2006
SCT – Master Plan for Multimodal Corridors
On behalf of the Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes (SCT), USTDA
signed a $1,323,900 technical assistance grant for the development of a Master Plan to promote efficient multimodal corridors in Mexico. The objective of this grant is to strengthen North American competitiveness by expanding transportation and trade capacity in Mexico and ensuring the continued safe, secure, and efficient exchange of goods across our borders.
BANSEFI – Financial Literacy Education Tool
BANSEFI, Mexico’s National Savings Bank, is the beneficiary of a $697,550 grant which will support technical assistance in the development of a financial literacy education tool, similar to the FDIC Money Smart, to be used by Mexican formal banking community to reach out to low-income Mexican citizens. This training tool will cover the uses, benefits and various forms of basic financial products including checking and savings accounts, home mortgage products, funds transfer, car loans, pension funds and retirement products. The project seeks to increase Mexico’s capital mobilization through increased savings deposits stemming from the $20 billion in annual remittances, thereby improving the lives of Mexican citizens and strengthening Mexico’s financial sector.
Financiera Rural – Rural Agricultural “Train-the-Trainers”
USTDA signed a $847,109 grant with Financiera Rural, Mexico’s rural agricultural lender, to support the establishment of a bank officer training program that responds to the need for greater skill in project finance, risk assessment, credit and loan analysis through the development, implementation and electronic recording of two levels of bank officer training programs. The training programs will significantly improve the quality of loans extended to the agricultural community and have a direct impact on the Mexican rural financial system and rural community economic growth.
2005
NAFINSA – Energy Efficiency Fund
USTDA awarded a $100,000 grant to support technical assistance related to the establishment of a debt finance program for energy efficiency projects in Mexico.
The goal is to enable NAFINSA to administer, finance and market an Energy Efficiency Finance Program that will provide long-term, take-out financing to private sector energy service companies and to vendors of energy efficiency equipment and services that have development public and private sector projects.
PEMEX – Orientation Visit
USTDA welcomed PEMEX officials responsible for environmental projects, for an orientation visit (OV). USTDA responded to a June 2005 announcement that PEMEX planned to invest $3 billion over the next three years in projects aimed at improving environmental conservation, industrial safety, and social and economic development. PEMEX officials met with U.S. suppliers of remediation technologies, wastewater treatment equipment, monitoring equipment, emissions controls, and waste minimization services.
NAFINSA- Fund of Funds
USTDA awarded a $277,300 grant to support technical assistance related to the creation of an investment catalyst fund to improve market access and efficiency in Mexico.
The grant will be used to provide technical assistance to NAFINSA in the reorganization of four Mexican development banks’ funds into an independent incorporated entity known as the “Fund of Funds.”
State of Puebla – Valsequillo Watershed Wastewater Treatment
USTDA awarded a $797,000 grant for a feasibility study to assess the expansion and rehabilitation of the water supply, wastewater and drainage management infrastructure in the Valsequillo watershed area. The objective of the Valsequillo watershed clean-up project is to reverse the current process of ecological degradation that is occurring throughout the watershed and promote the potential for economic development as a result of improved conditions. This will be accomplished through the construction of new treatment plants; the rehabilitation of existing treatment plants; and the installation of piping systems for potable water, wastewater and storm drainage in the Valsequillo watershed.
State of Northern Baja California – Tijuana Water and Waste Modernization
USTDA awarded a $599,750 grant for a feasibility study aimed at the modernization of the City of Tijuana’s water and waste treatment capacity. The objective of this project is to develop uses and a market for residual waste produced in the four major wastewater treatment plants in Tijuana, establish a new water and waste treatment plant to cover the growing treatment needs of the Popotla region and incorporate an effective telemetry systems to monitor, control and manage the expanded distribution and collection systems.
State of Northern Baja California – Tijuana Intermodal Terminal
USTDA awarded a $427,861 grant for a feasibility study to develop the Tijuana Intermodal Terminal in order to address the current lack of adequate and efficient transportation infrastructure in Northwest Mexico. The planned site is centrally located to connect principal distribution channels in the area: the Port of Ensenada, the Tijuana Airport, the Mexicali Intermodal Terminal and the Carrizo Gorge Railway which connects with Union Pacific distribution lines in the Southwest U.S., offering a critical connection to activities in Los Angeles and Long Beach. The terminal will provide a hub to enhance trade logistics for both international and domestic shipments, as well as the possibility for obtaining coveted Customs pre-clearance.
State of Sonora – Housing Finance Reform
USTDA awarded a $250,000 grant for technical assistance to the Cadastral and Registry Institute (ICRESON) to develop institutional, legal and transactional reforms to the current real estate securitization system in Northwestern Mexico.