Mexico: Tighter Regulations and Higher Spending Stimulate Market

Of the countries in Latin America, none is getting more attention from the U.S, environmental industry than Mexico. Forces such as growing environmental concern among Mexicans and pressure from the U.S. and international lending institutions to tighten environmental standards have led to both stronger enforcement and higher levels of spending. The result is an expanding market for environmental controls of more than $3 billion a year whose rate of growth is expected to accelerate in the near future. Many opportunities exist for U.S. companies in the areas of air and water services, solid waste and hazardous waste, according to speakers at the Air & Waste Management Association's conference on Mexican environmental issues which was held in Pittsburgh in May. However, doing business in Mexico usually requires dose cooperation with local companies, adapting to a different business culture, and lining up solid financing.