Sectors with the Highest Potential to Attract Investment in Mexico: CCE President

, including talent, infrastructure, communications, business culture, and proximity to the U.S. market. However, energy availability could become the deciding factor in whether a multinational company establishes a plant in Mexican territory or chooses another nation.

Energy: The Factor That Could Define Investment in Mexico

The business leader explained that in recent years, some electricity generation projects remained unanswered for extended periods. Now, he assured, there is greater speed in resolving permits. As an example, he recounted the case of an automotive company that sought to generate solar energy as part of its expansion. “Their permit had been submitted for 18 months; the Ministry of Energy resolved it in two weeks,” he explained. He also mentioned the case of a company in Jalisco that had completed a cogeneration plant and had been waiting for the corresponding permit for a year. “The permit was issued in one week,” he noted. From the CCE’s perspective, these cases demonstrate a change in the authorization management process and could pave the way for new industrial projects. However, the challenge remains considerable. Electricity availability must not only meet current needs but also anticipate the demand of energy-intensive industries seeking to establish themselves in Mexico. The case of semiconductors is particularly illustrative. Medina Mora revealed that Mexico lost an investment from a Taiwanese company precisely due to expected energy consumption. “What they calculated they would need in terms of energy over the next 30 years, they didn’t see Mexico being able to provide,” he stated. The company ultimately took the project to Thailand. This episode serves as a warning for Mexico, as nearshoring is not solely won by proximity to the United States; it also requires sufficient infrastructure to sustain industrial operations for decades.

Semiconductors and Artificial Intelligence in Focus

Among the sectors Medina Mora considers to have the greatest potential are semiconductors, information technologies, and data centers linked to artificial intelligence. But again, the energy factor emerges. The CCE President recounted that Mexico also lost a significant investment related to server farms for artificial intelligence to Brazil. The decision, he explained, was linked to energy availability. “Brazil does not have an investment grade, Mexico does. Brazil does not have an investment grade, but it does have energy,” he noted. Consequently, having an investment grade, strategic location, and talent is not enough if the energy infrastructure cannot support the scale of projects. This makes accelerating electricity generation, and especially expanding capacity to serve new technological industries, a priority. Mexico could compete for investments related to data centers, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and semiconductors, but it will need to demonstrate that it can guarantee a reliable, long-term energy supply.

Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Among the Bets

The second major block of opportunities is related to the pharmaceutical industry and medical instruments. Medina Mora believes Mexico is well-positioned to attract new investments in these sectors, particularly in a global context where companies are seeking to bring their supply chains closer to major markets. One of the relevant changes involves streamlining procedures with the Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks (Cofepris). The business leader pointed out that, following changes announced by the government, certain processes should receive a response within 30 days. “A company told me they requested a protocol, and it was resolved in 21 days,” he stated. Reduced timelines can become a competitive advantage, especially for industries where regulatory approval is part of a project’s launch or expansion schedule. The challenge will be to reduce the accumulated backlog and maintain the pace for new applications. The same logic applies to other business permits. According to Medina Mora, an investment does not solely depend on fiscal incentives or geographic location. It also depends on how long it takes a company to obtain the necessary authorizations to begin operations.

Automotive and Auto Parts Maintain Potential

The automotive industry and the auto parts sector remain on the CCE’s radar. Mexico has extensive manufacturing experience, developed supply chains, and a strategic position relative to the U.S. market. The T-MEC (USMCA) adds an additional element with regional integration. Therefore, Medina Mora believes the automotive sector will continue to offer opportunities, although it will be necessary to resolve tariff distortions that currently affect certain products. The international scenario is also leading European companies to look towards Mexico. The business leader reported that representatives from Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Denmark have shown interest in investing in the country. The primary reason is access to the North American market. “By being in Mexico, they can access the North American market, and that is very attractive to them,” he explained. The opportunity, therefore, is not limited to U.S. companies. Mexico can become a production platform for European and Asian companies looking to enter or expand their presence in the United States.

Why Do Foreign Companies Continue to Look at Mexico?

Medina Mora also shared that a group of German companies told him Mexico is the best country to invest in Latin America. When asked for the reasons, they identified five advantages:

• Mexican talent.
• Infrastructure.
• Communications.
• Business culture.
• Proximity to the world’s largest market. This combination places Mexico in a privileged position compared to other Latin American economies. However, the CCE’s own assessment reveals that these advantages must be accompanied by legal certainty, security, energy, and water. If a company lacks certainty regarding the protection of its investments, faces security problems, or cannot guarantee water and electricity for its operations, proximity to the United States ceases to be sufficient.

Domestic Investment Must Also Take Off

While international interest represents an opportunity, Medina Mora believes Mexico’s main challenge lies in activating domestic investment. According to data shared by the interviewee, foreign direct investment reached approximately $36 billion in 2024 and $41 billion in 2025. However, Mexican investment is significantly larger. “National investment is 10 times larger than foreign investment,” he stated. Therefore, the economic strategy cannot be limited to attracting multinationals. Mexico needs its own companies to invest, expand operations, and develop new production capabilities. In this regard, regulatory simplification can play a relevant role. Medina Mora highlighted that the federal government has begun to address various hurdles identified by the business sector. These include duplication of foreign trade procedures, prolonged response times, and certain processes with the SAT (Tax Administration Service). On May 4th, he recalled, measures were announced to simplify processes, including a single window for foreign trade and automatic response mechanisms for certain investment projects. The business leader believes these types of measures are beginning to be reflected in economic activity. The goal is to translate reduced bureaucracy into new investments.

The Great Challenge: Bringing Growth to Small Businesses

The investment opportunity in Mexico must also translate into greater participation from micro and small businesses. Medina Mora pointed out that 99% of the country’s economic units are micro or small businesses, representing around 70% of employment. However, while some medium and large companies are experiencing significant growth, many small businesses remain in “survival mode.” For the CCE, the solution involves providing them with financing, training, and technology, but also incorporating them into the supply chains of large corporations. The arrival of a large company can create a multiplier effect if it finds local suppliers capable of meeting standards of quality, volume, technology, and delivery times. Therefore, nearshoring should not be measured solely by the number of plants arriving in Mexico. It should also be measured by how many Mexican companies manage to become suppliers. Medina Mora is optimistic about the country’s economic future. He expects Mexico to move towards growth exceeding 1% during 2026 and approach 2% in 2027. Mexico has the market, talent, and location to compete for high-value investments.

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