Doubts Persist Over Mexican Contract Terms: Will the Government Get it Right in Time?
A few weeks after the electorate takes to the polls, the government faces another, more demanding examination of its most important achievement thus far: the opening of the nation´s hydrocarbons industry to private and foreign investment, when companies submit bids on the first batch of contracts under Round One. Duncan Wood discusses contract terms in this article with the Financial Times.
On June 7, Mexican voters will go to the ballot box in mid-term elections that will be viewed as a test of the Enrique Pena Nieto presidency and of the ruling PRI party. Despite the many challenges facing the government, it is likely that the president and his party will pass that test by winning a majority in the national Chamber of Deputies, as well as a number of gubernatorial races across the country.
However, a few weeks after the electorate takes to the polls, the government faces another, more demanding examination of its most important achievement thus far: the opening of the nation´s hydrocarbons industry to private and foreign investment, when companies submit bids on the first batch of contracts under Round One. The outcome of that test is far from certain, and there endure substantial concerns in the oil industry over the contract terms that have been issued by the government to date. In fact, there is a growing sense that, unless the government makes major changes to the contract terms, few foreign companies will choose to participate on this occasion.
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Mexico Institute
The Mexico Institute seeks to improve understanding, communication, and cooperation between Mexico and the United States by promoting original research, encouraging public discussion, and proposing policy options for enhancing the bilateral relationship. A binational Advisory Board, chaired by Luis Téllez and Earl Anthony Wayne, oversees the work of the Mexico Institute. Read more
