Mexico's president eyes closer economic, trade ties with Asia-Pacific

Andres

MEXICO CITY, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Monday stressed the economic and trade potential in the Asia-Pacific region, especially China, saying his government aims to bolster trade with countries in the region.

One of his government's strategic projects is to build a bicoastal corridor in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, a narrow area of land in southern Mexico, between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, he said.

"We have the possibility to connect the Pacific with the Atlantic in this 230-kilometer stretch of territory," Lopez Obrador told investors at the presentation by the Investment, Employment and Economic Growth Promotion Council.

As part of the development push in the isthmus, the government will modernize two ports -- Salina Cruz and Coatzacoalcos -- as well as a rail line for cargo trains, said Lopez Obrador.

"To stimulate investment," the administration is also considering creating a duty-free zone in the area, he said.