MEXICO CITY, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Mexican President Felipe Calderon on Friday voiced his confidence that the country can tide over the current international economic crisis with "unity" and "determination."

    Calderon made the remarks in Los Pinos, presidential house, while attending the signature ceremony of the National Agreement for the Working Productivity, the most important one in the last 15 years.

    The president said that the first three months of this year "have been worse regarding economy" for Mexico in more than 10 years, but stressing that the country has shown its unity in face of the economic slowdown.

    "We have given example to the world of solidarity, discipline and nationalism with unity. I am sure that with this unity we will surpass the difficult situation that our economy is living," Calderon said.

    The most important during an economic crisis is "to know what concrete things and decision we can make or take to make the country move on," he added, describing the signing of the agreement as "a great step to surpass the crisis."

    "A country with more productive workers and companies is a country with more capacity to surpass the economic adversity," Calderon said.

    The agreement will benefit over 105,000 workers with short-term training and it will allow small and medium enterprises to get technical advisory from specialists.

25,000 restaurant staffs lose jobs in Mexico City in flu suspension

    MEXICO CITY, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Some 25,000 people lost their jobs due to the previous closure of more than 2,500 restaurants in Mexico City amid the A/H1N1 flu fears, authorities said on Friday.

    President of the National Chamber of the Restaurant Industry and Seasoned Food (Canirac), Francisco Mijares, said the slow reactivation of the economic activities in Mexico City was not felt in restaurants despite reopening two weeks ago.  Full story

Special Report:  Global Financial Crisis