MEXICO CITY - The Secretary of Economy, Ildefonso Guajardo, highlighted that this year alone, in the steel industry alone, six billion dollars of investment were consolidated with the generation of almost five thousand jobs.

During his participation in the Inauguration of the Ternium Mexico Steel Complex, the official pointed out that this work is thanks to the fact that we have achieved a competitive open economy with a sector that takes on challenges and opportunities.

"As we are seeing with the supply of inputs for the automotive industry, a project that positions us in the steel industry but also in derivatives and integrated steel products such as the automotive industry."

He recalled that at the Third National Congress of the Mexican steel industry, held recently, the fundamental guidelines for an industrial policy in the steel sector were reviewed.

There, he said, it was established to invest and grow but under terms of a fair and competitive open trade, through the response of investments such as those we have witnessed so far this administration.

For this reason, he emphasized that the production of the Ternium Mexico plant will supply 40 percent of the inputs that were previously being imported for the automotive industry.

He pointed out that this will increase Mexico's productivity value chains, which will allow us to increase Mexican value in global chains.

Likewise, before the President of the Republic, he emphasized that so far in his administration, out of the 100 percent of the cases against unfair trade practices, 50 percent have been to defend the steel industry against unfair competition

"And today we can say that we have managed to improve by far the condition of the national steel industry by protecting it against dumping," he added.

The federal official also highlighted the importance of materializing the energy reform, since it would undoubtedly have a direct impact on the future of the Mexican steel industry.

"The main input for the sector is energy, therefore the availability of abundant energy at competitive prices is essential. This is complemented by the instruction to use the power of public procurement to improve the productive capacities of the national industry.

Proof of this and the best example is the bidding process for the Ramones, where Pemex reached an agreement with the steel industry to incorporate national inputs in the construction of the most important gas pipeline that Mexico will ever have, under competitive conditions and at good prices.

Ildefonso Guajardo emphasized that with specific actions in international trade, in energy and with the use and strength of public procurement, it is possible to build a viable future for the steel industry in Mexico.

Source : Manufactura / NOTIMEX