North America: The most competitive region

Javier Cendejas, president of the Mexican Business Council for Foreign Trade, Investment, and Technology of the Northeast (COMCE Noreste), presided over the 19th edition of the International Foreign Trade Forum (FICEX), where he called for consolidating North America as the world’s most competitive region by strengthening foreign trade, logistics, and regional integration.

During his opening remarks, he noted that of Mexico’s total exports in 2025, valued at US$664 billion, 86% were destined for North America. He also emphasized that the northeastern states—Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, Tamaulipas, and Durango—accounted for 41% of total national exports.

Betsabe Rocha, Secretary of Economy for Nuevo Leon, noted that the state accounts for nearly 8% of the national GDP, 10% of exports, and 12% of the country’s investment, despite representing only 4% of the national population. She also highlighted that the state customs office rose from seventh to second place in revenue collection thanks to infrastructure investment.