Smart Regionalization: Index Nacional’s Strategic Vision to Strengthen Mexico’s Export Manufacturing Sector

Index Nacional promotes smart regionalization and a five-pillar strategy to boost competitiveness, innovation, and sustainability in Mexico’s IMMEX sector.

In April 2025, Jael Durán was appointed Director General of Index Nacional, the National Council of the Maquiladora and Export Manufacturing Industry, at a pivotal moment for the sector’s evolution. Under her leadership, the organization is working to strengthen its role as a strategic partner for competitiveness through a proactive agenda grounded in data analysis, sectoral intelligence, and international cooperation.

“Export manufacturing is essential to Mexico’s economy. We must highlight its impact and drive strategic solutions that support its continued growth,” Durán emphasizes.

The IMMEX sector (Manufacturing, Maquiladora, and Export Services Industry) is responsible for 61% of national exports and supports over 3.2 million jobs, making it a cornerstone of Mexico’s global value chain integration—and a sector in need of smart transformation.

Five Strategic Pillars to Reinforce the IMMEX Model

Durán has outlined a five-pillar approach to enhance competitiveness across the IMMEX ecosystem:

• Legal Certainty: Promote a stable and efficient regulatory environment.
• Operational Agility: Improve customs, tax, and logistics processes.
• Human Capital: Specialized training to strengthen the workforce.
• Technological Innovation: Embrace digitalization and emerging technologies.
• Sustainability: Advance responsible and future-ready manufacturing.

“The challenge is ensuring that every IMMEX company has access to tools that drive growth while building a more efficient and sustainable industry,” Durán notes.

Smart Regionalization: A Decentralized, Tailored Strategy

The IMMEX model remains concentrated in northern Mexico, with Baja California, Chihuahua, Nuevo León, and Coahuila home to the highest number of IMMEX facilities. However, states like Guanajuato, Jalisco, and Querétaro are gaining ground, thanks to diversified industrial capabilities and growing integration into export supply chains.

With 18 local associations and an office in Washington, D.C., Index Nacional is promoting smart regionalization—a decentralized approach that aligns industrial strategies with each region’s unique strengths. This strategy involves strengthening regional councils, launching shared development projects, and coordinating technical agendas in areas such as logistics, talent development, and supplier integration.

Among the sector’s biggest challenges, Durán points to the need for stable operating conditions amid global volatility and the imperative to drive sustainable technological reconfiguration, including AI integration in manufacturing processes. At the same time, the USMCA represents a historic opportunity to position Mexico as North America’s industrial hub, leveraging its skilled workforce and proximity to the U.S. market.

Key National Forums for Industrial Dialogue

To achieve these goals, cross-sector collaboration is essential. Two flagship events will serve as platforms for advancing the agenda:

• The Summer Meeting, July 16–19 in Puerto Vallarta, focused on customs law reform.
• The National Index Convention, October 15–18 in Mexico City, celebrating its 50th edition.