Introduction to Plan México and its Development Poles
During her first Governance Report, President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo directly addressed the business sector, inviting them to join Plan México. This initiative aims to “produce more for domestic consumption, replace imports, strengthen and diversify foreign trade, and encourage both national and foreign investment in regional development.”
Plan México’s Strategy: Development Poles and Industrial Corridors
As part of Plan México, Development Poles for Well-being (Podebis) were established. These zones offer investment incentives and are strategically located to attract investment. Currently, five of the initial 15 Development Poles and eight of the Corridor Interoceánico are operational, along with 18 of the 100 newly announced industrial parks.
Government’s Role in Fostering Investment
“The state is developing infrastructure, securing strategic areas, and promoting private investment that ensures fair-wage jobs,” Sheinbaum stated. “Mexico needs even more active and visionary entrepreneurs deeply committed to the nation’s future.”
She emphasized collaboration with states to implement strategic projects, including agreements with over half of the federal entities for a unique model of simplifying and digitalizing the Public Property Registry and census processes to reduce corruption and streamline procedures.
Investments in Water and Sanitation Infrastructure
The government has invested 58,000 million pesos in water and sanitation projects, coordinating with state and municipal governments. Notable projects include prioritizing 10 municipalities in the State of Mexico, with high urban poverty, and Baja California, Baja California Sur, Campeche, Colima, Durango, Guanajuato, Oaxaca, San Luis Potosí, Sonora, Veracruz, and Zacatecas.
“For the first time in history, we are implementing an ambitious agricultural irrigation technification program in 18 districts located in Guanajuato, Chihuahua, Baja California, Hidalgo, Sinaloa, Coahuila, Durango, Tamaulipas, Morelos, Aguascalientes, Michoacán, Sonora, and soon in Zacatecas,” Sheinbaum announced.
Logistic Infrastructure Development
Plan México aims to develop logistic, energy, water, and transportation infrastructure to facilitate industrial settlement in corridors and industrial parks. This approach leverages each region’s productive capabilities and economic vocations.
The plan involves 14 states housing the first approved Development Poles in Campeche, Chihuahua, Durango, State of Mexico, Guanajuato, Hidalgo, Michoacán, Puebla, Quintana Roo, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, Tlaxcala, Veracruz, and Sonora.
Key Investments in Ports and Railways
This year, 18,000 million pesos are being invested in 12 projects across the ports of Guaymas, Manzanillo, Lázaro Cárdenas, and Acapulco; the Corridor Interoceánico ports like Salina Cruz, Puerto Chiapas, Coatzacoalcos, and Dos Bocas; and the Gulf of Mexico’s Progreso, Seybaplaya, Veracruz, Altamira, and Matamoros.
Sheinbaum mentioned the commencement of Tren Maya freight construction, progress in Oaxaca, Chiapas, and Tabasco sections of the Interoceánico train, as well as the construction of Mexico City-Pachuca and Mexico City-Querétaro trains. The licitation of Saltillo-Nuevo Laredo and Querétaro-Irapuato sections is also underway.
The total investment in trains by 2025 amounts to 180,000 million pesos.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is Plan México? Plan México is an initiative by President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo aiming to boost domestic production, replace imports, strengthen foreign trade, and encourage investment in regional development.
- What are Development Poles for Well-being (Podebis)? Podebis are strategically located zones established under Plan México, offering investment incentives to attract businesses and industries.
- Which states are part of Plan México? Fourteen states—Campeche, Chihuahua, Durango, State of Mexico, Guanajuato, Hidalgo, Michoacán, Puebla, Quintana Roo, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, Tlaxcala, Veracruz, and Sonora—host the first approved Development Poles.
- What infrastructure projects are being developed under Plan México? Plan México focuses on logistic, energy, water, and transportation infrastructure development to facilitate industrial growth in corridors and parks.
- What key investments are being made in ports and railways? Significant investments are being made in 12 port projects across Mexico and the construction of freight and passenger trains, including Tren Maya and sections of the Interoceánico train.
