The U.S. Embassy in Mexico City distribued this news release from the American Chamber of Commerce/Mexico on Tuesday March 14.
- During its 100th General Assembly, Mónica Flores Barragán, stated that AMCHAM will continue “connecting companies, talent, ideas and businesses.”
- In 2017, the Chamber will work on two main objectives: increasing the competitiveness of the private sector and implementing binational linkages.
During the 100th General Assembly, Mónica Flores Barragán, President of ManpowerGroup for Latin America, was elected to chair the American Chamber of Commerce of Mexico during 2017-2018. Flores Barragán will be the first Mexican woman to head this business organization.
During her inaugural speech, Mónica Flores proposed two main objectives for the Chamber during her administration: to prepare a strategic agenda aimed at increasing the competitiveness of the private sector, with transparency and legality; and implement binational linkages between the companies that are part of AMCHAM, to strengthen collaboration at all levels of the supply chain and with society.
She emphasized that “Amcham’s purpose is to facilitate trade and strengthen the relationship between Mexico and the United States which is key today more than ever.” Before a group of businesspeople, representatives of AMCHAM associated companies, government officials and opinion leaders of Mexico and the United States, the new president of AMCHAM stated that her commitment as head of the Chamber will be “to build an attractive business environment for the investment that generates better opportunities on both sides of the border.” She also reaffirmed that the organization will continue boosting business growth, formal employment and skills development in Mexico.
Monica Flores Barragan, incoming president of American Chamber of Commerce/Mexico. (PHOTO: El Economista)
José María Zas, former President of the American Chamber / Mexico, who led the organization during the 2015-2017 period, stated that “the fate of the United States and Mexico is intertwined and the only way to win is by strengthening and boosting our collaboration, understanding, and dialogue for the benefit of all.”
During the event, José Antonio Meade Kuribreña, Secretary of Treasury, pointed out that it is now up to monetary policy to send signals of certainty to the markets and, therefore, to anchor inflation expectations and investment processes in Mexico with the joint participation of the public and private sector. He also indicated that the government has the task of continuing to work on the implementation of structural reforms that provide employment and development spaces.
U.S. Ambassador and Honorary AMCHAM President Roberta S. Jacobson highlighted that “the benefits of having women leaders in modern society are well known – we know that diversity in leadership results in innovation. We know that when we make maximum use of the talent of our people, our nations and our companies are more productive.”
Carlos Sada Solana, Assistant Secretary for North American Affairs at the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Relations, asserted that Mexico has a bilateral relationship with the United States which is unique in the world, and a trilateral one that includes Canada, both of which work very well. We must take advantage of the opportunity afforded us by the modernization of our trade instruments to strengthen the bilateral relationship. He concluded by stating that North America is destined to be a more prosperous and secure region if the three countries work shoulder to shoulder.
Rogelio Garza, Assistant Secretary for Industry and Trade of the Secretariat of Economy, stated that the Mexican government reaffirms its commitment to free trade, integration and competitiveness. “We are totally willing to work and engage in dialogue,” he said, “as long it is for the benefit of the peoples of the three countries that make up North America.”
Monica Flores Barragan has a degree as an actuary from the National Autonomous University of Mexico, and holds a Master’s in Philosophy from the Pan-American University, as well as an MBA from the IPADE. As President for Latin America of Manpower Group, Monica Flores heads the operation of this company in 18 countries. She is also on the boards of several educational, government and business institutions. The Mexican Senate awarded her the title of “Distinguished Woman of 2011.”
