We are proud to be granted an interview with Mr. Rafael Gimenez, who in despite of being only thirty years old has positioned himself as one of the most reliable experts in Business Law in Mexico. In this short time he founded Gimenez & Asociados Abogados (GAA) with his brother Mr. Manuel Gimenez in 2000. “Before we founded GAA, I started to take on clients because I needed to pay my University tuition. I was fortunate enough to work with entrepreneurs who didn't mind that I still hadn't finished me career”.

Interviewer How would you describe the present legal environment in Mexico for Foreign Companies and investors?

Rafael Gimenez I think that Mexico is still one of the most attractive countries to invest in within Latin America. For example, Mexico City is the second largest city in the World in which you can find on one side the most fancy and glamorous lifestyle in America and simultaneously

Interviewer What are the advantages for a foreign Company investing in Mexico?

Rafael Gimenez 1. Our labor force is one of the best reasons to invest in Mexico. We have honest and professional people who are capable of developing competitive companies. 2. Mexico has the best and most stable economy in Latin America. 3. We are pioneers in International Free Trade Agreements; any Mexican Company formed with Foreign Investments can take the advantages of the International Agreements.

Interviewer What are the most common errors that Foreign Investors make when they try to buy a property or they try to cross borders with their businesses?

Rafael Gimenez First of all, they need to know that the best way to do business in Mexico is to do things properly and not take short cuts. Never trust people who don't show you their Official Licenses. It's important to find qualified assistance. Particularly in the case when it come to buying property; investors are often seduced by people who say they have connections with the government and that they can obtain all the required permits for you. In most cases the property investor looses their money and there is no way to get it back. Businesses are different in that most investors know how to do business and most of the assistants in Mexico do not.

Interviewer How about Franchise Development in Mexico for foreign companies, how are they doing and what is the legal framework?

Rafael Gimenez There are more Foreign Franchises in Mexico than the National Franchises, and the number is growing every year. The most important factor when introducing a Franchise in Mexico is for a Company to have good profits. That is the case for ninety-seven percent of them. In fact, many Franchises have found in Mexico a good preparatory introduction to later expansion into Central and South America.

Additionally, in 2006 the IP Mexican Law established new legal regulations to help facilitate relations between Franchisor and Franchisee. These regulations did away with unnecessary legal obstacles. Franchises in Mexico are still free to develop their businesses using the legal tools that they are used to.