Investments in Jalisco’s Industrial Developments Exceed Initial Projections
At the beginning of this year, the Association of Industrial Parks of the State of Jalisco (APIEJ) forecasted an investment of 300 million USD in the industrial sector. However, despite global economic uncertainty, investments have already reached 485 million USD.
Robust Ecosystem and Strategic Location
Bruno Martínez, president of APIEJ, attributes this success to Jalisco’s robust industrial ecosystem that has attracted companies for the past 40 years. The state boasts a diversity of over 22 industrial sectors, with 19 being export-oriented. Furthermore, its strategic location near the Manzanillo port and robust infrastructure, including the remodeled airport for both tourism and cargo, add to its appeal.
In terms of human capital, Jalisco is home to three world-class universities, 16 technological institutes, 50 vocational schools, and two technology universities. This extensive educational network produces approximately 250,000 graduates annually.
APIEJ’s Growth and Construction Projects
During the Second Annual APIEJ Congress, “Jalisco’s Industrial Parks: The Oasis for Nearshoring Investments,” Martínez Zurita announced that the association currently affiliates 132 industrial parks, totaling over seven million square meters of usable area.
In recent years, these parks have absorbed more than 500,000 square meters, and this year alone, nearly 700,000 square meters are under construction. Forty percent of these projects are already pre-leased, demonstrating the association’s commitment to attracting more businesses to Jalisco.
Jalisco Aiming to Become Latin America’s California
Speaking to industrial park developers and investors, both national and international, Governor Pablo Lemus declared that Jalisco will become Latin America’s California, offering investment certainty and establishing itself as a strategic location for economic and technological development in Mexico.
“We are called the Silicon Valley of Mexico, but we aim higher—we will become Latin America’s next California,” Lemus stated.
While Mexico saw a 0.7% growth in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the first quarter of the year, Jalisco experienced over 2% growth. “We are growing at four times the rate of our country’s FDI,” Lemus emphasized, urging investors to look towards Jalisco.
Development Beyond the Metropolitan Area
Governor Lemus encouraged developers to capitalize on the competitive advantages offered by Jalisco’s regions outside the metropolitan area, such as the Ciénega and Lagos de Moreno regions.
These areas, located in Ocotlán, Jamay, La Barca, and Poncitlán, provide benefits like lower land values and strategic logistical positions. They are connected via roads such as Guadalajara-Chapala, which leads to the international airport in Guadalajara and onward to Mexico City.
Energy and Regulatory Improvement
Alberto Uribe, coordinator of the Corredor del Bienestar Pacífico comprising Jalisco, Michoacán, Colima, and Nayarit states, highlighted the importance of ensuring energy supply and reducing bureaucracy to attract investments in the region.
“We are very aware of this need at the federal government level; President Sheinbaum has instructed us to reengineer bureaucracy, reducing the 7,500 permits to just 2,500,” Uribe explained.
Key Questions and Answers
- What was the initial investment forecast for Jalisco’s industrial sector? The Association of Industrial Parks of the State of Jalisco (APIEJ) initially forecasted 300 million USD in investments.
- Why has Jalisco surpassed its investment forecast? The state’s robust industrial ecosystem, strategic location, and abundant human capital have contributed to exceeding the initial investment projection.
- What does Governor Lemus aim for Jalisco to become? Governor Lemus envisions Jalisco as Latin America’s California, offering investment certainty and strategic development opportunities.
- What competitive advantages do Jalisco’s regions outside the metropolitan area offer? These regions provide lower land values and strategic logistical positions, connecting via major roads leading to international airports.
- What steps are being taken to attract investments in the Pacific region? Ensuring energy supply and reducing bureaucracy through permit reduction are key initiatives to attract investments in the Corredor del Bienestar Pacífico region.
