Mexico City, November 21, 2024. The Universidad Panamericanathrough its School of Government and Economics and the School of Government and Economics and the Bachelor's Degree in Economicsorganized the Economic Forum: Perspective and Economic Plan for 2025a space for analysis where experts, businessmen, academics and analysts met to discuss the challenges and opportunities Mexico faces in the current and future economic context. to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing Mexico in the current and future economic context.
A forum for economic reflection
The event took place at a key moment, following the clarification of important uncertainties such as the presidential elections in Mexico and the United States, recent monetary policy decisions and the presentation of the 2025 economic package. presentation of the 2025 economic package.
With a forward-looking approach, the panelists offered analysis on such important analysis on such important topics as inflation, economic growth, competitiveness, and the implications of fiscal and monetary policy..
Among the main speakers were Omar Mejía CastelazoDeputy Governor of Banco de México; Jorge ArcePresident and CEO of HSBC Mexico; Altagracia Gómezcoordinator of the Business Advisory Council of the Government of Mexico; and Julio Santaellaformer president of INEGI.
The panels also included the participation of academics and experts of great trajectory such as Roberto Manriquezdirector of the Bachelor's Degree in Economics at Universidad Panamericana, Janneth Quirozdirector of economic analysis at Monex, and Víctor Pizdirector of economic information at El Financiero.
Inflation and monetary policy: challenges to economic stability
During his speech, Omar Mejía pointed out that, although headline inflation has rebounded due to transitory factors, core inflation is close to its historical average. This opens the possibility of future adjustments in monetary policy.. He also emphasized that current interest rates (10.25%) are restrictive and could be reduced as economic conditions allow.
For his part, Julio Santaella offered a historical analysis of Mexico's economic growth, noting that average annual growth since 1980 has been a mere 2.25%. In recent years, this average has fallen to 1%, a reflection of economic stagnation exacerbated by the pandemic.. He also stressed that structural factors such as low labor productivity, informality, and deficiencies in education and governance limit the country's development.
Competitiveness and nearshoringa historic opportunity
In the panel entitled Mexico in the International Context: Why Mexico?Altagracia Gómez emphasized that the country has a strategic position in sectors such as automotive manufacturing, semiconductors, medical devices and agribusiness.
However, he added that in order to take full advantage of the nearshoring phenomenon, it is necessary to nearshoring, it is crucial to invest in infrastructure such as highways, airports, railroads and field technification, as well as to develop local suppliers to increase the value added in supply chains.as well as developing local suppliers to increase the value added in supply chains.
Jorge Arce added that Mexico faces significant challenges in access to credit, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). (SMEs). He also indicated that informality continues to be a key barrierHe also noted that informality remains a key barrier, making it difficult for many companies to evaluate creditworthiness.
In addition, noted that today's full employment generates talent turnover and recruitment challenges, underscoring the need to integrate more women into the workforce and encourage technical training.This underscores the need to integrate more women into the workforce and encourage technical training.
Economic outlook for 2025: moderate optimism and major challenges
In the economic outlook panel, Janneth Quiroz commented that economic growth in 2024 was limited, with an estimated 1.5%, while projections for 2025 point to an increase of less than 2%. Factors such as political uncertainty, the administrative transition in Mexico and the United States, and possible protectionist measures in bilateral trade represent significant risks.
Victor Piz, emphasized that the new federal administration will face the challenge of reducing the fiscal deficit, which in 2024 reached 5.9% of GDP, the highest level in more than three decades.which in 2024 reached 5.9% of GDP, the highest level in more than three decades. This will require fiscal consolidation measures that balance the need for economic stability without slowing growth.
Education, technology and innovation: the role of Panamerica
The forum concluded with reflections on the role of academia in the country's development. Roberto Manriquez emphasized that the Universidad Panamericana is committed to the formation of young people with academic and human excellence that respond to the needs of the global market.. He stressed the importance of promoting public-private co-investment schemes to accelerate strategic projects and to prioritize comprehensive training.
In Manríquez's words, "The development of a country must be approached from a joint vision of government, business and academia. At Universidad Panamericana, we train collaborative professionals, with a purpose in life and competencies that transcend the economic.".
A forum with national impact
The Economic Forum: Economic Perspective and Plan for 2025 reaffirmed the commitment of Universidad Panamericana as a bridge between academia, the business sector and public policy. bridge between academia, the business sector and public policy.
This event marked a key space for dialogue between strategic sectors and reflection on the challenges and opportunities that will define Mexico's economic course.
Learn more about the university at: https://www.up.edu.mx/sobre-la-universidad-fundamentos-y-valores/
