Page 19 - MetalForming September 2014

Best Practices
ture goods that are to be exported. Before the recently passed tax reform, imported assets and materials were exempt from the 16-percent value-added tax. This was considered one of the biggest advantages of the program and allowed Mexico to remain competitive in the global arena. Now, however, IMMEX companies that want to continue to take full advan- tage of the program must complete a certification process to show Mexican authorities that they are following the rules of the program.
The Elephant in the Room
It would be inappropriate to conclude without mention- ing the proverbial elephant in the room: security, a longtime concern to doing business in Mexico. While crime still exists, the environment has changed greatly in the last 2 yr. The Mex- ican government has done an excellent job of addressing the problem, and foreign investors—specifically expatriates liv- ing in Mexico—have not historically been a target of drug- related crime. Still, business travelers should take proper pre- cautions to arrange for travel with locals, avoid unknown areas, attempt to blend in and stay in areas popular among other business travelers. MF
The author thanks Alejandro A. Rodriguez, Plante Moran’s Mexico country manager (based in Monterrey, Mexico) for con- tributing to this article; Alejandro.Rodriguez@plantemoran.com.
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