In a period of six months, Nissan completed one of the most important industrial transformation projects of its operation in Mexico: the consolidation of its manufacturing activities in Aguascalientes , which involved moving more than two thousand pieces of equipment from Argentina, reorganizing its supply network and adapting the logistics and production infrastructure.

At the conference “Driving Mexico with clarity, speed and local excellence”, within the framework of Automotive Logistics & Supply Chain , Dayan León, deputy director of Spare Parts Logistics at Nissan Mexico, highlighted that the operation represented a challenge that initially seemed impossible to execute in the available time.

However, the coordination of more than five thousand people allowed simultaneous progress in the transfer of machinery, the construction of facilities and the preparation of production lines.

One of the main challenges was mobilizing the industrial assets from Argentina in just 53 days. To achieve this, Nissan organized the shipment of more than 500 containers and developed special packaging schemes to protect the equipment and facilitate its subsequent installation in Mexico.

The logistics operation accumulated around 6.4 million kilometers of travel, from the first shipment to the arrival of the last piece of equipment at the plant.

The project also included the transfer of equipment from CIVAC , Morelos, following the scheduled closure and as part of the strategy to concentrate vehicle production at the Aguascalientes complex.

A more integrated supply chain

The transformation wasn’t limited to moving machinery. Nissan had to rethink its supply chain , from supplier integration to vehicle distribution and the supply of materials to the production lines.

In this process, around 190 suppliers from Mexico, the United States, Asia, and Europe were integrated, with the goal of building a more flexible and resilient network, Dayan León emphasized.

Modifications were also made to the facilities to streamline the movement of materials. These included the addition of 13 new loading docks and four additional suppliers within the plant—an integration that, according to the specialist, typically takes around a year but was completed in six months.

Spaces were also set up to maintain backup inventories and respond to possible supply disruptions .

The infrastructure upgrade covered more than 120,000 square meters, in addition to the reorganization of internal material flows and production areas, with a vision for growth and scalability in the coming years.

Another significant change was the way the project was executed. The Japanese company modified its decision-making processes, delegated responsibilities, and strengthened trust between work teams and suppliers.

The strategy allowed activities that are normally carried out consecutively to be carried out in parallel, while the production operation continued to work at its maximum capacity.

The executive highlighted that the project was primarily the result of Mexican engineering and talent , with the collaboration of international teams and supplier companies that participated in the various stages of the transformation.

The consolidation of operations in Aguascalientes is part of Nissan’s global strategy to improve its production efficiency, optimize resources and strengthen its competitiveness.

For the company, the challenge now is to leverage the infrastructure and the new configuration of its supply chain to respond to future market needs and maintain Mexico as a strategic platform within its global manufacturing network.

The executive concluded that the commitment goes beyond an industrial reorganization: it seeks to build long-term relationships and promote an operation capable of contributing to the development of the Mexican automotive industry in the coming years.

According to the Administrative Registry of the Automotive Industry of Light Vehicles (RAIAVL) , published by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi) , Nissan manufactured 433,610 units during the period January-October 2026, which meant a drop of 24.3% compared to the same cycle of 2025, when it manufactured 572,928 units.

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El cargo This was Nissan’s logistical deployment to concentrate its manufacturing in Aguascalientes apareció primero en T21.

Competition in e-commerce is no longer solely about price or product variety. The ability to deliver a purchase to the consumer’s doorstep in the shortest possible time, even during peak demand, has become a key differentiator for digital platforms.

In this sense, El Buen Fin represents one of the biggest operational challenges for e-commerce, and behind every purchase made during the discount days there is a chain of storage, order preparation, transportation and distribution that must respond to a considerable increase in demand.

To face this season, which will take place from November 13 to 17 , Mercado Libre is betting on automation, expanding its infrastructure and using technology to strengthen its delivery capacity in Mexico.

One of the main innovations in its strategy is the launch of its first fulfillment center with robotic technology in Hidalgo, which began operations with 240 autonomous robots and projects to reach one thousand units during 2027.

