Tamaulipas and South Texas: A Binational Platform for Global Investment

Strategically located along North America’s most dynamic border, Tamaulipas and South Texas have consolidated as a key region for attracting industrial investment, international trade, and long-term economic development.

Tamaulipas: A Leader in Foreign Trade and Industry

With an area of more than 80,000 km² and a population of nearly 3.6 million, Tamaulipas stands out as one of Mexico’s most relevant states in foreign trade. Its privileged location — with 18 border crossings into the United States and direct access to the Gulf of Mexico — allows one-third of Mexico’s total foreign trade to pass through its territory.

This connectivity is reinforced by more than 13,000 kilometers of highways, 936 km of railways, three deep-water ports (Altamira, Tampico, and Matamoros), and specialized infrastructure for global logistics. Nine of its international crossings are authorized for commercial use, including seven for vehicles and two for rail, making it the only border state with these characteristics.

According to the State Ministry of Economy, Tamaulipas ranks first nationally in the chemical industry, second in machinery and equipment manufacturing, third in power generation equipment production, and fourth in electronic components. In 2024, it attracted USD 463 million in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and recorded exports of USD 196 million in November, led by the auto parts sector. Additionally, it holds the fifth position nationally in exports, supported by a skilled workforce of 1.72 million people.

South Texas and Binational Industrial Parks

Located north of the Rio Grande, Texas has consolidated as a global economic leader. For over two decades, it has been the top exporting state in the United States, with an economy valued at USD 2.4 trillion — which, if Texas were a country, would rank as the eighth-largest in the world. Since 2015, the state has welcomed nearly 300 corporate headquarters, drawn by its skilled workforce, robust infrastructure, and high quality of life.

Both Tamaulipas and South Texas host an extensive network of industrial parks that strengthen nearshoring and integration into global value chains. Tamaulipas has 43 parks, concentrated in Reynosa (13), Nuevo Laredo (10), and Matamoros (10). In South Texas, 109 industrial parks operate, distributed across Laredo (54), Pharr (15), and Brownsville (11), strategically located near logistics corridors and international bridges.

These developments foster advanced manufacturing, reduce operational costs and times, and promote innovation and sustainability — consolidating a forward-looking binational business platform.