By Lara Holmes

The increase was driven by the upturn in the sector of electricity, water and gas pipeline supply to the end consumer of 5.5%.

Industrial production in Mexico increased 3.8% in real terms in 2011 compared to last year, when it advanced 6.1%, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI).

By Lara Holmes

The Ministry of Communications and Transportation (SCT) held two meetings with investors from Med Atlantic, interested in capitalizing on Mexicana Airlines, pending the process of collecting the check for 300 million dollars, which would grant a further extension to bankruptcy, scheduled for next Friday.

After the meeting last Friday, Judge Felipe Consuelo, reported that it will progress in parallel to verify the operational capabilities, technical and legal of Med Atlantic, in order to speed up the authority issuing the AOC.

By Eliane Portillo

The SCT has allocated $25 billion pesos in 14 States in the first month of the Year of the Infrastructure.

The National Plan for Infrastructure (PNI) envisages an investment of $212,638 billion pesos for the period from 2007 to 2012 to build the next 13,710 kilometers of new means of transport and communication in Mexico.

By Eliane Portillo

Mexican exports totaled $349,676.9 billion dollars in 2011. This reported an annual growth of 17.2%, a positive performance in the midst of the global economic decline.

However, it was inevitable that the export sector lost strength on 2010 when they totaled $298,361.2 billion dollars and grew 29.8%, according to figures from the National Institute of Statistics.

By Eliane Portillo

According to international agencies, such as the World Bank (WB) International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the United Nations (UN), economic growth worldwide is expected to decrease this year.

The National Chamber of the Industry of Transformation (Cancintra) said on Monday that as Mexico enters 2012, uncertainty surrounds its economy due to the delicate global financial situation.

By Eliane Portillo

At the end of September 2011, according to statistics from the central agency, there were 24.9 million plastics.

Recent data from the Bank of Mexico revealed that 33% of the credit cards in circulation are not used.

By Eliane Portillo

Mexican President Felipe Calderon on Tuesday opened a program to benefit 3.5 million senior citizens who do not receive pensions with 1000 Mexican pesos (37 dollars) a month each.

The program was launched in 2007 to benefit about one million people, but it currently reaches out for 2.15 million senior citizens. The next goal is to benefit 3.5 million.

By Eliane Portillo

European carmakers see Mexico as a strategic point for exports. Several European companies have seen Mexico as part of a strategy that will allow them to reach the South American market and expand their sales in Europe and the United States.

Such is the case of Fiat-Chrysler, which has already begun the construction of the new Fiat plant in Derramadero, Coahuila. It is expected that the plant should be finished mid-year and start operations in next January, announced the Governor of the entity.

By Eliane Portillo

The automotive industry becomes the sector star of Mexican manufacturing. During 2011 auto industry produced 2’557,550 light vehicles, a production historical number for Mexico.

Exports continue as the driving axle of the production of cars in the country. This area represents 83.82% of the total of vehicles manufacturing, but only 16.18% is for local market.

By Eliane Portillo

The presence of Platinum credit cards in Mexico grew more than other types of plastics and credit also, according to information from the Bank of Mexico.

This item has increased 20%, while gold cards contracted 17.2% and the classic increased 17.3%.

By Eliane Portillo

Inflation in 2011: 3.82%, a figure below the annual recorded in December 2010. The one in 2012, although it will have ups and downs, could be lower.

During 2012, Mexico inflation will suffer a recover that could reach levels close to 4.0% annual in the first half of the year, to later recover its downward motion and end at levels of around 3.7%.

By Eliane Portillo

Link the Atlantic and Pacific oceans in Sinaloa will generate more business from Mexico to United States because it will save up to 8 hours of travel.

By linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans in Northern Mexico, the cable-stayed bridge Baluarte will help to promote trade with the United States. In addition, regional tourism will increase as well as the strategic importance of the country in the global economy. The port of Mazatlan will increase productivity and will be one of the most important of the country.

By Eliane Portillo

Credit that provides consumer banking gained a great momentum in 2011. In November reported annual rate growth of 19.7%, with Bank financing to the private sector as the most dynamic, reported the Bank of Mexico (Banxico).

The program, Buen Fin had a positive impact in the growth of the portfolio of consumer credit, which recovered 18% in October to 19.7% in November, but especially in the use of credit cards which from an annual increase of 7.4% in October rose to 8.2% in November.

By Eliane Portillo

After the first quarter the whole year is expected a lower level compared to the end of 2011 by the fundamental strength of the peso, as the external accounts, oil prices and international reserves, but neither expects a strong appreciation.

An analysis said: Until now most analysts, like us, believe that the weight will tend to appreciate over the years from its current level to the P $ 13.0/USD is our forecast for the end the year.

By Eliane Portillo

In September business investment in machinery and equipment showed slowing signs. According to figures from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography, after growing at an annual rate of 10.6% in August, in September it grew at an annual rate of 6.8%.

Unlike the most recent reports, annual growth in September was below the cumulative growth over the first nine months (8.7%). 

By Eliane Portillo

Inflation in Mexico recovered 1.08% in November. It reached an annual growth rate of 3.48%. Thus, consumer prices showed that they already touched ground and began a moderate upward trend that will continue throughout 2012.

Last September reached an annual rate of 3.14%; the year’s lowest level to subsequent had a marginal rebound to 3.2% in October and due to seasonal increase in energy prices in November rose to 3.48%. 

By Eliane Portillo

Banking institutions have capital and liquidity to advance in the growth of private sector credit, despite the fact that 2012 is an election year and is expected to grow again at double-digit rate.

Perspective of bank credit to the private sector for 2012 is favorable, and will continue to grow at rates higher than those observed by Gross Domestic Product (GDP), despite being a political year, said Luis Peña KegeL.

By Eliane Portillo

Over the next 10 years, the population of Mexico City between 60 and 75 years of age will grow 47%, going from 759,661 to 1,119,335 inhabitants.

Facing this growing population of older adults in Mexico City, and the lack of real estate offering to serve this segment, Grupo Inmobiliario K-SA developed a new housing concept called empty nest. In 2012 will begin construction of the first 100 apartments, with three projects in various areas of Mexico City.

Empty Nest is aimed at people with an age range between 60 and 75, who live in small ensembles due to a security issue, said Manuel Lugo Goytia, president of the Board of Directors of the developer group K-SA.

Also, these older adults looking for a small social area avoid climbing stairs and need living spaces with other people within their own housing complex.

By Eliane Portillo

Financing granted by banking to companies and individuals with entrepreneurial activity grew 7.9% in October.

Banking credit to private sector reached 19 consecutive months in growing but in October 2011 it measured its expansion to 9.4% annual rate, after in September grew 11% annual, according to figures from the Bank of Mexico (Banxico).

By Eliane Portillo

Mexico's external accounts are not a focus of economic imbalance, nor a source of pressure on the exchange rate.

During the third quarter registered a current account deficit of balance of payments of $3.757 billion dollars and $6.475 billion dollars from January to September. These figures represent only 0.7% of GDP (almost identical to the last two years), reported the Bank of Mexico.