOURCE Abt Associates

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