Investors looking for countries with strong opportunities for investing in infrastructure project should look towards Mexico. With a new government, a population of 1.23 million people, strong currency, a border with the US and access to two oceans, Mexico has a lot to offer investors.

Economy 

Mexico has an independent central bank whose primary objective is to ensure the stability of purchasing power and to keep inflation controlled at levels between 2% and 5% which they have been over the course of the last four years. The new trade agreement with the US and Canada will allow the country to maintain and improve the economic activity of Mexico. There is also a new government that has big plans and goals for starting investment projects in the southeast of the country, as well as eradicating corruption while growing the economy. 

Infrastructure project focus 

The Mexican government has turned their focus for investments to the following industries: 

  • oil and gas; 
  • renewable energy;
  • railroads;
  • tourism;
  • IT; and
  • construction projects.

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has prioritized infrastructure projects with an investment of 500 billion pesos (US $26.5 billion). These projects include new airports, a trade corridor in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, the Cancún-Palenque train, paving of 300 rural roads, bringing internet to the entire country, earthquake reconstruction and support for residents of marginalized neighbourhoods. There is also a project using 50,000 million pesos from the 2019 Budget to build a new refinery in Tabasco. These ambitious plans will require much more than government funds and will need the help of outside and foreign investors. 

In the past six years, foreign direct investment came from developed markets like the US, Belgium, Canada, Spain and Germany.  Many large global investment firms have seen the benefit of long term investing in infrastructure projects in Mexico.

Capital market financing in Mexico 

Traditionally, the capital markets were focused on debt issuance for financing. Now, a new capital investment structure has become more common. 

In 2009, the new investment vehicle called Development Equity Certificates (CKDes) was created as a response to the needs of Investment Funds Specializing in Retirement Funds (SIEFORES), entities whose purpose is to invest the resources of Retirement Fund Administrators (AFORES), to diversify their portfolios through investment in alternate assets such as private companies and projects. When CKDes were created were primarily used for infrastructure projects. Today, the total is broken down into real state, private equity, financial assets, venture capital, infrastructure, and energy. 

Challenges 

There still are many challenges for companies that choose to invest in infrastructure projects in Mexico. With volatility in the markets, seen after the new trade agreement was signed and economic instability and inflation, there are some real risks in Mexico for foreign investors. Understanding how to manage these risks is important for success and working with a local trusted partner is essential. 

We can help

TMF Mexico offers a full range of capital markets services that focus on timeliness, professionalism, efficiency, accuracy and customer service. We are one of the largest independent providers of Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) management, Agency and Trust services for capital markets transactions worldwide. We provide integrated service delivery across multiple jurisdictions, and we offer a single point of contact – who speaks your language – to seamlessly manage your transactions. 

We currently collaborate with more than 40 trusts of capital structures that include CERPI and CKD structures, among other financial projects such SOFOM, focused on large-scale private capital projects.

Talk to us.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.