Czech Republic Launches Tech Mission 2024 in Mexico

The Czech Republic inaugurated the Czech Tech Mission 2024 to strengthen economic ties with Mexico. This initiative aims to enhance collaboration in new technologies such as nanotechnology, advanced materials, biotechnology, and information and communication technologies (ICT) through strengthened economic and academic cooperation between the two countries. The mission takes place amid Mexico's increasing interest in diversifying its partnerships and enhancing its industrial offerings in international markets.

During the opening ceremony of the second edition of the Tech Mission to Mexico at the Czech Embassy (the first one took place in 2019), Edvard Kožušník, Czech Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, emphasized the significance of reimagining the industry's development process. He highlighted that continuous improvement is vital for countries to enhance their competitiveness. "If I think about the Czech Republic, I must talk about Czechoslovakia, the Austro-Hungarian Empire; our industry has always been highly developed. Industry is the foundation of our economy to this day. But we cannot survive with the industry of 100 years ago; we have to reinvent and change,” Kožušník said, adding an example that the economy of North Bohemia and its capital Liberec, previously specialized in the textile sector, is now transitioning to offer machinery focused on nanotechnology. 

According to the Czech Government, the Tech Mission 2024 aims to establish new trade and scientific-technical cooperation relationships, while strengthening the existing ones. The focus of Czech-Mexican ties is on innovative sectors, emphasizing collaboration in ICT, advanced materials, biotechnology, and other innovative solutions such as industry 4.0 and life sciences. 

The participants are representatives of seven Czech research institutions and companies: the Central European Institute of Technology in Brno, Technical University of Ostrava, Scientific Center of Excellence BIOCEV, Central Bohemian Innovation Center (SIC), Czech Nanotechnology Industries Association, SVCS Process Innovation, and Monet+.

During his speech, Mexico City’s Minister of Economic Development, Fadlala Akabani, emphasized the importance of diversifying business opportunities and partners for both Mexico City and Mexico, highlighting the Czech Republic as a key country. He acknowledged the Czech Republic's advances in nanotechnology, particularly in machinery for manufacturing nanotechnology-based products. Akabani pointed out that in the context of nearshoring, Mexico has become the world's leading country in purchasing machinery. 

Akabani noted that nanotechnology has multiple applications. He emphasized that missions like the Czech Tech Mission 2024 are crucial for developing new advances that benefit both nations, as such missions open doors for future applications and strengthen economic exchanges.
Kožušník highlighted that bilateral trade between the Czech Republic and Mexico is increasing every year and has doubled in the last decade, establishing Mexico as the Czech Republic's first trade partner in Latin America. The Ambassador of the European Union to Mexico, Gautier Mignot, noted that trade between the European Union and Mexico is expected to reach the €100 billion (US$106 billion) milestone. He highlighted that the trade relationship between the Czech Republic and Mexico is more dynamic than the European Union’s average, and this dynamism is expected to increase further after the renegotiation of the EU-Mexico Trade Agreement.

The Czech Tech Mission 2024 began in Mexico City and continues in Guadalajara, Jalisco. In Mexico City, the delegation spent two days visiting the Tecnológico de Monterrey campus in the State of Mexico, IPN, and Mexico City’s Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (SECTEI).

During the Guadalajara leg of the mission, collaboration will take place with the Jalisco government, specifically with the Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology (SICyT). Visits are scheduled to several institutions, including the Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute (CINVESTAV), the Center for Research and Technological Development in Electrochemistry (CIATEJ), the Jesuit University of Guadalajara, Intel, Universidad de Guadalajara (ITRANS), and others. An Innovation Day Jalisco-Czech Republic is also organized to showcase Czech participants and Jalisco entities, facilitating collaboration opportunities.