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Maquila set up involves dedication
Setting up a maquiladora involves dedication and hard work.
When a business is interested in setting up a maquiladora, an attorney
essentially takes care of what is needed. This can involve everything from obtaining environmental permits, to negotiating the land purchase, to construction of the building with the contractors. They also help get the
corporate registration with the tax authorities, Social Security Administration, and all the local, state and federal agencies that require registrations.
"Basically, attorneys assist companies establish their
Mexican operations," said Tito Torres, of Martin, Drought and Torres, attorneys at law. Torres has been involved in the maquiladora industry for 25 years. He set up the second maquiladora in Reynosa, as well as many
other companies.
"Because of NAFTA, we've had a significant amount of increased trade, and with increased trade, you have increased problems," Torres said. General problems that arise from time to time may involve
the Social Security Administration, the state tax office, the federal tax office, customs and Immigration.
"We assist companies also by negotiating their collected bargaining agreements with the union and we prepare
the collected bargaining agreements," Torres said.
If problems arise after the maquiladora is set up, an attorney may just have the answer.
"Right now, some of our lawyers are accompanying a client to the federal
tax office because they have been unable to get the value-added tax reimbursement that they are suppose to be getting," Torres said.
Attorneys also represent maquiladora related clients like contractors, banks and
some industrial park owners.
"In representing industrial park owners, we prepare the building restrictions for industrial parks, prepare the leases, and help them with the negotiations," Torres said. "We've
represented just about anybody in the maquiladora business."
"We're basically problem solvers. If there is a problem involving a maquiladora, we help solve it," he said. |
