Security issues prompt businesses to move from Mexico: Survey

A recent survey of firms throughout Mexico found Yucatan rated as the safest state in which to do business, while Campeche and Quintana Roo also ranked in the top 10.

But the survey by the American Chamber of Commerce of Mexico revealed the overall climate for business security throughout the country was in need of improvement.

Nearly half of the 330 firms responding to AmCham’s 2015-16 survey said they had been victims of extortion. The 2015-16 figure was up from 39 percent reporting they had been extortion victims in 2013-14.

Meanwhile, security concerns in several Mexican states are triggering relocations or exits by as many as 31 U.S.-based firms.

Thirteen firms are expected to relocate to more secure states this year by pulling up stakes in the State of México, Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Guerrero, Coahuila, Sinaloa, San Luis Potosí, Michoacán, Mexico City and Aguascalientes.

The report said security concerns arose due to crimes that included extortion, theft, attacks on transport trucks and aggression against employees.

Despite that, 62% of the 330 member firms polled said insecurity had not affected their level of investment in Mexico during 2015.

That figure was one of the highest ever tallied by the report, said national director of foreign relations Erika Quevedo, who explained that it reflected the importance of the Mexican market.

Given the insecurity, AmCham firms made investments in equipment, training and security devices, representing an annual cost of between 2% and 10% of their budgets.

For AmCham president Ernesto Hernández, “there’s unfinished business” with regard to insecurity because the problem negatively affects investors’ trust and business growth, putting employees and facilities at risk

Sources:

amcham.org.mx

mexiconewsdaily.com

TYT Newsroom