The term MINT (also formerly known as MIKT or MIST) refers to the economies of Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Turkey. As 2014 approaches, the Institute of Export looks at how the MINT markets will celebrate New Year.

Mexico

On New Year’s Eve Mexicans enjoy a late-night dinner with their families, the traditional meal being turkey and mole (a chilli-based sauce). As the clock chimes midnight, they will eat a grape with each of the twelve chimes while making a wish with each one.

Homes are decorated in in colours that represent their hopes for improvements in the upcoming year: red for lifestyle and love, yellow for employment, green for finances and white for health. Another tradition is to make a list of all the bad or unhappy events over the past 12 months; before midnight, this list is thrown into a fire, symbolizing the removal of negative energy before the start of the coming year.

Indonesia

Hotels, discos and major restaurants in Indonesia offer special meals, entertainment and dancing as Indonesians celebrate New Year’s Eve with revelry throughout urban areas, partying with their families, siblings, and friends.

Trumpets and fireworks are viewed as important elements of the evening and many people take part in a city convoy of cars and motorcycles.

Nigeria

Here many people observe New Year’s Eve by going to Church, while others head to nightclubs, and parties organised by individuals, communities and even the Lagos State government, which runs Africa’s biggest New Year’s event, the Lagos Countdown.

Held in the Eko Atlantic City, this spectacular event was created to boost tourism, making Lagos a premium destination for business and leisure. Kicking in December and lasting till the 1st of January, it is attended by around 100,000 people and attracts thousands of domestic and foreign tourists who are entertained every evening by different artists.

Turkey

In Turkey, Santa Claus is associated with New Year’s Eve instead of Christmas, so even though Turkish people generally don’t celebrate Christmas, decorating Christmas trees is a very popular tradition on New Year’s Eve.

Other decorations and customs, traditionally associated with Christmas and other national festivals, are part of various celebrations. Homes and streets feature twinkling lights, small gifts are exchanged and large meals are organised with family and friends. Large public and private parties are organised in cities and towns, featuring dancing, concerts, laser and lightshows as well as the traditional countdown to midnight and fireworks display.

Wherever you are in the world, our team at the Institute of Export wishes you a great break and a very Happy New Year.