USA, Canada, China, South Korea, Japan.

The agricultural sector, in decline for decades, now accounts for only 4% of the country's GDP yet employs nearly 20% of the workforce. However, US moves towards ethanol power have pushed up the world price of corn (from which ethanol is produced). Mexico, the birthplace of corn and the world's fourth largest producer, is well placed to benefit.

In the service sector, tourism continues to be Mexico's biggest industry, despite some concerns about national violence, and the effects of the global recession.

Oil and manufacturing are big contributors to the country's economic health, but are at the mercy of price fluctuations, and the state of the US car industry.

Inflation is rising after a 30-year low in 2005 and in 2009 was hovering around 6%. A 30% drop in the peso since August 2008, couple with a collapse in exports to the US and an increase in unemployment due to the economic crisis has left many Mexicans feeling nervous. In 2008, growth was at 2% and unemployment at 4.1%.
Mexico, with its sophisticated conventions infrastructure, is one of the most popular destinations in the world for incentive and business travel. Some of the larger and more modern convention centers include the World Trade Center and Banamex Center, both in Mexico City, the Acapulco Convention Center, and the Cancún Convention Center, with Taxco, Morelia, Puerto Vallarta, Ixtapa, Guadalajara and Mazatlán all boasting good facilities amd convention centres.

Mexicans attach much importance to courtesy and the use of titles. English is widely spoken in business circles although it is naturally appreciated when visitors use a few words of Spanish, at least when introducing themselves. A handshake is customary upon first acquaintance, with men or women. Business wear is relatively formal. Mexicans generally avoid confrontation: if they disagree with a proposal, they rarely express that opinion outright and find it rude when others do so. Sometimes the absence of explicit approval may be interpreted as a refusal.

These vary considerably, but are usually Mon-Fri 0900-1900/2000; lunch breaks usually last an hour but some business lunches can go on for longer.