In 1995, the United States-Mexico Chamber of Commerce (USMCOC) created the Buen Vecino Internship Program (BVIP), a binational student exchange program aimed at providing students with unique experiences.
The program helps the participants, whether they are corporate executives or university students, discuss and share ideas and knowledge on the ways to do business and international commerce between the United States and Mexico. The Buen Vecino Internship Program is administered by the United States-Mexico Cultural and Educational Foundation.
The goals of the BVIP are to:
Provide interaction between citizens of Mexico and the United States in various settings;
Foster future mutually-beneficial commercial relations between the two countries;
Provide a forum for the exchange of ideas regarding corporate environments, communications styles, culture, and international relations; and
Contribute to the development of future leaders in the areas of trade and commerce.
Foster future mutually-beneficial commercial relations between the two countries;
Provide a forum for the exchange of ideas regarding corporate environments, communications styles, culture, and international relations; and
Contribute to the development of future leaders in the areas of trade and commerce.
The success of the program can be measured mainly by a growing group of exceptionally gifted and talented individuals who have gone through the program and today hold prominent positions in the binational business and trade arena.
On this occasion, Alliance is inviting a long-standing friend of the Chamber, Santiago Creuheras, director general of Energy Efficiency and Sustainability of the Mexican Energy Secretariat (SENER) and former chairman of the International Partnership for Energy Efficiency Co-operation (IPEEC), to tell us about his experiences with the internship program and his career to date.
On this occasion, Alliance is inviting a long-standing friend of the Chamber, Santiago Creuheras, director general of Energy Efficiency and Sustainability of the Mexican Energy Secretariat (SENER) and former chairman of the International Partnership for Energy Efficiency Co-operation (IPEEC), to tell us about his experiences with the internship program and his career to date.
Alliance Magazine: What is your relationship with the U.S.-Mexico Chamber of Commerce?
Santiago Creuheras: I am an alumnus of the first class of the Good Neighbor Internship Program.
AM: What has been the main contribution the program has given you and what experience did you acquire with it?
SC: The Good Neighbor Internship Program allowed me to have hands-on experience working at a Mexican-American company that, at that time, was investing in health services in the U.S., Mexico and other Latin American countries. This opportunity enabled me to explore my executive and managerial capabilities within a very professional, ethical and competitive group.
In this same manner, I had the opportunity to participate in the Chamber’s chapter activities for the region; one of these was to organize the visit of the secretary of Commerce and Industrial Development Secretariat (SECOFI), Herminio Blanco. His visit had the objective of promoting commercial relations between Mexico and the U.S. Both experiences strengthened my desire to develop and explore different areas to create value and, actually later, receive an award from President Ernesto Zedillo for my performance in the program.
Today, I can say that the opportunity I had to participate in this program allowed me to have a very different view of the global context, the challenges and the present as well as the future of the commercial relations between the two countries.
AM: What do you consider is the impact of the U.S.-Mexico Chamber of Commerce in the bi-lateral relationship and the mutual benefit to both countries?
SC: The USMCOC is a well-constructed bridge in the relationship between the two countries. It has played a role of convergence in the economic development of Mexico and the U.S., promoting ethical and transparent trade.
The leadership demonstrated by president and CEO, Albert Zapanta, has enabled the chamber and its affiliates to set objectives and reach goals and strategies that have resulted in important benefits for both countries for over thirty years.
The chamber is an essential enabler for the lasting relationship by promoting the industry sectors that have long term vision and which have the bigger business opportunities.
Within the legal framework of the relationship between both countries, the USMCOC has excelled in promoting and establishing strong links that have translated in direct investment, human capital development, employment and other business tools.
AM: Can you talk to us about your
career trajectory?
career trajectory?
SC: I have held a few positions in Mexico’s public sector at state and federal levels in agencies like Mexico’s Secretariat of the Treasury (SHCP), Secretaría de Hacienda y Crédito Público), Secretariat of Energy (SENER, Secretaría de Energía), Office of the President of Mexico, Labor and Social Planning Secretariat (STPS, Secretaría del Trabajo y Previsión Social), the Mexican Embassy to the United States and the Federal Electoral Institute (IFE, Instituto Federal Electoral).
In addition, worked for the Economic Development Secretariat (SEDECO, Secretaría de Desarrollo Económico), Secretariat of Finances and Administration (SFA, Secretaría de Finanzas y Administración) to the state government of Puebla.
I also had the honor of representing Mexico at the France-based International Partnership for Energy Efficiency Co-operation (IPEEC).
Additionally, my career has included teaching as a university professor at UNAM (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico), Universidad Iberoamericana, Universidad de las Americas-Puebla and ITESM (Monterrey Institute of Technology).
AM: What business and investment opportunities do you see in your area?
SC: Mexico is an emerging economy committed to transforming important industries and markets. During President Enrique Peña Nieto´s administration, a great number of reforms have been enacted through the Mexican Congress including fiscal, telecommunications, transparency and energy, among others.
I believe Mexico´s Energy Reform is one of the most ambitious reforms Mexico will ever go through. The Mexican Energy Reform offers several prospects within the energy sector in oil and gas, electricity, energy efficiency and clean energies.
I am currently in charge of energy efficiency and sustainability in Mexico´s Department of Energy. This industry is wide open for interesting opportunities and investments including public and private lighting systems, air conditioning, water pumping and sewage management, housing and commercial building insulation and retrofitting, and transportation. The efficient use of energy has impacts in other areas such as health, safety and wellbeing. The goal is to decrease energy intensity in 42 percent by 2050.
Mexico is also diversifying its energy matrix considering wind, solar, hydro and geothermal energies launching projects to reach 50 percent of its generation in 2050 through clean energies. In a few words, Mexico is devoted to a unique energy transition and inclusive green growth.