Omar Ramírez, senior director of Logistics at Mercado Libre in Mexico, explained that these machines facilitate storage and order preparation tasks by moving shelves with loads of up to 800 kilograms.

“These robots can carry up to 800 kilos on each shelf where we have the products stored and simplify the tasks that our representatives perform every day,” he said.

The facility is part of a logistics complex comprised of three distribution centers totaling approximately 290,000 square meters. With the gradual addition of robots, Mercado Libre aims to increase its monthly processing capacity in Hidalgo from 6.8 to 15 million packages .

“We are very happy to be able to share this new launch with you. We just inaugurated it two weeks ago, so we are going in with full capacity and a very robust setup to tackle Buen Fin with everything we’ve got,” commented Ramírez.

More infrastructure to absorb demand

Automation is part of the strategy, but the ability to respond to El Buen Fin also depends on the territorial distribution of its facilities and the means of transport available.

Mercado Libre currently has 140 logistics hubs in Mexico , including fulfillment centers, last-mile delivery facilities, and cross-docking centers. This infrastructure is complemented by an air network of six fixed-service aircraft, which can be expanded to eight during peak demand periods.

The company also has more than a thousand electric vehicles in circulation in different cities across the country, supported by technological systems that allow for optimizing routes, estimating demand, and improving the use of each unit.

This infrastructure has allowed us to expand same-day delivery coverage to 37 cities, representing a coverage of over 40%, according to the executive.

“You can buy today until two or three in the afternoon, depending on the location, and receive your product the same day,” he explained.

The air network also allows for connecting cities far from major distribution centers. Planes operate daily flights from Querétaro, where the movement of packages is concentrated for transport to different destinations throughout the country.

During peak trading days, the ability to increase the air fleet will be one of the resources to respond to the additional volume of orders and maintain delivery times.

The logistical preparations for El Buen Fin also include a greater diversity of merchandise. Mercado Libre has expanded its operations to incorporate heavy and bulky products, which require different storage, handling, and distribution conditions.

Ramírez explained that some of these items have dedicated facilities to facilitate their handling. Products stored in fulfillment centers have average delivery times of two days, while those collected directly from vendors and transported through cross-docking centers can take between three and four days, depending on the destination.

This capability becomes relevant during peak shopping seasons, when the increase in orders is not necessarily concentrated in small packages, but also involves household categories and other larger items.

With an announced investment of $4.6 billion for Mexico this year, Mercado Libre seeks to strengthen the various parts of its ecosystem to serve a season in which delivery speed, product availability, and payment options will be crucial.

Thus, beyond the discounts, El Buen Fin will test the ability of e-commerce platforms to convert millions of digital purchases into concrete, timely, and efficient deliveries.

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El cargo Robots, airplanes and electric vehicles: Mercado Libre’s bet for El Buen Fin apareció primero en T21.

The Buen Fin (Mexico’s Black Friday equivalent) and the December holiday season will put supply chains in Mexico to the test , in a context of increased imports, tariff changes, and new regulatory requirements; therefore, the Mexican Association of Freight Forwarders (Amacarga) stressed that advance planning and logistical coordination are key to guaranteeing the efficient flow of goods and avoiding delays during the end of the year.

“The end-of-year season demonstrates that behind every product available to consumers lies an international logistics chain that requires specialized knowledge, coordination, and responsiveness. The competitiveness of Mexican commerce also depends on having efficient, secure, and properly planned logistics operations,” he stated.

The agency highlighted that, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi) , Mexican imports totaled 617 billion 940 million dollars between January and September 2026, representing a growth of 27.5% compared to the same period in 2025.

This trend is also reflected in port activity, as Mexican ports handled 7.29 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) during the first nine months of the year , a 2.4 percent year-on-year increase. Pacific ports stood out, accounting for 77% of national traffic, with Manzanillo and Lázaro Cárdenas serving as strategic hubs for international trade.

