Houston, Texas Delegation Talks Energy In Mexico

USA - English

• Latin America - español

MEXICO CITY, Feb. 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Greater Houston Partnership led a delegation of top U.S. business leaders to Mexico City on Tuesday to discuss commerce and investment opportunities. The visit follows a resolution for energy reform implemented by the Partnership that advocates a balanced approach to energy conservation, economic growth and job creation on a global scale.

"We applaud the energy reform efforts that are taking place in Mexico," said Greater Houston Partnership President & CEO Bob Harvey. "These reforms will benefit the Mexican people and the Mexican economy.  Houston is the Energy Capital of the World, and Houston companies stand ready to assist in the development of the Mexican energy industry in any way we can."

Mexico's U.S. Consul General Luis Malpica y de la Madrid and Eduardo Aguirre, former U.S. Ambassador to Spain and Andorra and the Chairman and CEO of Atlantic Partners Group, were part of the Houston delegation. Delegates also included Houston-area companies with interests ranging from energy and sustainability to international trade and investments. The delegation met with PEMEX and several high-level government officials. This was the first time a Houston business delegation has traveled to Mexico to meet with officials under President Enrique Pena Nieto's administration. 

"The energy sector plays a critical role in the well-being of the world economy," said Ambassador Aguirre, who is a member of the GHP Board of Directors and serves as the chairman of the Partnership's International Investment and Trade Committee. "It is vital that Houston continue to build strong partnerships with strategic global markets, such as Mexico. Mexico and Houston have consistently shared interests in balancing energy demands with sound environmental objectives, economic growth and job creation.  Partnerships across nations will secure the future of energy in Houston and ensure the continued prosperity of the world economy."

As one of Houston's largest global trade partners, Mexico shares extensive business and cultural connections with Houston. Mexico is Houston's largest international trade partner, while Houston ranks as Mexico's fourth largest U.S. gateway for international trade. In 2012, annual trade between Houston and Mexico totaled $30.6 billion.

More than 1,100 Houston companies report business or trade ties with Mexico. Of the 511 firms in the Houston region affiliated with Mexican subsidiaries, 47 are headquartered in Houston, and operating 152 subsidiary locations throughout Mexico. Firms with significant operations in Mexico include ABS Consulting, Baker Hughes Incorporated, BJ Services Company, Cameron International Corporation, Exterran Holdings, Inc., Halliburton Company, National Oilwell Varco, Inc., Victory Packaging, Inc. and Weatherford International Inc.

Conversely, 18 Mexican firms operate 20 subsidiary locations in the Houston metro area.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 46.2 percent of Houston's total foreign-born population was born in Mexico.

Houston, the fourth largest city in America, is home to 94 foreign consulates - including Mexico - and the headquarters of 25 Fortune 500 companies – the third most in the U.S. Houston is known as the "Energy Capital of the World" because of its large concentration of oil, gas and renewable energy companies.

For more information on business and trade opportunities in Houston, visit www.houston.org.

Greater Houston Partnership works to make Houston one of the world's best places to live, work and build a business. It represents 10 counties: Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, San Jacinto and Waller. With more than 2,000 member organizations, GHP represents approximately one-fifth of the region's workforce. Visit GHP at houston.org.

SOURCE Greater Houston Partnership