Photo Credit: loscabos.gob

Local News

Governor Agúndez Guarantees Par Vial Road Work Quality

CABO SAN LUCAS - The Cabo San Lucas Par Vial project will end black water leaks, make transit more agile, create more pedestrian safety through wider sidewalks and create a better image for the destination said State Governor Narciso Agúndez Monday. Governor Agúndez was in town to inaugurate approximately $3,700,000 pesos of public works projects in the community and to do a walk-through of the Par Vial project along with Municipal President René Núnez and government and Par Vial officials.

While some business owners congratulated the governor along his Marina Boulevard tour, others were critical, saying that they had endured almost two years of construction and economic hardship. The governor responded that it was worth the wait and that the downtown sector was the beneficiary.

Governor Agúndez said that it was very complicated to complete the Par Vial project given the conditions of the old city center's infrastructure.

“Now we have the services of underground electricity and a much more ample telephone system, wider sidewalks, and shortly also we will have a modernized public lighting system,” said Agúndez.

After walking the Par Vial route, the governor assured the public that the quality of work is guaranteed. Agúndez was responding to criticism from the Los Cabos College of Architects, voiced by president Alfonso Cota, who said the state and municipal government officials should not accept the Par Vial project until they are certain there are no deficiencies in the work.

To this the governor commented that the Los Cabos College of Architects can think what they want, they are not contributing to the work, not even to technical opinions, and asked them that they let the government work, adding that he was not going to be stopped by criticism. Governor Agúndez said that his government had been tolerant to constructive criticism but reminded people how downtown Cabo San Lucas had been before the Par Vial project, which was nothing like it is today, he said.

Agúndez went on to say that the project was the work of the state government, but once it is concluded it will be given to the municipal government to operate, and that Fonatur, through the BMO, will continue with maintenance. He added that it is a joint responsibility because business owners have the obligation to keep their storefronts clean in order to have an attractive city.

Governor Agúndez Says Tourism to Improve in 2010

LA PAZ - State Governor Narciso Agúndez says that 2010 will be a better year for tourism in Los Cabos, adding that his government has promoted tourism in the last several years. Agúndez noted that the economic problems brought on by the Influenza A H1N1 virus have been overcome and there is no longer any doubt that the state will advance.

As far as the recent passing of the federal fiscal package, Agúndez said that although no one likes to pay taxes, they are necessary in order for the government to advance. On the other hand, the governor said, with austerity policies and reduction in government expenses, the savings will lead to more work and services for the public.

Municipal President René Núnez Says API and City Council Responsible for Par Vial Maintenance

SAN JOSE DEL CABO - Although Par Vial work has not been 100% completed to the 100, lacking landscaping and the lighting system, Los Cabos Municipal President  René Núnez says that his administration and API (Integrated Port Authority) will be responsible for Par Vial maintenance.

René Núnez noted that roads within the Par Vial project area are now open to vehicular traffic and that work continues on the project, adding that he hopes that the image of downtown Cabo San Lucas will totally change for the well-being of residents and tourists.

Business Sector Applauds Public Security

CABO SAN LUCAS - Because unemployment continues to grow along with delinquency and insecurity, it is necessary to count on a front of capable personnel and the Public Security office is working on this, assured Los Cabos Chamber of Commerce (CANACO) President Raul Padilla. On the one hand, Padilla said, the opening of the roads affected by the Par Vial project, mainly Lazaro Cardenas, has begun to generate fruit after many long months of losses, but Padilla considered that the other part is the true responsibility of the Public Security directorate to professionalize its police force to guarantee the well-being of all citizens and tourists who visit the destination.

National News

Business Should Pay More Taxes

MEXICO CITY— President Felipé Calderón is pressing businesses to pay more taxes, with his administration forwarding a proposal to limit corporate tax deferments to a maximum of five years.

Last week President Felipé Calderón angrily lashed out at large corporations that he says pay only an average of 1.7 percent of revenue in taxes.

Calderón called that "unacceptable." He said "this cannot go on" and insisted companies should pay more.

Treasury Secretary Agustin Carstens said late last week that the government is proposing that tax deferments traditionally granted for losses, investments or other reasons be limited to five years. Current law does not specify a limit. Carstens says Mexico's tax load on businesses is currently about half the U.S. level of 3.4 percent.

Turbulence Caused Crash

MEXICO CITY — Investigators have confirmed that turbulence from a larger plane caused the crash of a government jet that killed Mexico's interior secretary and 15 other people a year ago.

Lead government investigator Gilberto Lopez says the pilots of the Learjet 45 were too slow to reduce their speed and came up too close behind a Boeing 767, which was on the same flight path to Mexico City's international airport.

