Economic Outlook and Strategic Focus
Despite a challenging national economic landscape, with anticipated deceleration and trade policies by President Donald Trump alongside the upcoming review of the Mexico-United States-Canada Trade Agreement (T-MEC), Jalisco projects a positive second half of 2025, with growth in key indicators such as employment, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), and exports.
Cindy Blanco, Secretary of Economic Development (SEDECO), acknowledged the complex national scenario to El Economista: “The situation is complicated, nationally there is a certain deceleration, but we are doing what is expected of us as a state.”
Strategic Sector Focus
To achieve growth, Jalisco has implemented a strategy centered around six strategic sectors: software, semiconductors, electronics, agroindustry, logistics, and health-pharma. The state is also actively seeking investment by highlighting its competitive advantages.
“This focused strategy, with discipline, allows us to grow and attract investments, regardless of the context for sectors sensitive to trade agreements and international conditions,” Blanco stated.
Growth in Key Indicators
According to Blanco, although only 17,000 jobs were created in the first half of 2025, Jalisco aims to meet its target of generating 45,000 new jobs by the end of the year, as established by the business sector.
“We are coordinating with municipalities to identify challenges and maximize resources, making us more effective in attracting businesses. We are confident that by working together with municipalities and focusing on specific areas, we can achieve this goal,” she emphasized.
“We have strong indicators; for instance, Jalisco ranks third in job creation nationally, which is a source of pride,” Blanco added.
FDI Attraction Strategy
In terms of FDI, Jalisco aims to reach $1.5 billion, similar to the foreign capital that arrived in 2018 and 2019.
“We will soon announce an aggressive strategy for 2030, a strategic plan for the next five years. We are on track. Making trips like the recent one to Taiwan, being present, and promoting Jalisco are crucial steps in filling our investment pipeline,” Blanco highlighted.
“While negotiations for the trade agreement with the United States and Canada are ongoing, focusing on globally relevant sectors where Jalisco has a strength and added value, compared to other states nationally, differentiates us. This focus is yielding positive results and confirms our direction,” she concluded.
Export Growth
Regarding exports, according to the recent Inegi indicator, Jalisco led Mexico’s non-border states in the first quarter of 2025, exporting $8.457 billion between January and March.
“Jalisco’s growth surpassed the national growth rate of 3%, with a 24% increase. The manufacturing electronics sector, one of Jalisco’s strategic sectors, significantly contributes to export growth,” Blanco explained.
Inegi data shows that Jalisco’s exports grew by 11% in 2024 compared to the previous year. SEDECO projects a similar growth by the end of 2025.
“Some companies began exporting or importing earlier due to tariff concerns, but the minimum growth is 11%. We will monitor industries’ behavior, especially concerning our largest market, the United States, to which Jalisco exports nearly 80% of its production,” Blanco pointed out.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the overall economic outlook for Jalisco in 2025? Despite a challenging national economic environment, Jalisco anticipates growth in employment, FDI, and exports during the second half of 2025.
- Which sectors is Jalisco focusing on for growth? The state has identified six strategic sectors: software, semiconductors, electronics, agroindustry, logistics, and health-pharma.
- What are Jalisco’s targets for job creation and FDI? Jalisco aims to create 45,000 new jobs and attract $1.5 billion in FDI by the end of 2025.
- How are Jalisco’s exports performing? In Q1 2025, Jalisco led Mexico’s non-border states in exports, growing 24% compared to the national growth rate of 3%. The electronics manufacturing sector significantly contributes to this export growth.
