Reuters | January 31, 2011 | Cyntia Barrera Diaz and Veronica Gomez
* Slim, world’s richest person, to invest $3.6 bln in Mexico
* Mine unit looking to expand in Mexico and beyond
* Held conference at art-packed Mexico City office (Adds details on Swecomex, Dish)
MEXICO CITY, Jan 31 (Reuters) – Mexican tycoon Carlos Slim said on Monday he plans to boost his investment in Mexico this year by about 20 percent to $3.6 billion, with telecoms, mining and infrastructure taking center stage.
Slim, the world’s richest person according to Forbes, will invest 10 billion pesos in America Movil (AMXL.MX) (AMX.N), Latin America’s leading cell phone provider, and 10 billion pesos in Telefonos de Mexico, the country’s top fixed-line phone company.
Another 10 billion pesos will be invested in Slim’s mining company Frisco (MFRISCOA1.MX), and 13 billion pesos more in his infrastructure firm Ideal (IDEALB1.MX), the billionaire said. He did not elaborate on Frisco’s metal production.
Slim received some 90 reporters and guests at one of his offices in the capital and offered them hors d’oeuvres, paella and chocolate cake served in the trademark blue china from his Sanborns restaurant chain.
He said he was open to new acquisitions of mines or land. “We are looking at other places in America, from here south,” Slim said.
Frisco produced 199,791 ounces of gold and 5.5 million ounces of silver at its Mexican operations in 2010 and has said it will expand output in 2011.
…..