Lopez presented the final report of the investigation at a news conference Tuesday. The findings confirmed preliminary conclusions from last year. The Learjet 45 plowed into the capital's wealthy Lomas neighborhood Nov. 4, 2008, killing Federal Interior Secretary Juan Camilo.

Floods Force 44,000 people from Gulf Coast

VILLAHERMOSA, Mexico — Flooding after days of heavy rain along Mexico's Gulf Coast earlier this week has forced more than 44,000 people from their homes. Tabasco state Gov. Andres Granier says several rivers jumped their banks, flooding homes in more than 90 communities.

The federal government declared a state of emergency and troops were helping rescue people Tuesday. Residents expressed frustration that government infrastructure projects have not prevented yearly flooding in Tabasco. In 2007, floods killed 33 people and inundated more than 1 million homes.

Dutch Queen Beatrix visits Mexico

MEXICO CITY — Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands is in Mexico this week. President Felipé Calderón welcomed the queen at a ceremony in Mexico's National Palace. The queen arrived Tuesday for a trip that will include meetings with Mexico City Mayor Marcelo Ebrard. Queen Beatrix is also scheduled to visit Mexico City's famous National Museum of Anthropology and participate in a meeting on energy. The royal will spend the last two days of the trip visiting the Mexican states of Guanajuato and Hidalgo. The queen is accompanied by Willem-Alexander, Prince of Orange, and his wife Princess Maxima.

U.S. Dumps China for Mexico

MEXICO CITY -- The global recession was enough to defeat China as the number one place for American assembly-for-export factories, or maquiladoras.

"Compared to China and other manufacturing hubs, Mexico offers better access to North American markets with a shorter, faster and cheaper transportation route to move products and supplies by truck, rather than over thousands of miles by ship, rail, and truck combined," said Daniel Silva of the Mission Economic Development Authority.

An index developed by the global business advisory firm AlixPartners states that by the end of 2008, Mexico was the least expensive country for the U.S. to manufacture.

"The index showed that China, once the lowest cost supplier ... has now dropped to number three in low-cost countries rankings, behind India and the new number one, Mexico," according to the AlixPartners 2009 Manufacturing-Outsourcing Cost Index.

Manufacturing in Mexico costs around 68%; in India around 73%; in China, near 86% and in Brazil close to 91%, compared to costs in the United States. Mexico's maquiladoras include plants operated by Johnson & Johnson, Whirlpool, and car-parts maker, Delphi Corp. Close to 60% of the near 3,100 maquiladoras are located at the northern border in Mexico, according to the National Maquiladora Council of Mexico.

Renault-Nissan Alliance Signs Zero-Emission Partnership with Mexico City Government

MEXICO CITY - The Renault–Nissan Alliance and the Mexico City Government today announced a partnership that paves the way for the introduction of the Nissan LEAF in Mexico's capital city in 2011.

Mexico City will become the first city in Latin America to receive the Nissan LEAF and is part of the Mexico City government Green Plan (Plan Verde) committed to reduce CO2 emissions from vehicles by promoting battery-electric vehicles.

"Today is a historic day for the Renault-Nissan Alliance and Mexico City," Carlos Tavares, President of Nissan Americas, said. "We are signing a Memorandum of Understanding in order to introduce electric vehicles in Mexico's capital. Zero-emission leadership is a core commitment for the Renault-Nissan Alliance. We are delighted to share a common vision for a cleaner world with Mr. Ebrard's administration."

The Nissan LEAF is the first vehicle to be launched under this agreement. It provides a quiet, efficient driving experience with a range of about 160 Km (100 Miles). The five-door, five-passenger hatchback is an electric motor and battery operated car (all-electric car) with absolutely no polluting emissions. No internal combustion engine and fossil oil-based fuel are needed. Its electric motor supplies 80 kW of power (107 hp) and 280 N-m (207 lb-ft) of direct torque to its wheels, providing a rapid response and a powerful acceleration.

Mexico Assumes Permanent Observer Status At ECOWAS

Lagos — Mexico has assumed the position of a permanent observer at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as of October 30, to be represented by the country's ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Luis Alberto Barrero Stahl.

ECOWAS, the economic organization, founded on May 28th, 1975, includes 15 countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cap Vert, Cote d´Ivoire, the Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo.

With the reopening of the Embassy of Mexico to Nigeria in October 2008, Mexico is pushing forward its relations with the country and all the other countries of the Sub-Saharan region, exploring all the possibilities in order to boost the bilateral relations with each one of them, especially on the economic-commercial sector.