Optimistic Outlook for the Industrial Sector in Jalisco
Following a year of economic uncertainty, industrial leaders in Jalisco express optimism for 2026, projecting a period of sustained expansion and the creation of up to 60,000 new jobs. Antonio Lancaster Jones, coordinator of the Consejo de Cámaras Industriales de Jalisco (CCIJ), shared these expectations with El Economista.
Key Factors Driving Growth
- Strengthening private investment
- Recovery of business confidence
- Dynamic sectors, including food and tourism
Lancaster Jones highlighted the resurgence of business confidence and investment, as well as the positive impact of sectors like food and tourism, driven by the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Guadalajara being one of the three Mexican host cities.
Positive Economic Indicators
Jalisco’s economy has shown resilience amidst national contraction, with a growth rate of 1.6% compared to the national industry’s near 5% decline.
Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro pointed out positive indicators through the first half of 2025, including a 4.5% increase in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to $933 million, and a 435% rise in new investments compared to the same period in 2024.
Focus on Traditional Industries
The CCIJ prioritizes bolstering traditional industries such as footwear, textiles, clothing, fashion, and food to solidify worker development and broaden the state’s productive base.
This strategy aims to balance advancements in high-tech sectors with industries of significant social impact.
Social Responsibility and Fair Compensation
René Calderón Bujdud, a prominent Jalisco industrialist and recipient of the Medalla al Mérito Industrial, emphasized social responsibility and fair compensation for employees.
“We must avoid mass layoffs when economic clouds appear… I urge fellow business leaders to reflect that we cannot call ourselves socially responsible companies without fulfilling our labor, tax, professional, and environmental obligations,” Calderón Bujdud stated.
He urged the business sector to move away from catastrophic thinking that creates insecurity, toxicity, and damages organizations.
Commitment to Improved Labor Conditions
Lancaster Jones reiterated the industrial sector’s dedication to enhancing labor conditions and increasing wages.
