The opportunities to export to Mexico’s energy industry were highlighted to North East businesses on a visit to the region by a market specialist.
Ahead of an NOF Energy trade mission to Mexico on 28 September, UK Trade and Investment’s Mexico-based advisor, Enrique Cornejo, held a market briefing with North East supply chain companies interested in exporting to the country.
Enrique, who was joined by Chris Wall from UKTI in London, met with a number of companies in the region, including Middlesbrough-based Unasys Ltd and Boldon Colliery-based Houlder, which have both signed up to the trade mission. He is also joining NOF Energy on the organisation’s stand at the prestigious SPE Offshore Europe exhibition in Aberdeen (8-11 September) to present a showcase on the Mexico market.
The trade mission is part of a UKTI initiative to boost export opportunities for energy sector companies based in the Northern Powerhouse regions. Led by NOF Energy, the visit has been organised in partnership with Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, the Energy Industries Council and Subsea UK.
The visit enables delegates to explore potential business opportunities through networking events, one-to-one meetings and VIP receptions with key members of Mexico’s oil & gas industry.
As part of a five-day programme, which takes in Mexico City, Villahermosa and Ciudad del Carmen, companies will take part in site visits and sessions with companies including Shell, BP, GE Oil & Gas and Petrofac discussing the local industry’s supply chain requirements.
Caroline Lofthouse, Business Development Manager of NOF Energy, said: “Mexico is a high-value opportunity market and presents considerable opportunities for UK companies with skills, products and services that can benefit the country’s oil & gas operations.
“The government of Mexico expects $50 billion of investment by 2018 as it aims to maximise its resources byefficiently exploiting mature fields and developing more fields, many of which are in deepwater.
“Following major reforms, which have led to state-owned oil company Pemex no longer having a monopoly, the country is open to new investment. The nation wants external help and so far has not been short of offers and the doors are well and truly set to open even wider next year.
“The market intelligence provided by UKTI’s specialist, coupled with the first-hand experience and contact building opportunities available on the trade mission, North East supply chain companies are in an ideal position to take steps towards establishing a position in the market.”
To join NOF Energy on the visit to Mexico, contact Jennifer Smith on 0191 384 64 64 or jsmith@nofenergy.co.uk