Sheinbaum and Businessmen "Put Pressure" on the Mexico Plan: These are the Keys

In a high-level meeting at the National Palace, President Claudia Sheinbaum and a group of Mexico's most influential business leaders, including Carlos Slim, agreed to "step up the pace" to accelerate the goals of Plan Mexico, focusing on simplifying procedures and attracting investment.

The federal government and Mexico's business elite have joined forces to boost the country's economy. President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo held a key meeting at the National Palace with a select group of business leaders, including Carlos Slim Helú, Daniel Servitje of Bimbo, and Altagracia Gómez, coordinator of the Regional Economic Development Advisory Council. The objective: to review and accelerate the actions of "Plan Mexico."

"We welcomed businessmen and women to the National Palace; they are optimistic about Mexico's economic situation and committed to our country," the president declared after the meeting that lasted more than two hours.

The central message of the meeting was the need for speed and efficiency. Francisco Cervantes, president of the Business Coordinating Council (CCE), summed it up upon his arrival: "The goal is to work with our president, to continue with Plan Mexico, and to find out how we can accelerate it further. That's precisely how we can further drive investment."

The agreements and topics discussed focused on eliminating bureaucratic barriers that hinder development:

• Reducing Investment Times: Altagracia Gómez noted that one of the most ambitious goals is to reduce the average time to complete an investment in the country, from the current 2.7 years to just one year. This will be achieved through a drastic simplification of procedures and permits.
• Digitalization of Procedures: Supporting digitalization is essential to achieving the above goal. The goal is to create a one-stop shop and more streamlined processes that provide investors with certainty and speed.
• Inclusion of MSMEs: A crucial focus of the plan is integrating micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises into the formal economy and value chains. This will be achieved through greater access to credit and by encouraging large "leading" companies to work directly with local suppliers, strengthening supply and export chains.
• Sovereignty and National Production: Special emphasis was placed on strengthening strategic sectors such as the pharmaceutical industry. The idea is that, instead of importing, Mexico will produce more for its domestic market and for export, an issue that gained relevance during the pandemic. The government's purchasing power, which will allocate nearly 250 billion pesos over two years to medicines and medical supplies, will be a key lever to this end.

The meeting also served to send a message of unity and confidence in the face of a complex global environment, particularly in light of tax changes and President Donald Trump's "produce in America" ​​policy.

"We are in talks with them. We are complementary, we are very integrated, and there is a willingness on both sides to do so." – Francisco Cervantes, President of the CCE, on the relationship with the U.S.

The business leaders expressed optimism, emphasizing that Mexico enjoys a favorable economic momentum and a solid and complementary trade relationship with its northern neighbor. Plan Mexico, with its focus on strengthening the domestic market and diversifying exports, is presented as the strategy to navigate and prosper in this new global environment. Collaboration between Sheinbaum's administration and the private sector will be the driving force behind these goals becoming a tangible reality for the Mexican economy.