Mexico's plastics industry still has tremendous potential, according to the head of Anipac, a Mexico City-based plastics trade association.
``We know our sector has an enormous potential for growth, bearing in mind the quantity of applications of polymers,'' Anipac President Angel Oria said in his keynote speech at the group's annual meeting in Mexico City.
Oria expressed regret at the lack of investment by past administrations in Petroleos Mexicanos, the state-owned oil company. That failure has meant the sector has not been able to remain competitive or take full advantage of bilateral and regional trade agreements Mexico has signed with many other countries.
He said that disadvantage makes long-term planning essential and he urged more active participation from all of the association's members.
Sen. Dulce María Sauri acknowledged that banks in Mexico still are not lending to productive sectors. She added that by listening to the concerns of business associations like Anipac, the Senate will be able to serve Mexican society better.
In other news, Anipac announced that:
* The association has established links and partnerships with other industrial chambers and commissions, such as the Mexican Association for Bottling and Packaging (AMEE), the National Association for the Chemical Industry (ANIQ), the Monterrey Chamber for Industry (CAINTRA) and the Confederation of Chambers of Industry (CONCAMIN).
* Anipac is tackling the pressing issue of financing with Bancomext, Mexico's official government agency promoting Mexican exports and fostering foreign investment, as well as with Nacional Financiera (NAFIN), Mexico's largest government-controlled development bank.
* The group has hired two employees to analyze industry statistics and compile a directory that will include data on plastics firms in Mexico.
* The association is embarking on a venture with Argentine magazine Ingeniería Plastica, published by Editorial Costa Nogal. Anipac is joining the editorial board and will distribute the magazine, which comes out five times a year, and will include plastics sector news from Mexico.
* The group is planning a trade mission to China beginning April 13, and at least nine companies will send representatives to NPE 2003 in Chicago, which begins June 23.