Nov. 4 – The agrifood, automotive, tourism, research and innovation sectors of the Puglia region are about to embark in a cooperation agreement with Mexico. In Bari, a few days ago, there was a meeting between the Councilor for Economic Development of the Puglia Region, Loredana Capone, and the Ambassador of Mexico in Italy, Miguel Miguel Ruiz Cabañas Izquierdo. With 75 million consumers and 20 million high-income citizens, Mexico is the next destination for Puglia’s internationalization policies. There are 20 million Mexicans who are strongly interested in investing in Italian products. “Mexico is a huge opportunity for us – said Capone – Today the trade balance is in surplus for Puglia; in 2012 we increased our exports to this country by 250%. And our collaboration – he added – needs to also focus on research projects.” The commissioner then presented to the Delegation the incentives provided by the Puglia Region for attracting investments. There are many projects in the pipeline and the first ideas have already been approved by the two delegations during the Bari meeting. A first contact between the agribusiness technological district of Puglia (Dare) and their Research Centers Mexican counterparts may take place already within the next month in Rome. There is also the distinct possibility that in the near future missions will focus on the automotive sector, in great development in Mexico. Equally important for the Puglia region is tourism: while the Italian and Puglia tourism flow to Mexico is consolidated, the southern region is not a well-known destination for Mexicans. The delegation proposed the participation of Puglia in Mexican trade fairs: “we can easily find common projects – said the ambassador Izquierdo – Latin America is taking action with great dynamism also in terms of research and innovation: the fact that both our countries are developing important research projects is a promising avenue of collaboration.”