For its part, the Confederation of National Chambers of Commerce, Services and Tourism (Concanaco Servytur) estimated that El Buen Fin 2026, which will take place from November 13 to 17 , will generate an economic impact of 235 billion pesos, 7.3% higher than that recorded in 2025.

Among the categories of greatest interest to consumers, with an increase compared to 2025, fashion stands out at 38%, electronics at 30%, beauty and personal care at 27%, home appliances at 24% and cell phones at 21%, which coincides 100% with what is being shipped mainly in Manzanillo, Lázaro Cárdenas and at the Mexico City International Airport (AICM) .

Added to this demand are toys and seasonal items, whose commercial activity intensifies during December and the celebration of Three Kings Day; toys and kidults (LEGO, Mattel, Hasbro collectibles) account for between 65 and 70% of annual sales, now with a tariff of 25 to 35%, if they come without a free trade agreement .

“This scenario unfolds against a backdrop of changes to Mexican tariff policy, which require importers to pay closer attention to the classification of their goods, the country of origin, and applicable trade preferences. Added to this is compliance with Mexican Official Standards and regulations that, depending on the product type, establish safety, labeling, and commercial information requirements, the anticipation of which is essential to avoid delays and additional costs in operations,” he emphasized.

In response, Amacarga explained that international freight forwarders play a strategic role by coordinating different modes of transport, managing space, tracking shipments, and facilitating communication between participants in the logistics chain.

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El cargo Logistics planning and coordination are key for El Buen Fin and the Christmas season: Amacarga apareció primero en T21.

Insecurity and merchandise losses pose a challenge for retail in Mexico, where the use of technological tools is becoming increasingly important to prevent risks, strengthen inventory control, and improve operational efficiency, according to Aideé Olvera, Distribution Manager for Latin America at Axis Communications .

Olvera referred to the 2024 National Survey of Victimization of Businesses (ENVE) by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi) , where 31.5% of establishments in the commercial sector were victims of some crime during 2023. In that same year, the cost of insecurity and crime for the country’s economic units reached 124 billion 300 million pesos (mdp) .

These costs were in addition to 67.2 billion pesos allocated to preventive measures, reflecting the resources that companies must allocate to protect their operations.

In retail, this problem also involves strengthening control mechanisms over merchandise, identifying possible irregularities, and reducing losses that may occur within establishments.

Given this scenario, the integration of video surveillance systems with data analytics tools makes it possible to identify irregularities , monitor movements within establishments, and detect situations that may affect business operations.

“The real challenge for businesses lies not in accumulating hours of recording, but in connecting physical security with data analytics to anticipate operational risks, mitigate losses, and comprehensively optimize the customer experience in the store,” Olvera noted.

Beyond security

In addition to contributing to the prevention of theft and fraud , these technologies allow for the analysis of consumer flow, the identification of high-traffic areas, and the measurement of dwell times in certain areas, information that can be used to improve staff allocation and resource management.

They can also help detect long queues, congested spaces, or shelves that require restocking.

This data allows those in charge of the establishments to identify operational needs and make decisions about customer service and product availability, Olvera explained.

In this way, video surveillance ceases to be used exclusively as a security tool and can complement the monitoring and management mechanisms of businesses, by providing information to identify risks and improve their internal processes.

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El cargo Insecurity and losses drive the use of technology in retail apareció primero en T21.

Mexico must move forward in a coordinated manner in its trade relationship with the United States, diversify its markets, and strengthen its internal institutions to maintain its competitiveness in global supply chains, said Senator Luis Fernando Salazar , secretary of the Committee on International Organizations and the Committee on Foreign Relations, Asia-Pacific.

During his participation in the XXI Annual Convention of the Mexican Institute of Executives in Foreign Trade (IMECE) , Salazar presented a legislative agenda for Mexico’s competitiveness, based on what he called the “three clocks” that mark the country’s course: Washington, the rest of the world, and the national environment.

