For Mexico, further strengthening industrial production, energy and environmental technologies, vocational training, start-ups and foreign investment are at the top of the agenda for 2018. This is the first time that a Latin American country has been a partner country at Hannover Messe. The fact that Mexico was chosen this year in particular is a successful economic policy move in several respects. While US President Donald Trump would prefer to isolate the country economically, it is an important manufacturing location for Europe's industry.

In the presence of the Mexican Minister of Economy Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal and Dr. Jochen Köckler, Member of the Board of Management of Deutsche Messe AG, Marc Siemering, Business Unit Director of Deutsche Messe , and Paulo Carreño, CEO of ProMéxico, officially launched the partner country 2018 with the signing of the contract. ProMéxico is the agency of the Mexican federal government responsible for promoting international economic relations.

"The whole world of industry will be looking at Mexico in a year's time," said Köckler. "We are convinced that all sides will benefit from this partnership and that economic relations between Mexico and Europe in particular will be further expanded."

Currently, almost 80% of Mexico's foreign trade takes place in the North American economic area. At the same time, Mexico is pursuing the goal of updating the free trade agreement with the European Union to expand transatlantic trade and mutual investment. As a partner country, Mexico now has an outstanding opportunity to present itself to global industry with new technology topics, investment opportunities, innovative growth strategies and research projects.

Mexico has become an increasingly important market and location for German companies, among others, in recent years. With the construction of new factories, numerous suppliers are flocking to the country. At the same time, the opening up of the energy sector offers interesting business opportunities. Mexico is also by far the largest destination for German exports in Latin America.

With 120 million people, Mexico is the most populous Spanish-speaking country. In a comparison of national economies, the OECD member state Mexico is ranked 15th and is described as an advanced emerging country as well as an industrialized nation. Mexico ranks 13th among the world's exporting nations and 12th in terms of imports. The North American country is strong in oil exports and automobile production. Mexico is the fourth largest exporter in the automotive sector.

With a gross domestic product (GDP) of USD 1043 billion in 2016, Mexico ranks second in Latin America, achieving an increase in economic output of 2.3% compared to the previous year. Mexico's GDP is primarily made up of services, industry and trade and amounted to around 8623 US dollars per capita in 2016.