Mexico

Brief Fact File

Capital	Mexico City
Currency	Mexican Peso (MXN)
Language(s)	Spanish, various Mayan, Nahuatl, and other regional indigenous languages
Local time	GMT - 06:00
Telephone code	52
Major cities	Guadalajara, Monterrey, Puebla

Economy
Mexico recently entered the trillion dollar class with its free market economy. It is mainly dominated by the service sectors accounting for 65-68% of GDP. The industry sectore is a mixture of modern and outmoded. Trade with the US and Canada has been increased by three times since the implementation of NAFTA in 1994. The country enjoys 90% of trade under 12 free trade agreement accounting for more than 40 countries including Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, the European Free Trade Area, and Japan.

Major Exports:

• Agriculture and forestry
  
• Livestock and fishing
  
• Mining
  
• Silver
  
• Food, beverages and tobacco
  
• Fruits
  
• Vegetables
  
• Coffee
  
• Cotton
  
• Clothing and footwear
  
• Wood products
  
• Paper, printing and publishing
  
• Petroleum and Petrochemical products
  
• Chemical
  
• Plastic and rubber products
  
• Iron and steel
  
• Non-ferrous metal
  
• Metal products, machinery and equipment

Major Imports:

• Metalworking Machines
  
• Steel Mill Products
  
• Agriculture and forestry
  
• Agricultural Machinery
  
• Electrical Equipment
  
• Car Parts For Assembly
  
• Repair Parts For Motor Vehicles
  
• Aircraft and Aircraft Parts
  
• Livestock and fishing
  
• Mining
  
• Food, beverages and tobacco
  
• Clothing and footwear
  
• Wood products
  
• Paper, printing and publishing
  
• Petroleum and Petrochemical products
  
• Chemical
  
• Plastic and rubber products
  
• Other non-metallic products
  
• Iron and steel
  
• Non-ferrous metal
  
• Metal products, machinery and equipment

Business Practices

Business Dress

• In Mexico, men should wear a conservative dark suit with a tie. One should have a classic lined suits tailored in gray and navy. White or light blue shirts are more acceptable. However, a white shirt should be worn when more formal is required.
  
• Women should wear a dress or skirt and blouse. Classic suits can be worn. One should have a collection of dresses having classic lines and classic skirt lengths. The basic colors should be gray, navy, white, and ivory.
  
• For casuals, men may wear pants and a light shirt and women, a blouse with pants or a skirt.
  
• Jeans are usually nor the appropriate wear, and tight or low cut clothing should always be avoided.

Communication Guidelines

• Shake hands upon meeting and leaving. Wait for a woman to be the first to offer the hand.
  
• Punctuality is not always as much of a priority in Mexican business culture.
  
• Do not use first name until invited to do so. Titles are important and can be used while addressing like Doctor, Professor, Ingeniero (for engineer), etc. Titles should always be included on business cards.
  
• People without such titles are addressed as Mr., Mrs., or Miss (Senor, Senora, or Senorita) and his or her surname.
  
• Hispanics uses two surnames, the first listed from father and the second from the mother. Well, while speaking, father's surname is used.
  
• Married woman adds husband's father's name at the end of her name.
  
• Never use red ink while writing someone's name.
  
• They use "psst-psst" sound to catch another's attention in public which is not considered rude.
  
• Gifting to business executives is not required. Small items with a company logo are acceptable.
  
• Good conversational topics are Mexican culture, history, art, and museums.
  
• Bad conversational topics are Mexican-American war, poverty, illegal aliens, or earthquakes.

Business Hour
9.00 am to 6.00 pm (lunch between 1.30 pm to 3.00 pm)
Government offices may be open much later, until 9.00 p.m. or more.
Note:- Mexicans seldom work on Saturdays and Sundays.

Indian Embassy / Counsulate

Embassy of India
Musset 325, Col. Polanco
11550, Mexico DF.
Tel.: +(52)-(55)-55311050, 55311002
Fax: +(52)-(55)-52542349
E-mail: indembmx@prodigy.net.mx
              embtrade@data.net.mx
              info@indembassy.org
Working Hours:
9.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. (Monday to Friday)

Visiting this Country

Business Visa Rules for Mexico
All APEC member economies require visa, except nationals from nine economies: Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United States. Before entering the Migratory form for Tourist, Transmigrant, Business Visitor or Councilor Visitor (FMT) obtainable at ports of entry or from airline personnel should be fulfilled. Business travelers are generally granted an initial stay in Mexico of 30 days upon arrival.

Business travelers requiring a visa should provide the following documents

• Passport/Identity Card/Travel Card.
  
• Introductory or sponsorship letters from the associated companies, business representatives, government agencies or other authority.
  
• 4 passport size photographs.
  
• Evidence of economic solvency.
  
• Return air tickets.
  
• Health certificate may be required in some cases.

Public Holidays

Festival	Date
New Year's Day	1 January
Constitution Day	5 February
Benito Juárez's Birthday	21 March
Labour Day	1 May
Independence Day	16 September
All Saints Day	2 November
Mexican Revolution Day	20 November
Christmas Day	25 December

Travel Tips
Entering Mexico needs the following three items along with a valid passport and visa:

• A Photo I.D.
  
• A Tourist Card or F.M.N.
  
• A valid Proof of Citizenship
  
• Carry the following in your suitcase:
  
  • A pocket-size English/Spanish dictionary.
    
  • A small first aid kit.
    
  • Camera and Film.
    
  • Walking Shoes.
    
  • Suntan Lotion.
    
  • Traveler's Checks & ATM cards.
    
  • Swim Suits.
    
  • Casual Dress Clothes for Nightlife and Fine Dining.
    
  • Copies of your favorite Mexico Travel Guide pages.
    
  • Sunglasses & Hat.
    
  • Necessary medications.
    
  • Passport/Birth Certificate & Driver's License.