The first concerns the trade relationship with the United States and the review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) ; the second concerns trade diversification opportunities with Europe, the United Kingdom and Asia-Pacific; while the third comprises internal conditions related to customs, procedures, investment rules and legal certainty.

“The real challenge arises when these three clocks move at different paces. It’s no use having the world open its doors to us if, here inside, in our institutions, we don’t move at the same speed, or if our companies encounter obstacles in realizing or taking advantage of their opportunities,” he noted.

USMCA and trade diversification

Regarding the review of the USMCA, Salazar maintained that the trade agreement remains in force and that its tariff preferences and rules of origin remain in operation, although it now faces an annual review scheme that may extend until 2036.

Among the topics on the table, he mentioned automotive rules of origin, steel and aluminum, agriculture, labor issues, and the substitution of imports from Asia.

As a reference to the importance of the treaty, he indicated that more than eight out of every 10 Mexican exports to the United States enter without paying tariffs, by complying with the provisions of the agreement.

In this context, he stated that the Senate has three responsibilities: to monitor the negotiations led by the federal Executive, to harmonize national legislation with international commitments in a timely manner, and to maintain a dialogue with the companies that operate foreign trade on a daily basis.

“Today, the best defense for a Mexican exporter is not a speech, it’s a certificate of origin. And you build that compliance every day,” he said.

The legislator also emphasized the importance of expanding Mexico’s trade ties. In that regard, he referred to the modernization process of the global agreement with the European Union and the opportunities presented by the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) , which the United Kingdom has joined.

Customs, security and simplification of procedures

Regarding the national environment, Salazar identified three areas in which legislative work should contribute to improving competitiveness: administrative simplification, security, and customs operations.

Regarding the first point, he recalled the approval of legislation aimed at eliminating bureaucratic procedures and preventing authorities from requesting documents they themselves issue. However, he acknowledged that the effectiveness of these measures will have to be measured by their daily implementation and the actual reduction in service times.

In terms of security, he highlighted the approval of the General Law against Extortion , which standardizes the prosecution of this crime in the country and includes actions against extortion.

He also mentioned that, during the first nine months of the year, cargo theft decreased by about 21%, although he acknowledged that the figures still need to translate into better security conditions for operators and companies that travel on Mexican highways.

The senator cited Coahuila, the state he represents, as an example, noting that coordination between federal, state, and municipal governments has allowed progress in security matters, regardless of partisan differences.

Regarding customs, he indicated that the recent reform to the Customs Lawseeks to strengthen the tools of the authorities to combat practices such as undervaluation and smuggling, but acknowledged that its implementation has also generated operational challenges for foreign trade users.

Customs sector calls for rules with a good faith approach

During the question and answer session, representatives from the customs sector outlined some of the difficulties users face when applying the provisions and review procedures.

Fernando Ramos, former president of IMECE and president of the Latin American Confederation of Customs Agents (CLAA) , raised the need for Mexico to return to the international principles of trade facilitation and customs operations, particularly those related to the Revised Kyoto Convention .

The representative also asked to review the application of the principle of good faith, so that importers and customs agents who demonstrate a history of compliance are not treated under a generalized presumption of irregularity.

For his part, Sergio Barajas, former president of IMECE, called for strengthening the participation of the private sector in the USMCA review process, through spaces for dialogue between companies, legislators and authorities.

Meanwhile, Mario Osorio questioned the composition of the Customs Council, noting that it is made up of authorities from the Tax Administration Service (SAT) , the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP) , and the National Customs Agency of Mexico (ANAM) , without including representatives from chambers, associations, and foreign trade users.

He also explained the negative impacts of sampling procedures when goods are held in customs until laboratory results are received, a situation which, he said, causes additional costs for storage, transportation and delays .

“Many times we are treated, to put it colloquially, as criminals, under the principle that we act in bad faith,” he said.

