Guanajuato, one of the fastest growing industrial zones in the Bajío region, stands out as an entity committed to an integral and solid strategy for economic development. Currently the state enjoys investment from 23 countries.

According to Ramón Alfaro, Guanajuato's secretary of economic development, the city has had a long-term vision for the future of the state since the 1990s.

"One of the most important aspects is the partnership between the state government, the business sector and academia, which has led to a long-term strategic plan to make Guanajuato successful regarding the investment market. This approach has allowed continuity in public policies for economic development.

An investment of 5 billion dollars was planned at the beginning of the current administration; however, he pointed out that, to date, they are reaching over 3.5 billion dollars and have a project portfolio, so the forecast is to exceed the starting number by the end of 2023. "This sends out a message of trust from investors”, he said.

He pointed out that as an example they recently toured the United States, where Nestle and Donaldson's investment in the state was announced.

Competitive advantages of Guanajuato

Industrial developments, infrastructure, connectivity and the promotion of education are other important features that rank Guanajuato as an attractive investment destination.

Furthermore, the secretary emphasized the medium-sized cities network in the state -with more than 100,000 inhabitants-, among which the most important ones are León, Silao, Irapuato, Celaya and Salamanca. "This network has allowed to ensure that development in the state is as balanced as possible and that investors can choose from a variety of locations."

Also, the state of Guanajuato has an important diversification of economic activity, automotive-automotive parts, agrifood, construction, plastics, services, new technologies, general industry, pharmaceutical-cosmetics, metal-mechanical, chemical, household appliances, leather-shoes-supply, textile-clothing and information technology.

"Labor peace is one of the main reasons why investors decide to come to Guanajuato. We have over two decades without major labor conflicts. We maintain a cordial relationship aimed at benefiting both the workers and the companies," he said.

Human capital is key

Our commitment to quality education and the development of highly qualified human capital have also made Guanajuato an appealing destination for investors.

"We proudly have one of the most solid training and qualification programs in the country. Through the state training institute (IECA) we operate 28 campuses 100% oriented to the supply demand of the productive sector for over 10 years."

According to Alfaro, the campuses have all the equipment and methodologies to meet the requirements for talent development that companies need. "We have robots, numerical control equipment, instructors and partnerships with the companies in order to respond to human capital training and development."

He noted that there is also a state certification system with an important higher education subsystem, private and public universities (such as the National Polytechnic Institute and the National Autonomous University of Mexico campuses), a network of technological institutions, among others that have strengthened the business ecosystem.

"Competition is no longer at home but around the world. Therefore, we must be ready to work in alignment with education. Human capital is key. Any public policy on economic development must be reflected in individuals, better opportunities, income and a higher quality of life. That is our final goal," he said.

Currently, over 700 job profiles have been developed under the competency-based approach in the state's main strategic sectors.

Guanajuato is a manufacturing leader, and is ready to transition away from production to attract design, development and research center investments in order to provide different opportunities for young people.

He said that nowadays, electromobility, automation and digitalization are being discussed, and the focus will be on talent development with new profiles.

He referred that professionalization of young people is being fostered through dual education programs and training abroad. "We have been strengthening dual education for over 10 years and we will see better results in the coming years.

"Today, more Guanajuato around the world and more world in Guanajuato," he quoted.

INVESTMENT ATTRACTION

- 105 projects

- 39,403 direct jobs secured

- 4,549 million dollars

10 FUTURE JOB PROFILES

- Automation and robotics programmer.

- Financial analyst and data manager for customer experience.

- Software developer and digital strategist.

- Analyst and developer of mathematical models.

- Electronics and telecommunications specialist.

- Automation and operations specialist.

- Digital account manager.

- Prototyping and automation developer.

- Web developer.

- Manufacturing systems integrator based on industrial robotics.