EU-CELAC Innovact Platform: Innovation to Promote Territorial
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30 September 2017 EU-CELAC Innovact Platform: Innovation to promote Territorial Cohesion Task 2 : Value chain mapping in the México - Guatemala cross-border region EU-CELAC Innovact Platform: Innovation to promote Territorial Cohesion Task 2: Value chain mapping in the México-Guatemala cross-border region 30 September 2017 For any information regarding this document please contact: Saskia Bonnefoi, Competitiveness [email protected] +52 1 55 4133 7086 Inés Sagrario, Task Leader for Task 2, Competitiveness [email protected] +34 626163032 Table of Contents 1 Summary in EN ................................................................................................................... 4 2 Resumen en ES .................................................................................................................... 5 3 The Context of the Border Area .......................................................................................... 6 3.1 Mexico – Guatemala ................................................................................................................................................. 6 4 National Level Priorities on each side of the Border........................................................... 7 4.1 Mexico ...................................................................................................................................................................... 7 4.2 Guatemala ................................................................................................................................................................. 9 5 Value Chain Mapping in the Border Area ......................................................................... 11 5.1 Value Chain A: Energy Industry ............................................................................................................................. 11 5.1.1 Key Industry Characteristics and Economic Indicators ...................................................................................... 11 5.1.2 Mapping of Key Players in the Value Chain ...................................................................................................... 13 5.1.3 Key Challenges and Barriers to Development .................................................................................................... 14 5.1.4 Opportunities for Cross-Border Collaboration ................................................................................................... 14 5.2 Value Chain B: Information Technology (focus on agriculture) ..................................................................... 15 5.2.1 Key Industry Characteristics and Economic Indicators ...................................................................................... 15 5.2.2 Mapping of Key Players in the Value Chain ...................................................................................................... 17 5.2.3 Key Challenges and Barriers to Development .................................................................................................... 18 5.2.4 Opportunities for Cross-Border Collaboration ................................................................................................... 18 6 Prioritization of Value Chains ........................................................................................... 19 7 Recommendations for Next Tasks ..................................................................................... 20 : Contact Details of Interviewees ......................................................................... 21 : Bibliography ...................................................................................................... 23 : European Commission programs relevant to INNOVACT in this region ......... 24 : Additional information on Industries and Value Chains ................................... 25 : Mexico – Guatemala Binational Commission ................................................... 28 Tables Table 1 Preliminary stakeholder mapping ......................................................................... Fehler! Textmarke nicht definiert. Figures Figure 1 Overview of team structure and organisation of work ........................................ Fehler! Textmarke nicht definiert. 3 1 Summary in EN Mexico and Guatemala share a long border (over 900 km) and is characterized by a strong economic and social interdependence. This border runs between the Guatemalan departments of San Marcos, Huehuetenango, El Quiché and El Petén; and the Mexican states of Campeche, Tabasco and Chiapas. Bilateral relations between both countries have been historically profound and diverse since 1848. They have particularly strengthened during the last decade. For instance, between 2013 and 2016, more than 40 bilateral agreements were signed. México and Guatemala have today different mechanisms of cooperation such as the Mexico-Guatemala Binational Commission that brings together government institutions from both countries, related to issues on the bilateral agenda (Technical and Scientific Cooperation, Economic and Political Affairs, Social Development, and Energy, among others). The Tuxtla Mechanism is another initiative, created in 1991, which aims to promote political dialogue, consolidate peace, democracy and foster regional cooperation among Central American countries. This mechanism also encourages joint economic projects and the creation of regional cooperation actions. Also, in 1998, Mexico and Guatemala signed a Basic Agreement on Technical and Scientific Cooperation, which includes the following topics: Exchanges of specialists, researchers and university professors; Joint or coordinated implementation of programs, research projects and technological development linking research and industry centers; Exchange of information on scientific and technological research; Organization of seminars, workshops and conferences. With respect to specific efforts related to economic development, in 2011, Mexico signed a Free Trade Agreement with Central America (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras y Nicaragua), and one of its objectives is to strengthen the competitiveness of its companies and to encourage the dynamic participation of the different economic agents through impulse to innovation and creativity. Recently, in June 2017, during the visit of the Mexican president to Guatemala, bi-national efforts were updated, focusing on trade and investment through technical assistance in export promotion models, attraction of investments and exchange of business intelligence methodologies. Given the complexity of economic and social activities in both countries, and the binational strategy for regional integration, the focus of the national priorities in the following pages will consider a wide scope of the border area , including the group of Mexican states in the Southern region (mainly Campeche, Chiapas, Yucatan and Tabasco) and almost the entire country on the side of Guatemala. It is also important to note that both countries have a very active policy for value chain development, focusing on strategic sectors (both at national and regional level), particularly in high value added activities such as ICT and energy, in order to stimulate the diversification of their economies. Existing value chains in the area were analysed under various criteria through direct interviews with stakeholders, concluding that the rest of the project will be centered in Energy and ICTs . As both industries have a cross-sector impact, it is important to consider their links to the other value chains in the region, such as ICT and agriculture , or energy and environmental preservation and the indirect effect on tourism. 4 2 Resumen en ES México y Guatemala comparten una larga frontera (más de 900 km) y se caracterizan por una fuerte interdependencia económica y social. Esta frontera corre entre los departamentos guatemaltecos de San Marcos, Huehuetenango, El Quiché y El Petén; y los estados mexicanos de Campeche, Tabasco y Chiapas. Las relaciones bilaterales entre ambos países han sido históricamente profundas y diversas desde 1848 y se han fortalecido especialmente durante la última década. Por ejemplo, entre 2013 y 2016, se firmaron más de 40 acuerdos bilaterales. México y Guatemala tienen hoy diferentes mecanismos de cooperación como la Comisión Binacional México-Guatemala que reúne a instituciones gubernamentales de ambos países, relacionadas con temas de la agenda bilateral (Cooperación Técnica y Científica, Asuntos Económicos y Políticos, Desarrollo Social y Energía, entre otros). El Mecanismo de Tuxtla es otra iniciativa, creada en 1991, cuyo objetivo es promover el diálogo político, consolidar la paz, la democracia y fomentar la cooperación regional entre los países centroamericanos. Este mecanismo también fomenta proyectos económicos conjuntos y la creación de acciones de cooperación regional. Además, en 1998, México y Guatemala firmaron un Acuerdo Básico de Cooperación Técnica y Científica, que incluye los siguientes temas: Intercambio de especialistas, investigadores y profesores universitarios; Ejecución conjunta o coordinada de programas, proyectos de investigación y desarrollo tecnológico que vinculen centros de investigación y de industrias; Intercambio de información sobre investigación científica y tecnológica; Organización de seminarios, talleres y conferencias. Con respecto a los esfuerzos específicos relacionados con el desarrollo económico, en 2011 México firmó un Tratado