Regarding sampling procedures, he acknowledged that keeping goods detained for several days can affect the continuity of production chains and eliminate the competitiveness margins of foreign trade operations.

Alternatively, it considered it necessary to move towards mechanisms that allow the identification of users’ compliance history and to distinguish operators who have proven their integrity, without implying the establishment of exceptions to the legislation.

“We need to create tailor-made solutions based on the users, based on the business owners who have proven their integrity, who are tested,” he said.

He also offered to promote meetings with the legislative committees on Economy and Foreign Relations to create spaces for dialogue with representatives of the sector and to follow up on their proposals.

He reiterated that Mexico’s competitiveness will depend on whether international trade commitments find suitable internal conditions for their implementation, with efficient institutions, clear rules, and security for logistics operations .

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El cargo THEY PROPOSE THREE FRONTS TO STRENGTHEN MEXICO’S LOGISTICS COMPETITIVENESS apareció primero en T21.

The Home Depot Mexico launched its Express Delivery service through alogistics collaboration with Uber Direct , with the goal of reducing order distribution times and strengthening its last-mile operations by leveraging its network of physical stores.

The new service allows same-day delivery for a catalog of more than 15,000 products, including tools, paints, locks, and gardening supplies, provided that orders are placed before 3:00 p.m. and meet the coverage and availability conditions .

The operation is carried out through Uber Direct, Uber’s last-mile logistics solution , which facilitates the collection and distribution of goods from participating stores to consumers’ homes; in addition, customers can receive real-time notifications about the status of their orders.

Logistics optimization

According to the company, this method also helps optimize its logistics operations by freeing up transport capacity for larger items, particularly during peak demand seasons .

“With Express Delivery, we are taking another step to bring thousands of solutions to your projects, combining the strength of our physical stores with the advantages of digital commerce,” said Salvador Muñoz, Vice President of Supply Chain at The Home Depot Mexico.

To access the service, consumers must be within a radius of up to 15 kilometers from a participating store and the items must comply with the weight and dimension restrictions established for this modality.

The launch takes place ahead of El Buen Fin 2026 , which will be held from November 13 to 17, a period during which the company seeks to meet the demand for products for home maintenance, repair and improvement by integrating its digital channels, physical stores and distribution capabilities.

The company operates 145 stores in the 32 states of the country and generates more than 18,000 direct jobs in Mexico.

El cargo THE HOME DEPOT STRENGTHENS ITS LAST MILE WITH UBER DIRECT apareció primero en T21.

In October 2026, prices for transportation, postal and storage activities in Mexico registered an increase of 3.59% on a monthly basis and 8.07% annually , according to the National Producer Price Index (INPP) of the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi) .

The performance of the tenth month of the year was above the inflation recorded in tertiary activities, which advanced 1.21% monthly and 5.24% annually .

According to the INPP, air cargo prices increased 2.05% month-on-month and 0.87% year-on-year during October 2026. The monthly increase reflects a rise in the cost of this service, although its year-on-year variation remains below the overall level for transportation, postal services, and warehousing. This segment is particularly relevant for high-value goods, time-sensitive products, and operations requiring rapid delivery.

Meanwhile, the airport usage fee saw a monthly increase of 0.29% and an annual increase of 2.49%. Although this increase was moderate compared to other components, it represents a cost associated with airport infrastructure that is part of the operation for companies that use these facilities to move goods.

The cost of air cargo loading and unloading services increased by 0.59% monthly and 5.95% annually. This indicator reflects the evolution of prices for cargo handling activities within terminals, a component that must be considered along with freight costs, particularly in operations requiring cargo reception, handling, and transfer services.

Rail freight transport, meanwhile, showed no monthly change, although it accumulated a year-on-year increase of 7.16 percent. Rail plays a significant role in the transport of raw materials, industrial products, fuels, and large-volume goods.

In maritime freight transport , prices increased 1.79% month-on-month and 4.74% year-on-year. This increase shows that maritime freight services also experienced upward pressure during October, in a segment crucial for Mexican foreign trade and the connection of international supply chains .

