Government Proposes Continuous Dialogue with Business Leaders to Realize T-MEC Potential for Mexico City
With the aim of reviewing the Mexico-United States-Canada (T-MEC) treaty in 2026, Mexico City is refining its strategy to become the leading investment and innovation hub in North America. During the Regional T-MEC Consultation, Chapter Mexico City, Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard emphasized the unique opportunity for the capital, stating that a “maximum effort in the shortest time” is required as it competes with other nations.
Pharmaceutical Sector Opportunity
During a forum with business leaders and public officials, Ebrard highlighted the untapped potential in the pharmaceutical sector. He noted that the United States imports $237 billion, while Mexico exports only $1.6 billion to the US, making it a massive sector comparable to the automotive industry.
Industry Perspective
Astrea Ocampo, General Director of Neolpharma, suggested that Mexico should integrate intelligently into a new regional value chain. For three decades, China and India have led the global health sector with aggressive state policies, creating a worldwide dependence on their active ingredients and finished products. Ocampo proposed establishing a North American cluster to contribute significantly to low-cost generics.
Over 80% of US medications come from China and Asia. Mexico City has the potential to capture a portion of this production, but it requires regulation and capital investment, according to the Secretary of Economic Development (Sedeco) for the capital.
Medical Tourism
Gina Diéz Barroso, President of Diarq Holding, pointed out that Mexico City has not fully exploited medical tourism. By combining the capital’s exceptional medical services with high technology, biotechnology, and ongoing developments in Mexico, the city can become a leading medical tourism destination.
Challenges for Local Companies
- Zero operational efficiency of the Federal Commission for Protection against Health Risks (Cofepris) acts as a regulatory barrier, contrasting with government support as a client.
- Disconnection from knowledge: Technology transfer from public universities to businesses is prohibited, hindering industry growth.
Cervantes suggested that an agreement between Economy and Health Secretaries is needed to allow companies to use public hospitals for research protocol development and technology validation for export to the US.
“If we genuinely want Mexico City to be a player, there must be means for Mexican technology and our achievements here to have the protocols and competitiveness found in other countries,” Cervantes emphasized. “Without technology, we will continue to be entirely dependent on foreign companies.”
Logistics and Knowledge Advantage
María de Lourdes Medina Ortega, President of the National Industry Transformation Chamber (Canacintra), highlighted that Mexico City’s primary assets are knowledge and logistics. The capital should leverage its logistical advantage within the T-MEC framework.
Continuous Dialogue
Mexico City’s Head of Government, Clara Brugada Molina, turned the meeting into a starting point for ongoing dialogue with business leaders to translate these efforts into an economic program that yields tangible results.
Brugada Molina acknowledged the interconnected economy and the need for economic alternatives, diversity, and a strong position within the T-MEC. She emphasized that Mexico City should continue to be an economic pole and engine with development potential.
