BUILDING and maintaining our international networks will see Mexican Ambassador to the UK, Julián Ventura Valero, visit Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce next week.
Mexico’s new energy reform ended 75 years of state monopoly in the local oil and gas sector. Over the last five years an increasingly successful series of bidding rounds has awarded onshore, shallow and deep water plays to international oil companies, including significant players from the UK, demonstrating that interest continues in this market.
Very early, post reform, the North-east of Scotland was an area of focus. We hosted the President of Mexico in 2015 and have continued to build relationships for the benefit of our members with delegations from Pemex, ProMexico and indigenous oil and gas companies looking to tap into the expertise our region has to offer; as well as leading trade missions there in 2015, 2016 and 2017.
Whilst Mexico has a national goal of 35% of power from clean energies by 2024, exploiting their mineral reserves is a continuing priority. We are pleased to welcome the Mexican Ambassador to the UK, Julián Ventura Valero, to the Chamber on Friday, 20th April.
During a private roundtable breakfast he will engage with businesses and stakeholders in the region, to discuss the progress and development of the oil and gas industry in the Gulf of Mexico and emerging opportunities.
The Elizabethan poet John Donne wrote: ‘no man is an island’, expressing the idea that human beings do badly when isolated from others and need to be part of a community in order to thrive. The same can be said of businesses.
Building connections and learning opportunities for our members’ core markets is important to us. In addition to Mexico, you have told us that markets of interest also include USA, Canada, Brazil, Saudi Arabia and a number of African countries. During the first quarter of this year we have met with and hosted visitors, delegations and representatives from the USA, Canada, Ghana, Mexico, Brazil, Angola and Nigeria.
The second quarter kicks off with Ambassador Ventura Valero’s visit and in May we will ‘visit’ Saudi Arabia with the Saudi British Joint Business Council, Wood and the Saudi Arabia General Investment Authority SAGIA, exploring emerging opportunities in the largest economy in the Arab world.
As we travel through 2018, we will keep you updated with activity on your other core markets.