In the general freight trucking sector , prices increased by 0.30% monthly and 3.79% annually. This reflects the behavior of rates for this service, whose cost structure is linked to factors such as fuel, maintenance, tires, vehicle operation, and driver availability .

On the other hand, tolls for trucks and buses showed no monthly change in October, but experienced a year-on-year increase of 7.59 percent. For transportation companies, this component is part of the direct expenses associated with operating routes and logistics corridors.

Regarding customs brokerage and other freight forwarding services , prices increased by 2.14% month-on-month and 2.24% year-on-year. The monthly increase was one of the most pronounced among the services included in the indicator, reflecting a rise in the cost of management and brokerage activities associated with the movement of goods, especially in operations related to foreign trade .

The parcel and courier service increased by 0.59% compared to September 2016 and by 5.43% year-on-year. This performance reflects pressures in a segment related to merchandise distribution, e-commerce, and last-mile deliveries . The year-on-year increase shows that the costs of these services continue to rise.

Meanwhile, cargo storage showed an increase of 0.95% on a monthly basis and 3.17% on an annual basis.

October data shows that logistics inflation continues to exert differentiated pressures across the services that make up the supply chain. While some components, such as rail transport and tolls, registered no monthly changes, their year-on-year variations remained above 7 percent.

Comment and follow us on LinkedIn:  @Humberto Cruz Moya  / @GrupoT2

El cargo LOGISTICS SERVICE COSTS ACCELERATE IN OCTOBER apareció primero en T21.

The Mexican Institute of Executives in Foreign Trade (IMECE) awarded the Yacatecuhtli Prize to Fernando de Mateo , in recognition of his career of more than five decades in the field of international trade negotiations and his contribution to the integration of Mexico into the world economy.

The Yacatecuhtli Award is a recognition given to individuals whose career and contributions have contributed to the development, strengthening, and professionalization of Mexico’s foreign trade . Its name refers to the Mexica deity associated with merchants and trade voyages, thus symbolizing the importance of trade and those who drive Mexico’s activity in international markets.

In this regard, De Mateo’s participation in some of the main processes that marked the country’s trade opening was highlighted, including Mexico’s incorporation into the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) , the Uruguay Round negotiations and the construction of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) .

His performance as national coordinator of trade negotiations with the European Union and as a negotiator in agreements with various countries in Latin America and Europe was also recognized.

His career also includes 12 years as Mexico’s ambassador to the World Trade Organization (WTO) , during which time he chaired the General Council and participated in various bodies of this institution. He currently works as a professor and researcher at El Colegio de México , where he continues to contribute to the analysis of trade relations and the training of specialists.

Upon receiving the award, De Mateo expressed his gratitude for the distinction and noted that it represents a particularly significant recognition coming from a community that understands the effort and responsibility involved in foreign trade.

In his speech, he reflected on the transformation of the international economic environment and warned that trade is going through a stage marked by uncertainty, in which trade rules are losing stability in the face of geopolitical tensions and conflicts between countries.

He explained that the effects of this scenario are not limited to governments, but also reach businesses and families, by changing prices, increasing the cost of inputs, compromising supply chains , and altering investment decisions.

Added to this context is the technological transformation , particularly the development of artificial intelligence (AI) , which poses new challenges in terms of production, employment, and responsibility. In this scenario, he considered that Mexico has an opportunity to increase its participation in the value chains linked to these technologies.

However, he maintained that taking advantage of this opportunity requires generating greater national added value, developing Mexican suppliers, strengthening technological capabilities, and fostering better jobs. To achieve this, he identified access to competitive energy, infrastructure, talent, information, and clear regulations as necessary conditions.

USMCA and competitiveness, beyond the trade balance

Regarding trade policy, De Mateo questioned whether reducing Mexico’s trade surplus with the United States should become the main objective of the negotiations for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) .

