Second economic power in Latin America, a very open market, 0% customs duties for European companies… Nathalie Gazeyeff, Director of the Lifestyle/Health Department of the Business France Office in Mexico, came to the International Congress held by Cosmed on June 10, 2016, to present the Mexican cosmetics market and the key aspects to be known to export there.
Spread across a surface area equivalent to about three times that of France, Mexico counts 120 million inhabitants, including about 78% in urban areas. The country has three major urban centres (with its 23 million inhabitants, Mexico City is the third urban community in the world), and ten cities of more than a million inhabitants.
Although the 60+ population is increasing, it is a young country: the average age is 27 years old, and 70% of Mexicans are less than 35.
The Mexican economy
The country enjoys abundant natural resources (gold, silver, zinc, copper, uranium, oil, natural gas, etc.) and a diversified farming production.
Its industrial fabric is well-developed, with global groups like Cemex (1st world cement manufacturer) or Bimbo (1st world industrial bakery group).
These characteristics have helped Mexico reach the 15
th
rank of world economies, and it is the 2
nd
economic power in Latin America, with a GDP of 1,031 billion euros in 2015. With an average regular growth of about 3% for approximately 20 years, the country offers a stable business environment.
It is also open to trade, as it signed 12 free trade agreements with 45 countries, including in the European Union, with total …