The Bajío region of West North-Central Mexico — which includes parts of the states of Aguascalientes, Jalisco, Guanajuato, Querétaro, and San Luis Potosí — is known for its rich history in silver mining. Today, however, it’s making a name for itself as a growing manufacturing powerhouse.
This densely populated region saw 47% growth in manufacturing from 2013 through 2018, reports Mexico News Daily. In fact, the Bajío region was the country’s leading driver in manufacturing growth during that five-year period, and its industrial industry has surpassed the country’s economic growth. El Economista attributes this powerful increase to commercial alliances formed in late 2018 between Guanajuato, San Luis Potosí, Querétaro and Aguascalientes. But that’s simply the latest step of more than a decade of incentives and infrastructure development that have led the region to become a prime destination for foreign investors seeking to expand into Mexico.
The central lowlands region has grown as a manufacturing center in part due to a strengthened rail and highway system that has helped connect it to the United States as well as both Atlantic and Pacific ports. Geopolitical analyst Stratfor suggest that its location away from the border territories, where investors must balance access with security concerns, also is attractive. This area also hosts a large, educated population exceeding 19 million.
To continue the area’s growth, the governors of Guanajuato, San Luis Potosí, Querétaro and Aguascalientes agreed in November 2018 to create a new manufacturing region, the Central Bajío Corridor. This first of its kind region seeks to combine production and logistics capacities to attract domestic and foreign investment.
As a first step, the state governors are working with government resources and private organizations to develop infrastructure and link supply chains and logistics. Experts expect these initiatives will have added impacts on investment, social development education, security and employment in the broader region and further increase these states’ export output.
Óscar Vega Pérez, who leads the project as president of the Regional Development Association of Central Mexico, told El Economista that small and medium-sized businesses will be crucial to the success of this initiative. As a result, investors in the region can expect a welcoming business climate looking to support their operations with easy accessibility to local and global suppliers and markets.
When considering expanding into the Bajío region, employers have many factors to weigh, from incentives to workforce availability and supply chain access. To start, take a brief look at what you can expect from each of the states that form El Bajío.
With its temperate climate, rich culture and intriguing history, it’s no wonder that El Bajío is becoming a leisure destination. Add to that a talented workforce and strong manufacturing and distribution network, and it’s clear why this region is a place where people want to both live and work.