Key Players and Their Concerns
Despite Jalisco’s strong and consolidated high-tech ecosystem, its logistical infrastructure is “collapsing,” warns Jaime Reyes, Director of Operations at Foxconn Guadalajara’s supply chain. If long-term solutions aren’t invested in, the state’s strategic advantages could turn into disadvantages.
Jaime Reyes’ Warning
Reyes emphasized, “We’re slowing down and becoming lazy with this infrastructure. If we don’t invest and take care of it, this will quickly become a disadvantage.” He highlighted Jalisco’s current strengths: a consolidated ecosystem and the coordinated efforts of the quadruple helix (government, education, private sector, and civil society).
Abandoned Cargo at Guadalajara Airport
Antonio Lancaster Jones, Coordinator of the CCIJ (Council of Industrial Chambers of Jalisco), reported that abandoned Chinese cargo still occupies more than 55% of the terminal at Guadalajara airport, rendering it inoperable.
“We’ve made progress in clearing customs areas in Manzanillo and Guadalajara airport, but 55% of the terminal’s space remains unoccupied due to abandoned cargo,” Lancaster Jones explained. He urged the Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (GAP) to licitate the expansion of their facilities.
Manzanillo: A Growth Engine
Mauro Garza Marín, Coordinator General of Economic Growth and Development in Jalisco, mentioned that abandoned cargo was discussed in a recent meeting between Governor Pablo Lemus and federal Secretary of Finance, Edgar Amador Zamora.
Garza highlighted Manzanillo’s pivotal role as the third-most important port in Latin America, moving 4 million containers annually. However, the federal government’s proposed investment of over 65,000 million pesos in the next five years aims to increase this capacity to 10 million containers.
Losses Due to Customs Delays
Despite these investments, organizations like the COMCE (Mexican Council of Foreign Trade) and INDEX (Association of Export Manufacturing and Assembly Industry) have reported significant losses for businesses due to delays and blockages at Manzanillo’s customs.
CIAT 30
During the 30th International Congress of High Technology (CIAT), organized by CANIETI Occidente, Roger Eleutheri, its president, acknowledged the congress’s contributions to strengthening Jalisco’s high-tech ecosystem and quadruple helix.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the concern regarding Jalisco’s infrastructure? The logistical infrastructure, including Manzanillo port, Guadalajara airport cargo terminal, and metropolitan roads, is collapsing under the weight of growth.
- What are the specific issues at Guadalajara airport? More than 55% of the cargo terminal is occupied by abandoned Chinese goods, rendering it inoperable.
- What is the role of Manzanillo port? It’s the third-most important port in Latin America, moving 4 million containers annually.
- What are the reported losses for businesses? Companies have suffered significant losses due to delays and blockages at Manzanillo’s customs.
- What is the significance of CIAT 30? The congress has played a crucial role in strengthening Jalisco’s high-tech ecosystem and quadruple helix over its 30 editions.
