IN a meeting marked by mutual respect and shared aspirations, the Mexican Ambassador to Malaysia Luis Javier Campuzano Pina’s courtesy call on Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow this morning opened avenues for meaningful engagement between Penang and Mexico.
Their discussions suggested a collaborative potential, exploring ways to enhance trade, cultural exchange, and innovation.
Luis Javier highlighted Mexico’s remarkable transformation in recent decades, noting that the country has become a global export powerhouse, fuelled by strategic trade policies, economic reforms, and significant investments in key industries.
“Mexico is the number one automotive exporter in Latin America and ranks the fourth largest worldwide.
“It also stands as the Latin America region’s top exporter of high-tech goods.
“In the pharmaceutical sector, Mexico is the second-largest market in Latin America and ranks twelfth globally.
“The nation is the seventh-largest exporter of medical devices and the eighth-largest electronics producer globally.
“Additionally, Mexico is recognised as the tenth-largest exporter of machinery and mechanical devices, reflecting its strong industrial capabilities and global competitiveness,” he told Chow at Komtar here.
Luis Javier emphasised the strong trade and investment ties between Mexico and Malaysia, stating that in 2022, bilateral trade exceeded USD15 billion, with more than 95% of this amount stemming from Malaysia’s exports.
“This robust economic relationship plays a key role in job creation, as it is estimated that every billion dollars in exports generates around 5,000 jobs.
“As a result, nearly 75,000 Malaysian jobs are directly supported by the thriving trade connection with Mexico, underscoring the positive impact and the vast potential for continued collaboration between our nations,” he explained.
Luis Javier also expressed keen interest in exploring further opportunities for collaboration with Penang.
In response, the Chief Minister expressed appreciation for Luis Javier’s interest in exploring further collaboration, particularly with Penang.
He stressed that Penang has a significant opportunity to strengthen and empower its homegrown SMEs as the state continues to evolve as a dynamic economy.
“While many local SMEs have yet to expand internationally, they play a crucial role in supporting and enriching our robust supply chain ecosystem.
“As a testament to the strength of this ecosystem, foreign companies continue to invest in Penang, recognising the value of our skilled local enterprises and the collaborative environment that drives mutual growth and innovation.
“By further empowering local SMEs, we can position Penang as a leader in both domestic and global markets,” Chow said.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Law Suun Ting