Key Investments in Nuevo León by Swedes
The Swedish Ambassador to Mexico, Gunnar Aldén, has once again highlighted Suecia’s strong investment interest in Nuevo León with the arrival of SKF, Volvo’s largest plant globally, and ABB’s new office expansion in Monterrey.
SKF and Volvo’s Investments
Ambassador Aldén mentioned to El Economista, “Two years ago, we had a significant investment from SKF with a new plant. We also have Volvo Group’s $700 million investment, which will be one of the largest plants globally or the biggest Volvo plant. These are examples of major Swedish companies in Nuevo León.”
ABB’s New Office and Job Creation in Monterrey
He further stated, “On May 6, we will inaugurate ABB’s new offices here (in Monterrey), employing 120 people for services and consultancy activities. This is an investment of around $50 million, which might grow in the coming years.”
Strong Government Relations and Collaboration Opportunities
Ambassador Aldén emphasized the strong relationship with the state government, leading to a meeting with Governor Samuel García Sepúlveda on May 6. “This will be my fourth visit to Monterrey as the Swedish Ambassador to Mexico,” he noted.
During his recent work trip to Europe, Governor Samuel García Sepúlveda visited Suecia and other countries to diversify markets and promote advanced manufacturing, electromobility, and logistics sectors.
Atrative Sectors for Swedish Investment
Ambassador Aldén explained, “We aim for more exchange, not just companies coming here. The automotive sector is significant in Sweden and crucial for Nuevo León, fostering more connections. We also seek academic cooperation, as Swedes work closely with the ‘triple helix’ model.”
He added, “Swedish companies have a strong presence in the State of Mexico and around Mexico City. We’ve had fruitful conversations and investments in Jalisco and Querétaro, with interest from other federal entities as well.”
Gender Equality and Cultural Exchange on the Agenda
Beyond commercial interests, Ambassador Aldén stressed the importance of addressing gender equality and cultural matters. “We want to work on exporting Swedish pop music, which is vital for Suecia and widely used in Mexico via Spotify.”
He elaborated on their interest in supporting companies with gender policies, referencing a study on the salary gap and a seminar promoting more women in leadership roles based on their experience.
Key Questions and Answers
- What sectors are attractive for Swedish investment? Ambassador Aldén highlighted the automotive sector’s importance in Suecia and Nuevo León, emphasizing academic cooperation and the ‘triple helice’ model.
- What is the Swedish government’s focus beyond commerce? Gender equality and cultural exchange are crucial, with a desire to support companies implementing gender policies and promote dialogue on these matters.
