For an economy facing uncertainty due to the review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) , the manufacturing sector is emerging as one of the main drivers to sustain the country’s growth this year, according to experts.
During a discussion organized by Mundi (a fintech company specializing in financing and working capital solutions for exporting and importing companies in Mexico), representatives from the manufacturing , financial, and export industries agreed that manufacturing will continue to play a key role in the Mexican economy, particularly due to its contribution to exports and productive integration with North America.
Paulina Anciola, deputy director of Economic Studies at Banamex , pointed out that exports were the main factor that prevented a deeper economic downturn last year and considered that manufacturing will continue to be a relevant element for the country’s economic performance.
“The manufacturing sector will be key to growth, especially considering that exports are what’s saving us from GDP declines,” he said.
The specialist explained that, despite the contraction observed in some indicators during the first quarter of 2026, Banamex maintains an economic growth expectation of 1.3% for this year, supported by a gradual recovery of productive and export activity.
From the perspective of the automotive industry, Alberto Bustamante, president of the National Agency of Suppliers of the Automotive Sector (ANAPSA) , highlighted that the automotive sector represents the second most important pillar of the Mexican economy, contributing about 5% of the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 24% of the manufacturing GDP.
He added that strengthening regional supply chains and increasing domestic content will be key factors in maintaining Mexico’s competitiveness against other markets.
For his part, Israel Morales, national director of the Mexico-United States Relations and International Affairs Committee of the National Council of the Export Manufacturing Industry (Index) , described export manufacturing as a success story that has demonstrated the ability to adapt to economic crises, changes in global supply chains and periods of trade uncertainty.
He considered that regional integration will continue to be one of Mexico’s main assets , although he warned that it will be necessary to strengthen productivity, talent development and the participation of the private sector in the construction of industrial policies.
Similarly, Flor González, general director of the National Association of Paint and Ink Manufacturers (ANAFAPYT) , maintained that the country’s economic future will depend on strengthening national manufacturing , technological innovation, and the training of specialized talent.
“The future of the Mexican economy will not be built solely with more trade; it will be built with manufacturing and Mexican talent,” he said.
Participants agreed that manufacturing growth will require greater coordination between government and private sector to improve infrastructure, facilitate investment, strengthen domestic supply chains, and enhance the competitiveness of production chains established in Mexico.
The importance of manufacturing is also reflected in employment. According to ANAPSA, the automotive sector generates more than 1.2 million direct jobs and nearly five million indirect jobs , in addition to impacting 252 economic sectors related to the country’s productive activity.
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