Mexican Delegation Promotes CIIT in EU Tour to Attract Investment

A high-level Mexican delegation led by María Mercado, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, embarked on a strategic tour across the European Union to promote the Interoceanic Corridor of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec (CIIT) among key stakeholders and attract investment for Mexico’s south-southeast region. 

The delegation began its mission with a participation at Hannover Messe 2024, a leading industrial technology trade fair. Later, the delegation traveled to Brussels, Belgium, to engage with companies and officials from the European Commission, showcasing the CIIT’s potential and promoting investment opportunities through the Global Gateway initiative.

In Brussels, the delegation met with Felix Fernandez-Shaw, Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA), and Head, Global Gateway initiative. Discussions centered on the Coatzacoalcos-Sines maritime corridor, a priority project for the Global Gateway initiative, aimed at strengthening production chains between the European Union and Mexico.

The delegation also toured the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, the second-largest port in the European Union, to explore potential collaboration opportunities. It also met with Dominique Demonté, CEO, Brussels South Charleroi BioPark, agreeing to work on a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to exchange best practices in developing scientific-industrial ecosystems under the CIIT’s Development Poles for Wellbeing (PODEBIS).

The delegation then stopped at the port of Sines, Portugal, to follow up on the Coatzacoalcos-Sines maritime corridor, a crucial element of the CIIT project. Alongside local officials, the delegation began developing the protocol for the MoU signed last December.

In Lisbon, Portugal, the delegation hosted an "Investment Opportunities in the South of Mexico" event, presenting the CIIT and regional investment prospects to the Portuguese business sector. The delegation met with Mota-Engil executives to discuss strategies for environmental sustainability, port operations, and potential contributions to the CIIT. The tour concluded with discussions with Nuno Sampaio, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, to explore avenues for strengthening economic ties and collaboration between Mexico and Portugal.