The success of a trade agreement should be measured by its contribution to productivity, investment, employment and well-being, and not solely by bilateral trade balances, he argued.

He explained that the raw trade figures do not fully reflect the benefits of the exchange, because a portion of the value of Mexican exports incorporates inputs from the United States and other countries, which demonstrates the productive integration of North America.

He also warned that tariff and protectionist measures can create distortions and affect companies that produce in an integrated manner in the region, weakening the competitiveness of supply chains.

Given this scenario, he argued that Mexico should combine its international negotiation strategy with a review of the internal conditions that affect business activity, particularly legal certainty, transparency, and regulatory predictability.

Customs, a factor for competitiveness

Another topic discussed was the role of customs in national competitiveness. De Mateo pointed out that combating smuggling and tax evasion is essential , but he believes this task must be carried out through intelligence, technology, and effective law enforcement.

The priority of raising revenue should not displace the objectives of trade efficiency or the needs of domestic production, he warned.

In that regard, he stressed that a customs office must facilitate trade while still fulfilling its control functions, since unnecessary procedures can delay shipments, increase costs and affect an entire production chain, with consequences that can even translate into the loss of customers or investments.

Mexico must place international cooperation, transparency, and competitiveness at the center of its trade strategy in order to defend its interests with arguments and proposals, while strengthening internal conditions to take advantage of the opportunities of the global economy, he argued.

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El cargo Fernando de Mateo receives the Yacatecuhtli Award from IMECE for his contribution to Mexican foreign trade apareció primero en T21.

The Mexican Institute of Executives in Foreign Trade (IMECE) began a new institutional stage with the swearing-in of Christian Basurto as president for the period 2026-2028, who will lead a new Board of Directors with the objective of strengthening training, expanding the participation of its members and consolidating the link with companies and authorities of the sector.

During his inaugural address, Basurto stated that he assumes the responsibility of continuing the work of previous administrations, but also of promoting an evolution in the dynamics of IMECE , in the face of a foreign trade environment marked by greater regulatory demands, technological changes and new ways of doing business.

The new president acknowledged the work of Carlos Novoa, thanking him for delivering a united and solid institution, as well as for his support during his time as vice president.

In that regard, he recalled that IMECE was established on June 10, 1998 , and that, almost three decades after its founding, it has consolidated itself as a community of specialists that has brought together hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of participants in its events, courses, and continuing education activities.

“We have to improve it, we have to make it grow, we have to take it further,” he said.

Training and updating, among the priorities

Basurto highlighted that foreign trade is going through a particularly dynamic stage, in which stricter customs legislation, the annual review of the Treaty between Mexico, the United States and Canada (USMCA) , the digitization of customs and the use of tools such as artificial intelligence and risk analysis converge.

Added to this is the growth of e-commerce, which poses new challenges for regulation and foreign trade operations.

Given this scenario, he argued that IMECE must stop simply reacting to the situation and adopt a proactive stance, through knowledge generation, continuous training, and greater dialogue with companies, specialists, and authorities.

“We need to train ourselves, anticipate and generate knowledge, provoke conversations and maintain a close relationship with companies and specialists,” he said.

As part of this strategy, he announced changes to the format of IMECE’s monthly breakfast meetings. Starting in January, these meetings will be held regularly on the third Tuesday of each month, following an annual training agenda.

Each session will consist of three components: training on topics relevant to the profession, analysis of current issues in foreign trade, and networking spaces to strengthen collaboration between partners.

In addition, the new council will seek to strengthen the work of the committees, through cross-functional teams that allow for greater collaboration between the different areas of the organization.

Another key focus of the new administration will be to expand IMECE’s territorial presence through the development of regional chapters.

During the presentation of the management team, the continuation of the Bajío chapter project was announced, which will have Querétaro as its starting point, as well as the promotion of a chapter in Nuevo León.

Basurto also called on former presidents to maintain an active participation in IMECE and contribute their experience and knowledge, while urging members to get involved in activities, propose initiatives, and incorporate new members .

