Foreign direct investment (FDI) has been of particular relevance to enhance Mexico’s competitiveness by allowing the transfer of resources, knowledge, technology and best practices to national companies. FDI has also operated as catalyst for economic growth and development of the Mexican economy

In this way, Mexico has negotiated several bilateral investment treaties (BITs) with countries in Latin America, Europe and Asia. As a result, today Mexico enjoys preferential access to the most important markets in the World. These Treaties represent a legal framework that has granted certainty to investors and has bolstered the attraction of foreign direct investment into Mexico.

• In 2009, Mexico positioned itself as the second largest recipient of FDI Latin America with US$12.5 billion.

• Moreover, from January 1999 to June 2010, the total value of accumulated FDI exceeded US$248 billion. (Source: Ministry of the Economy of Mexico). These figures consolidate México as one of the largest recipients of FDI among emerging economies.

In a sector level, between January 1999 and June 2010, the main destination for FDI was the manufacturing sector, capturing nearly half (44.6%) of the inflows during this period, followed by financial services (24.4%), and the wholesale and retail sector (8.4%).

From 1999 to June 2009, the accumulated FDI in Mexico was of US$248 billion dollars. During this period, the four largest investors were: the USA with a share of 52%, Spain (15.4%), the Netherlands (13.5%), and Canada (3.9%).