Mexican ports along the Pacific coast can give quick access to key US markets such as Texas, Chicago and New York
BUSINESSMEN IN Hong Kong have been overlooking Mexico's potential for far too long. While many firms in other Asian economies have long been exploiting the country's lengthy border with the United States, Hong Kong's investment in the country is confined to a handful of small and medium-sized enterprises, according to Mario Leal, Consul-General of Mexico.
The fastest way to the world's largest economy was through Mexico, he said. With container ports at Ensenada, Manzanillo, Mazatlan and Lazaro Cardenas along the Pacific coast, the country offers closer access to many parts of the United States than the major US West Coast ports at Long Beach, Los Angeles, Portland, Oakland and Seattle.
'Mazatlan and Lazaro Cardenas are the most convenient, with direct rail links to Texas,' he said.
'Ships sometimes have to wait five to 10 days at the ports in Long Beach and Los Angeles because of the congestion. It would be more convenient for shippers to use one of these Mexican ports, which give easy access to such US markets as Texas, Chicago and New York.
'I am convinced that more Hong Kong companies should establish operations in Mexico,' Mr Leal said.
'We believe it would be good if companies here and in the mainland did the same thing that Japanese and Korean companies are doing. By setting up factories along the border, they are able to serve the US market better. It has been good for them and it has been good for us.'