MAY 2007 EDITION ARCHIVE
Legal Updates
IMMEX Program: Additional Benefits for Certified Company Participants
Mexico's Customs Law (Ley Aduanera) provides that companies that comply with certain requirements may request from the Mexican Taxpayer Administration Services (SAT) registration as a certified IMMEX company. For its part, the Decree for the Development of the Manufacturing, Maquiladora and Export Services Industry (IMMEX Decree) establishes that companies with IMMEX programs may enjoy additional benefits such as: (i) the ability to import items necessary for their production without the... [Read More]Recent Decisions in Mexican Labor Cases
1. For Cause Termination of Managerial Employees Mexico's Federal Labor Law (Ley Federal del Trabajo) recognizes the status of certain management employees who provide executive services, such as directors, treasurers, auditors, etc. When an employer terminates the labor relationship with such a worker based on a justified cause, notice of such termination must be delivered to the employee in writing. If the employee rejects such notice of termination, the employer must deliver the... [Read More]Business & Politics Outlook
President Felipe Calderón Enjoys High Approval Rating
A recent poll published in the El Universal newspaper showed President Felipe Calderon's approval rating has increased ten (10) percentage points since the beginning of the year, rising from 58% at the end of January to 68% at the end of April. The poll evidences the President's support among a large majority of National Action Party ("PAN") members, but the most significant increase of support in recent months came from members of the Party of the Democratic Revolution ("PRD"... [Read More]Governmental Reform Commission CreatedGovernmental Reform Commission Created
By publication of the Governmental Reform Law ("Ley para la Reforma del Estado") in the Official Journal of the Federation (Diarío Oficíal de la Federación or DOF) on April 13, 2007 the Commission for Governmental Reform was created, which is comprised of federal senators and representatives, political party leaders and representatives of the executive and judicial branches. The purpose of the Commission is to achieve, within a term or no more than twelve... [Read More]Tourism Sector Sees Increase in Foreign Investment
Mexico’s Department of Tourism announced that during the first quarter of 2007 investment in Mexico's tourism sector increased to $1.506 billion dollars, the majority of which came from foreign investors. The Secretary of Tourism, Rodolfo Elizondo Torres, emphasized that this sum is equivalent to 45% of Mexico’s annual goal and reflects confidence that investors continue to have in Mexico, even though tourism in some locations along the U.S.-Mexico border has decreased.Delay in Demonstration Program for Opening Cross Border Trucking between Mexico and the United States
At the request of the Mexican Senate, and in order to address concerns of motor carriers in both countries, the Mexican Secretary of Transportation, Luís Téllez Kuenzler, and the Secretary of Transportation of the United States, Mary Peters, agreed to delay the start of the demonstration program for opening cross border trucking, previously called a "Pilot Program" until July 15, 2007. The program will continue to function as originally planned, with up to 100 Mexican... [Read More]Pesos/Dollar Exchange Rate
The quoted exchange rate as of May 10, 2007 was $10.83 pesos per dollar.Mexican Stock Exchange
The Mexican Stock Exchange (BMV) closed on May 10, 2007 at 29,653.82 points.Interest Rates
On May 10, 2007, the Average Interbank Interest Rate (TIEE) for a 28-day period was at 7.71%.Mexico IP Info
Trademark Registration
Mexico does not require a trademark to be registered in order to be used; however, failure to register a mark may cause an infringement of the intellectual property rights of third parties if such third parties have registered a mark that is the same or similar in "degree of confusion" and, consequently, may cause sanctions under Mexican law. When a trademark is registered in Mexico, any third party alleging infringement may oppose the mark in the following cases: (i) when third parties... [Read More]Feature Website
www.fmcsa.dot.gov
We recommend our readers visit the web page of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), where they may consult the law and procedures applicable to obtaining authorization to provide cargo transportation services in the United States border region, register themselves in the cross-border trucking demonstration program, or review the status and compliance of any authorized United States motor carrier, among other items.