The President of Ireland Michael D Higgins together with Mrs. Higgins and an Irish Government delegation attended an official luncheon hosted by President Enrique Peña Nieto of Mexico at the National Palace in Mexico City. Selected Irish companies and institutions were also invited together with key businesses from Mexico to further business relationships between Ireland and Mexico.
Speaking at the special lunch, President Higgins said that the people of the two countries shared “a natural affinity with each other”. The President stated that “We want to support Irish companies in further growing their partnerships in Mexico and to encourage more companies to explore the Mexican market.”
Mr Higgins described Mexico as "one of Ireland's top 20 commercial partners in the world".
The Presidents witnessed the signing of a pact by Minister of State for Foreign Affair Joe Costello and Mexican foreign minister José Antonio Meade setting out how Ireland and Mexico will develop partnerships between companies.
Later on Monday evening, President and Mrs Higgins attended a reception in their honour hosted by Ambassador Hyland which was attended by companies from Ireland and Mexico. Cubic Telecom CEO Barry Napier spoke with President Higgins and both the Mexican ambassador Carlos García de Alba and the Irish ambassador Sonja Hyland who all extended their support to Cubic Telecom to help cement relationships with carrier, OEM and technology partners in Mexico and Latin America. Follow up meetings have been agreed.
On Tuesday morning Enterprise Ireland hosted a Presidential breakfast to which Mexican mobile operators were invited along with Cubic Telecom. Speaking at the business breakfast in Mexico City, President Higgins said that “Irish companies had taken a foothold in this important and vibrant market of Mexico but that they could do more. Significant opportunities remain for Irish businesses in Mexico. We also believe that there is unexplored potential in Ireland for Mexican businesses. I very much hope that more Irish and Mexican companies take up the reciprocal opportunities that exist to achieve mutual benefit for both countries.”
Speaking from the event, Barry Napier stated that "Our OEM partners have clearly highlighted Mexico and Latin America as strategic growth markets for connected devices. Cubic Telecom greatly appreciates the support it has received from President Higgins, the Department of Foreign Affairs, The Irish Embassy, the Mexican Ambassador to Ireland and Enterprise Ireland in developing important business relationships with local mobile operator and technology partners in Mexico and Latin America.”
