Site Map |Introduction | R&D Statistics | Human Resources | Policies | Innovation | ICT | Investment | SME | Directories

Government policies

Introduction

Mexico's economy has improved since 1988. This has been mainly due to the changes in the economy's economic policies. These include a broadening of the tax base and a reduction of tax rates; a strengthening of the manufacturing sector; and; encouragement of foreign direct investment.

During 1995, the Mexican Government launched the National Development Plan 1995-2000 (PND, in Spanish) which comprises an extensive Science & Technology Program for the same cycle. The main goals of the latter are:

• Promote scientific and technological development
• Achieve sustainable long term economic growth thus creating better jobs and increasing Mexico’s participation in global markets
• Improve standards of living of all Mexicans
• Fulfill society’s appeal for a more dynamic S&T development

In order to accomplish these goals, some of the policies outlined w.r.t. R&D are:

1. Raise the national expenditure in S&T research and development up to 0.7% of GDP by the year 2000.
2. Enhance the quality of fundamental research activities.
3. Stimulate S&T innovation and continuous quality improvement practices within the business sector.
4. Encourage communication between science and business communities.
5. Increase international collaboration and stimulate the interaction of Mexico’s S&T communities with those abroad.
6. Improve the interaction between various S&T related institutions, increase the number of post-graduate students in S&T.

The CONACYT (Contents Indicadores de Actividades Cientificas y Tecnologicas) is the key governmental organization responsible for fostering S&T in Mexico, although other governmental organizations and several among the State Ministries sponsor in-house S&T related activities as also nearly all the public education institutions.