Mexico’s Institute of Finance Executives (IMEF) has recently announced that its manufacturing index remained constant in the month of December in spite of usual seasonal break, hinting continued improvement in one of the hardest –hit segments of the financial system.

The IMEF manufacturing index for December was 52.6, same as in the month of November and well above the 43.8 in December 2008.

SunEdison, a subsidiary of MEMC Electronic Materials, and Xcel Energy’s regional operating company, Southwestern Public Service Company, have signed a deal for setting up five photovoltaic solar installations in New Mexico that will total 50MW in generation capacity.

The five 10MW sites, to be situated in Lea and Eddy counties in southeastern New Mexico, will comprise a utility-scale, ground-mount system that will be totally operational by the end of 2011. In total, the power stations will successfully generate much power for more than 10,000 homes in its first full year of operation.

The majority of the residents of Mexico are upset with the decision of the local assembly, which voted in-favor of ‘same-sex marriage’. The bill was approved in the assembly by the margin of 39- to-20, making Mexico City Latin America’s first to legalize ‘same-sex marriage’.

Mucci International Marketing Inc., Kingsville, Ontario, has recently announced that it has appointed Alejandro Cabello as its new manager for Mexico and Mexican grower liaison.

According to the statement issued by the company, Cabello will be accountable for the creation, organization and direction of new projects in the country, which includes communication and relationship building with Mexican growers to look after the yearly supply of produce.

Vicente Del Bosque, coach of Spain’s national football team, will retain his coach’s cap even after the World Cup as his contract with the Spanish team has been extended up to 2012.

Mr. Angel Maria Villar, president Spanish Football Federation, said that according to the rules, coach’s contract was automatically renewed as the team qualified for the World Cup.

The board of directors is interested in keeping Del Bosque for two more years, regardless of the team’s performance, as he has constantly provided a high-level performance.

Mexican authorities of eastern province of Tabasco have arrested four persons under the charges of being involved in the murdering of four members of a marine’s family, who had died last week during a high profile drug bust.

The state's attorney Rafael Gonzalez Lastra, in a press conference on Wednesday, said that the persons arrested were the members of "Zetas", which is an armed wing of drug trafficking organization, the Gulf Cartel.

Lindsay Corp., irrigation equipment maker, announced that it has posted a 5.6 per cent rise in net profit for the first quarter of current fiscal.

For the quarter ended November 30, the company has reported net income of $6.7 million, or 53 cents per share, as compared to $6.3 million, or 51 cents per share, in the same quarter a year ago.

Lindsay’s net revenue declined 24 per cent to $86 million as against $113.1 million a year earlier. The drop is mainly contributed by a decline in revenue of irrigation equipment, which slipped 38 per cent to $53.3 million.

Mexico's trade balance has registered an unexpectedly low trade deficit of $195 million in November.

According to the preliminary report of the National Statistics Institute (INEGI), the trade deficit of the country has reduced to $195 million as against a deficit of $2.96 billion a year earlier.

The report showed that the exports in the month of November reached $22.3 billion, a 10% rise from November 2008. At the same time, imports witnessed a decline of 3.2% to $22.5 billion.

Petroleum exports increased 37% to $3.17 billion, whereas petroleum imports reduced by 30%.

Devon Energy Corporation, U. S. Oil and gas producer, on Tuesday, announced that it has agreed on a deal with Danish shipping and oil group A. P. Moller-Maersk, to sell its stake in three Gulf of Mexico oil fields.

Under the deal, Maersk will purchase stake in Cascade, Jack and St. Malo oilfields of Devan Energy for $1.3 billion in cash. The purchase will involve a 50% stake in the Cascade field and a 25% stake in both Jack as well as St. Malo oilfields. The deal will be effective from January 1, 2010, and expected to complete on or before February 1, 2010.

Mexican government is hoping to ink a free-trade deal with Brazil by the end of President Felipe Calderon’s administration in 2012.

The declaration was made by Rogelio Granguillhome, head of economic relations at Mexico’s Foreign Ministry.

Further, Mr. Calderon said, “Mexico aims to strengthen commerce with Brazil and that official from both countries, the largest economies in Latin America, would begin talks to increase investment and study a free-trade accord.”