January 14, 2008
Mexican
President Calderón’s Message for the New Year
Presidency
of the Republic
Friends:
We are beginning the year 2008 with great challenges
and new opportunities for Mexico.
Last year we launched a project to construct a safer,
prosperous Mexico, with a stable, expanding economy, a Mexico with equal opportunities, and a clean Mexico that will protect
its natural resources.
This year we will have the opportunity to consolidate
this project for everyone's benefit.
2008 marks the next stage in the Trade Liberalization
of North America, arranged by previous governments.
Like any agreement of this nature, it has challenges
and opportunities, although in general it has proven beneficial for Mexicans since it has enabled us as consumers to have
better quality products at better prices, which in turn has enabled more Mexican products to be exported. These include cars
produced in Chihuahua, Puebla, Sonora, Mexico State and Guanajuato, as well as avocados from Michoacán, tomatoes and vegetables
from Sinaloa, cattle from Tabasco and Chiapas and citrus fruits from Veracruz and Colima.
2008 also marks the end of the liberalization process
for beans, corn, sugar and milk. This is a process that has not just begun but started 14 years ago; it is a process that
has benefited millions of consumers rather than harmed Mexico.
In 2007, some of these products had already begun
to be imported without tariffs, yet despite this the country had a record harvest of corn with the best prices for Mexican
producers; and the second largest sugar cane harvest.
Beyond trade liberalization, I would like to stress
the fact that my government is committed to promoting the Mexican countryside as a priority for the country's development,
which we will achieve through more credit and support for our producers.
In 2008, for example, we will assign over 200 billion
pesos to the Mexican countryside, the largest budget in the country's history.
At the same time and despite the fact that last year
saw a number of international price increases in commodities such as oil, corn and wheat, we achieved one of the lowest price
increases in our history and also worldwide.
Rest assured that we will supervise the behavior of
prices and that we will make every effort to prevent abuse and unjustified increases that will affect families' economies.
We are also taking measures to ensure that economic
and employment growth continues, despite the poor performance of the US economy.
For example, today I ordered a 30%, and in some cases
up to 50%, decrease in industrial electricity rates at peak times in order to boost the competitiveness of the productive
apparatus and thereby create more jobs for Mexicans.
Mexico will continue growing and creating opportunities
for all.
The Tax Reform for Those with Least, passed by Congress
last year, will enable us to make the greatest investment government has made in decades.
Above all, we will invest in infrastructure to incorporate
the development of the country’s most marginalized zones, to create employment and improve the competitiveness of our
economy.
Together, the Public and Private Sectors will assign
over 500 billion pesos this year solely for the expansion and improvement of national infrastructure.
This investment will enable us to construct and modernize
nearly 4,000 km of roads and rural roads, and we will launch the Suburban Train in the Valley of Mexico from the center of
Mexico City to Cuautitlán.
We will consolidate the hydraulic infrastructure that
is so badly needed, for example, in the Valley of Mexico, Tabasco and other parts of the country.
In 2008 we will also be working intensely to reduce
inequality through the 70 and Over Program that will now reach all of the communities with fewer than 10,000 inhabitants,
and we will provide financial support for more than 1,600,000 senior citizens.
In addition, we will double the resources for the
Child Daycare Centers that already look after over 100,000 children, and we will provide Medical Insurance for a New Generation
for all the newborn babies in families that do not yet have social security.
In order to look after your families and children,
this year we will redouble our efforts to combat organized crime and continue working to ensure that we have honest, highly
trained professional policemen that are able to guarantee Mexicans' safety.
Using state-of-the art technology and police intelligence,
we will combat impunity and reduce the scope for crime.
I would invite all the municipal and state governments
in the country to join forces in this struggle.
In short, we will have a year with major challenges
but we will be able to overcome them.
We are beginning 2008 with a clear sense of direction,
achievable goals and the determination to construct a Mexico in which we will all live better.
I hope that 2008 will be a good year for all of you
and your families, but rather than simply wishing for this I would ask you to make 2008 a good year for Mexico through your
work [and] study, and in your homes and public responsibilities.
I would invite you to join me in leading Mexico to
a better future.
Once again, congratulations and thank you for your
attention.
——————————
(Presidency of the Republic, January 8, 2007, Mexico
City)
Translation Presidency of the Republic
