local 05
Friday Jan 3-9, 2014
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Jalisco Logistics Center: A Trigger of Western The Aztec Oceania Tour Mexico’s Economic Development O Located in the south of Jalisco, this project is one of the three most important of its kind in Mexico and will create over 35,000 jobs when it operates at full capacity. By Antonio Vázquez
A
n expanse covering 1,200 hectares –800 industrial and the rest for housing–, the capacity to create more than 35,000 jobs and a 1.5 billionUSD investment, are a few of the numbers of the Jalisco Logistics Center, one of three main projects to trigger Mexico’s economic development over the next eight years. “The Jalisco Logistics Center is part of the solution to increase Mexico’s competitiveness, since cost overruns in logistics are always paid by the consumer. Improving these costs will benefit end consumers,” explains Omar De Loza Jiménez, commercial director of the project. The Jalisco Logistics Center was envisioned by private initiative a couple of years ago, developed during the past administration and began operating during the current government. The benefits of the project have been the ace in the hole that has transcended administrations. Since its construction, it has created 750 direct and 1,500 indirect jobs. The 1.5 billion-USD investment in the
southern part of Jalisco –between the municipalities of Acatlán de Juárez and Zacoalco de Torres– will help trigger employment in the near future. De Loza says that over 35,000 jobs will be created and that the housing area will feature some 14,000 homes for close to 45,000 people, which means that the need for infrastructure and services in the area will create new business opportunities. The Jalisco Logistics Center is innovative in its kind because most of these projects are built in the north of Mexico, close to the US border. “We did not go in blind,” declares Omar De Loza: shown special interest in the high quality of the workforce and the strategic location within Mexico,” says De Loza. “Our great added value is composed of several elements. We have an internal customs office, a container terminal, natural gas, fiber optics. We have not reinvented the wheel, but we have taken the best, that is why we have already signed several contracts with industrial parks in Europe,” adds De Loza. To date, the Jalisco Logistics Center has international agreements with Centro Vía, the largest park of its kind in Europe, and Plaza Zaragoza, in Spain. The first stage of the Jalisco Logistics Center was opened in September 2013. The first firm, Tres Montes Luchetti, arrived in that same
month, with annual global sales of up to 2 billion USD. In this first stage of the project, 198 out of a total 250 hectares have been sold; some 40 companies have signed contracts to build warehouses in the area and two of them will begin operating in August 2014. “So far we have 11 different sectors such as metal working, auto parts, furni ture, soap, confectionery, footwear, bread, soda, electricity and electronics and pharmaceutical; we have diversified our sectors,” emphasizes the Jalisco Logistics Center’s commercial director. Moreover, the project has implemented an environmental policy. It has the technology to capture rainwater and is in the process of obtaining Integral Sustainable Urban Development (DUIS) certification. Initially, it was projected that the Jalisco Logistics Center would reach its full capacity in 10 years. Progress has cut the period to only eight years. “In eight years, we would like to have a mix of 80% Mexican and 20% foreign firms, but the ratio might change to 60-40. Mexico is going through an important time because companies are looking for new places to invest. We have to seize the moment and attract more businesses,” concludes De Loza.
Tunnel reopens to public
T
he recently constructed and promptly closed second tunnel, on Puerto Vallarta’s Libremiento has re-opened. The tunnel was closed in July during rainy season when surface cracks in the ceiling and walls were discovered. Though there was no structural damage, the secondary bypass road was closed to avoid damage to cars and/or
Shopping in the Zona Romantica – this charming neighbourhood is also called Old Town and is a popular residential area for expats and Mexican families. Along the main streets you will find shops galore, filled with wonderful
authentic crafts, clothing, jewelry, excellent restaurants, spas, theaters and more. Vibrant and friendly, this area offers an excellent day or two (or more!) of exploring. Close to Los Muertos beach, consider ending your day with a sunset
margarita at any of the many beachfront restaurants. Sunsets on the Malecon - Sitting on the edge of the Pacific Ocean never fails to give us a sunset each night. Grab a seat at any of the number of excellent bars and restaurants along the malecon,
that its influence still prevails in modern-day Mexico. A joint effort by Mexico’s National Anthropology and History Institute (INAH) and the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington, Aztecs Conquest and Glory will remain at the latter until February 9, 2014 before moving on to the Melbourne Museum (April 4 - August 10, 2014) and the Australian Museum in Sydney (September 13, 2014 - February 1, 2015). www.tepapa.govt.nz mu s e u m v i c to r i a . c o m . a u / melbournemuseum
Just in time for New Years! Fat Busting Agave Product A substance obtained from the agave plant –the same one used to produce tequila– could help combat cancer, obesity, osteoporosis and diabetes, according to Mercedes Guadalupe López-Pérez, a professor at the Research and Higher Studies Center (Cinvestav) in Irapuato. The substance is called fructan and is a non-digestible sugar molecule that goes straight to the large intestine, where it is disposed of without causing weight gain or affecting blood sugar levels. Experimental studies are currently being conducted on rats. After eight weeks on a
10% fructan diet, the rats lost weight, says López-Pérez. Rats and humans share the GLP-1 gastrointestinal or incretin hormone, which regulates as much as 70% of the body’s insulin. Consuming fructans accelerates the production of GLP-1, which is also associated with satiety. The studies conducted by Cinvestav also indicate that fructans can help boost the immune system, reduce the bacteria that cause intestinal infections, relieve constipation and reduce the risk of colon cancer. Also, rats fed with fructans absorbed more calcium from their diet.
Books Bring Droves to Guadalajara Nobel laureates Ada Yonath, Shimon Peres and Mario Vargas Llosa were among the authors, thinkers and politicians in attendance at the 27th Guadalajara International Book Fair (FIL). From November 30 through December 8, the editorial world’s second-largest event drew 600 authors, 20,000 publishers from 42 countries and over 700,000 visitors. French poet Yves Bonnefoy was awarded the FIL Romance-Language Literature Prize in the presence of writers like Alessandro Baricco, Camilla
traffic accidents. The cracks have been repaired; the lighting improved, and exhaust fans installed. With these improvements, the tunnel was approved for reopening. In addition, new signage and safety indicators were installed to ensure traffic flow and safety for motorists through both tunnels. The new second tunnel should help to alleviate some of the increase seasonal traffic.
Explore Banderas Bay
n September 2013, the Aztec traveled to New Zealand and will be continuing their tour of Oceania until February 1, 2015. Aztecs Conquest and Glory explores the origin, mythology, society, daily life, religion, and beliefs of the Aztec, a civilization that reached its apogee in the sixteenth century at the time of the Spanish Conquest. The exhibition takes visitors on a trip back in time and sheds light on how this warrior nation came to dominate Mesoamerica to the extent
order your favourite cocktail and let it all slip away. Once the sun has set, the malecon comes alive with families out for a stroll, plenty of live entertainment and later in the night, the nightclubs beckon.
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Läckberg, Etgar Keret, Gonçalo Tavares, Colm Tóibín, Jöel Dicker, Dani Umpi, Paula Parisot, Aleš Šteger, Use Lahoz, Rosa Montero, Javier Cercas, beach favourite Nicholas Sparks, Ildefonso Falcones, Forrest Gander and Leonardo Padura, to name just a few. This year’s guest country was Israel and next year the honors will go to Argentina. Over the 27 years it has been running, the FIL has attracted some 10 million visitors. www.fil.com.mx