In particular, he highlighted the importance of opening up opportunities for young professionals in foreign trade, considering that generational renewal is fundamental to ensuring the continuity and evolution of the organization.

With this new administration, IMECE seeks to consolidate an institution with greater capacity for convening, training and linking, at a time when the transformation of trade and customs rules demands better prepared professionals and organizations capable of anticipating changes.

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El cargo Christian Basurto assumes the role of new president of IMECE for the period 2026-2028 apareció primero en T21.

During the third quarter of 2026 (3Q26), the confidence of transport and logistics business owners resumed its recovery trajectory, marking two consecutive quarters of growth. The Transport and Logistics Confidence Index (ICTYL) reached 105.4 points , representing an increase of 8.1 points compared to the previous quarter and its highest level since the third quarter of 2024.

After hitting a low of 75.1 points in the first quarter of 2026 (1Q26), the indicator advanced to 97.3 units in the second quarter (2Q26) and finally surpassed the 100-point barrier in the July-September period.

The ICTYL is the only confidence indicator in the transport and logistics industry, developed by T21 Business Intelligence  with the aim of monitoring the pace followed in this economic sector, for which more than 140 managers and entrepreneurs linked to the provision of logistics and transport services, as well as users of these means, are consulted.

The results of Q3 2026 were also reflected in business confidence , which measures participants’ optimism about the economic situation of the country and their companies. This component stood at 72.58 points , an increase of 20.95 points compared to Q2 2026, marking two consecutive periods of recovery after registering a negative balance (-5.70 points) in the first quarter of 2026.

Regarding business performance , 90.9% of business owners rated their companies’ performance as favorable during the July-September period, while 9.1% considered it unfavorable . However, for the last quarter of the year (October-December), the favorable outlook decreased to 81.8%, while 18.2% anticipated unfavorable conditions.

This difference shows that, although the perception of recent results has improved, there is greater caution regarding the end of 2026. Business optimism is based more on observed performance than on expectations for the coming months.

Revenue is growing, but costs are putting pressure on the economy.

One of the factors that supported the recovery of confidence was revenue performance . During Q3 2026, 72.7% of companies reported year-over-year growth  in revenue , while 27.3% indicated no growth or no change .

Among the companies that reported progress, 36.4% had growth of less than 5%, 18.2% increased between 5 and 10%, 9.1% registered an increase of between 10 and 15%, and another 9.1% exceeded 15 percent.

Costs and insecurity, among the main threats

Despite the recovery of the ICTYL in Q3 2026, business leaders identified factors that could limit their companies’ growth during the last quarter of the year.

Rising operating costs and the pace of the national economy topped the list of threats , each cited by 63.6% of respondents. Public insecurity came in second , mentioned by 54.5% of participants.

Weak demand and political uncertainty each accounted for 45.5%, while staffing shortages reached 36.4%. Other factors mentioned included the peso-dollar exchange rate  at 18.2%, and increased competition in the sector  at 9.1%.

These results show that the recovery of confidence coexists with a complex operating environment. On the one hand, revenue growth and a favorable business outlook underpin optimism; on the other, costs, uncertainty, and the evolution of the national economy continue to influence business decisions.

Thus, the ICTYL has once again risen above its 2018 baseline , confirming two consecutive quarters of recovery . However, the challenge for the transport and logistics sector will be to translate this improved outlook into sustained growth, without operational pressures and environmental risks reducing company profitability.

In September 2026, the Global Business Confidence Opinion Indicator (IGOEC) registered a monthly increase of 0.1 points but a year-on-year decrease of 1 point. With this latest observation, the indicator has remained below the 50-point threshold for 19 consecutive months, according to the results of the Monthly Business Opinion Survey (EMOE) conducted by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi) .

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El cargo Confidence in transport and logistics recovers; marks two consecutive quarters of growth: ICTYL apareció primero en T21.