Ricardo Salinas, Recipient of 2009 Good Neighbor Award, Receives US-Mexico Chamber of Commerce Delegation in Mexico City

Ricardo Salinas, Recipient of 2009 Good Neighbor Award, Receives US-Mexico Chamber of Commerce Delegation in Mexico City

MEXICO CITY, Dec. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of a three-day binational summit, Grupo Salinas Founder and Chairman Ricardo Salinas received the President of the US-Mexico Chamber of Commerce (USMCOC) Al Zapanta in a closed door session this week.

The recognition of the Good Neighbor Award was presented to Mr. Salinas Pliego for his entrepreneurial spirit on both sides of the border, including the operation of the Spanish-language television network Azteca America in the U.S., and Grupo Elektra, Banco Azteca, TV Azteca and Grupo Iusacell in Mexico.

The USMCOC has also recognized Mr. Salinas Pliego for his philanthropic work with Fundacion Azteca America and its support of the Latino community in the United States, as well as the work of Fundacion Azteca in Mexico, and most recently, Fundacion Azteca operations in Peru and Guatemala.

Mssrs. Salinas and Zapanta discussed pressing issues for the business community regarding the Mexican-U.S. agenda, including the promotion of successes of NAFTA and bilateral business ventures as a way of diverting current media attention away from the negative stories that are dominating print and electronic media.

"The U.S. - Mexico relationship is one of the most important bilateral relationships in the world. In fact, this is the most important relationship to both our countries, and we should build on that," said Mr. Salinas Pliego.

"There are many success stories that are tied to U.S. - Mexico growth in commerce. Our mandate at the US-Mexican Chamber of Congress is to celebrate these successes, such as that of Ricardo Salinas Pliego," said Al Zapanta, president and CEO of the US-Mexico Chamber of Commerce.

Past recipients of the Good Neighbor Award include Carlos Slim Helu, chairman of Grupo Carso; Lorenzo Zambrano, chairman of Cemex, as well as ambassadors and ministers on both sides of the border, and two past Mexican presidents: Ernesto Zedillo and Carlos Salinas de Gortari.

About Grupo Salinas

Grupo Salinas (www.gruposalinas.com) is a group of dynamic, fast-growing and technologically advanced companies focused on creating shareholder value, contributing to building the middle class of the countries where it operates, and improving society through excellence. Created by Mexican entrepreneur Ricardo B. Salinas (www.ricardosalinas.com), Grupo Salinas operates as a management development and decision forum for the top leaders of member companies TV Azteca (www.irtvazteca.com), Azteca America (www.aztecaamerica.com), Grupo Elektra (www.grupoelektra.com.mx), Banco Azteca (www.bancoazteca.com.mx), Afore Azteca (www.aforeazteca.com.mx), Seguros Azteca (www.segurosazteca.com.mx), and Grupo Iusacell (www.iusacell.com). Each of the Grupo Salinas companies operates independently with its own management, board of directors and shareholders. Grupo Salinas has no equity holdings. However, member companies share a common vision, values and strategies for achieving rapid growth, superior results and world-class performance.

About Fundacion Azteca

Fundacion Azteca is the organization of Grupo Salinas that promotes corporate, social and ecological responsibility, joining needs with organizations and individuals willing to make commitments to create solutions. For more information, visit www.fundacionazteca.com.

About Fundacion Azteca America and other international operations

Fundacion Azteca America is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for members of the Hispanic community residing in the United States. Fundacion Azteca America, Fundacion Azteca, Azteca America and TV Azteca are companies of Mexican conglomerate Grupo Salinas. For more information, visit www.fundacionaztecaamerica.org. Outside of Mexico, Fundacion Azteca also operates in Peru and Guatemala.

About the USMCOC

USMCOC is a nonprofit bilateral coalition of businessmen established in 1973 to promote trade, investment and joint ventures on both sides of the border, honors public and private sector leaders for their vision and continued commitment to closer commercial relations between Mexico and the United States.

Grupo Salinas International Media Contact:
Daniel McCosh
011 52 55 1720 0059
dmccosh@gruposalinas.com

Source: Grupo Salinas, Ricardo Salinas Pliego, TV Azteca, Azteca America,
Grupo Elektra, Grupo Iusacell

CONTACT: Grupo Salinas International Media Contact: Daniel McCosh,
+011-52-55-1720-0059, dmccosh@gruposalinas.com

Web site: http://www.aztecaamerica.com/

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