Accomplished Senior Economist with over 25 years of experience in agricultural trade. Expertly led Mexican trade agreements using strategic insight and an empowering leadership approach. A respected voice in the Mexican agricultural trade arena, deeply committed to harnessing trade's potential to bolster food security and promote sustainable agricultural practices. Esteemed representative at regional and multilateral agricultural forums. Pursuing a Ph.D. in Strategic Planning and a Master's Degree in International Public Policy from Johns Hopkins University.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Agricultural Counselor to the European Union
Ministry Of Agriculture And Rural Development
2020.01 - Current
Led the Ministry of Agriculture's representation in international agricultural fora, including the Committee on Agriculture at the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Advocated for the impact of Mexican agricultural policy on international trade.
Analyzed European agricultural and trade policies and databases to map and create opportunities for boosting agricultural trade with Mexico to more than 1.6 billion euros.
Assessed changes in the European economic, social, and environmental regulatory framework, providing weekly updates to advise Mexican exporters on sanitary and technical requirements to improve trade and due diligence compliance.
Implemented technical support and capacity development on marketing strategies, trade policy, and consumer preferences in the European market. This action involved organizing promotional activities, webinars, e-learning courses, and workshops to foster Mexican exports and identifying optimal distribution channels.
Forged strategic partnerships with key European Institutions, facilitating policy dialogue and preventing trade disputes; established a network of 50+ influential stakeholders to drive collaborative solutions and promote diplomatic relations.
Served as a System Council member to advocate for Mexico’s interests and influenced decision-making processes regarding the CGIAR agricultural research portfolio valued at over USD 200 million in 2022.
Chaired the Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS) in 2021 and convened a special meeting just ten days after the start of the conflict in Ukraine. Got an agreement to continue sharing reliable data, strengthening policy dialog, and avoiding any measure that would disrupt global food trade.
Wrote material to promote and advocate for global sustainable agriculture practices and open trade in international organizations and meetings, mainly the WTO, OECD, G20, and the AMIS.
General Director of Finance, CFO
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
2019.01 - 2020.02
Managed the allocation and use of human, financial, and operational resources and implemented cost-saving measures to achieve a budget reduction of more than 30 percent in 2021.
Coordinated the planning, operation, and control of the annual budget, which amounted to USD 13.3 million in current spending and USD 256 million in agricultural subsidies in 2019.
Conducted due diligence on suppliers in financial services, capacity development, and ICTs, ensuring compliance with anti-corruption and energy efficiency regulations, leading to a 10% increase.
General Coordinator of Trade Negotiations
Ministry Of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fishing, And Food
2006.01 - 2018.12
Negotiated and defined strategic elements of the Agriculture Chapter of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which retained the provisions for tariff- and quota-free agricultural trade instituted by the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and integrated new social and environmental provisions.
Led more than 20 bilateral trade negotiations with countries from Asia (Japan, Korea), Latin America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Peru, and Chile), the European Union, and the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (CPTPP) regional negotiations.
Guided consultations with farmers and private stakeholders to formulate and implement effective trade policies for improving market access of sensitive products within the Mexican bilateral and multilateral trade agreements and enhance further participation in trade negotiations.
Promoted a public-private partnership with the World Economic Forum, involving over 40 national and international food companies to foster investment in the Mexican agriculture sector.
Reviewed data collection and reporting of agricultural support and trade policies to ensure compliance with information requirements of the OECD and the WTO and provided capacity building to Mexican officials to implement evidence-based agricultural policies coherent with Mexico’s WTO binding commitments.
Collaborated with six international organizations, including FAO, OECD, and the World Bank, to conduct economic analysis, draft policy notes, and mobilize financial resources for technical cooperation and international loans.
Director of International Trade Negotiations
Agency Of Supports And Services For Agricultural Marketing (ASERCA)
2003.01 - 2006.01
Guided cross-functional teams to analyze international trade indicators for key agricultural commodities. The findings supported the formulation of trade agreements and negotiations, resulting in improved market conditions for exporters.
Conducted in-depth research and analysis of Mexican agriculture and trade policies; compiled detailed reports for submission to the WTO, providing insights and recommendations to prevent exceeding the Aggregate Measure of Support limit.
Sub-director of Multilateral Trade Negotiations
Agency Of Supports And Services For Agricultural Marketing (ASERCA)
1999.01 - 2003.01
Conducted research on agricultural commodities to provide critical inputs for briefing reports, policy discussions, and presentations to senior officials, enabling informed decision-making and facilitating market intelligence.
Head of Department of International Financing
Ministry Of Agriculture, Livestock And Rural Development (SAGAR)
1994.01 - 1999.01
Appraised two agricultural projects financed by the Inter-American Development Bank and the World Bank to guarantee proper implementation.
Education
Ph.D. - Strategic Planning And Development Policies
Director of the Regional College of Agriculture at Ministry Of Agriculture And Rural DevelopmentDirector of the Regional College of Agriculture at Ministry Of Agriculture And Rural Development