Sergio Contreras , executive president of the Mexican Business Council for Foreign Trade, Investment and Technology (Comce) , who was recently appointed vice president of Infrastructure Investment within the Special Committee for Investment and Relocation of Companies of the Business Coordinating Council (CCE) , highlighted that Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in semiconductors, data centers, the circular economy and clean energy continues to gain relevance in the world.
Within the framework of this new responsibility at the CCE, from which Contreras will collaborate in defining strategies to attract productive capital and develop infrastructure projects, he specified that these sectors should be targeted , since they are where companies are investing globally.
“The sustained growth of foreign investment in Mexico confirms that our country remains an attractive destination for business in terms of innovation,” he stated.
Contreras said that 2024 was marked by strong momentum in investment in semiconductors and data centers globally , reflecting a global trend in which nine of the 10 largest FDI investments worldwide were concentrated in these two technologies.
The two largest investments last year were in semiconductors: TSMC in Phoenix, Arizona, for $65 billion ; and Samsung in Taylor, Texas, for $24 billion .
He also emphasized that attracting FDI will be very important in high-value-added projects, highlighting that the manufacturing industry was the main destination for FDI in Mexico in 2024, accounting for 54% of the total.
Along these lines, transportation equipment manufacturing stood out, accounting for 50% of FDI; followed by the beverage and tobacco industries, with 20%; computer and electronic equipment, with 9%; the chemical industry, with 6%; and basic metals, with 4%.
In particular, FDI in the automotive industry increased by 36% annually, reaching $6.925 billion , representing 19% of the national total, consolidating its position as the sector with the greatest attraction of foreign capital.
“This growth in strategic industries opens up opportunities to attract new technologies,” Contreras Pérez emphasized.
The Comce pointed out that in 2024 Mexico attracted 36.872 billion dollars in FDI, consolidating its position as a key investment destination, with reinvestment of profits accounting for the majority of these flows, amounting to 28.710 billion dollars , reflecting the confidence of foreign companies established in the country.
Intercompany accounts totaled $4.994 billion , while new investments reached $3.168 billion .
“The 7.7% increase in reinvested earnings and the 8.3% increase in intercompany accounts, compared to 2023, confirms that Mexico is a country in which to establish and do business, as well as companies’ confidence in Mexico’s macroeconomic and political stability, its integration into global supply chains, and the specialization of its workforce. These factors have been decisive in helping companies already operating in the country strengthen their investments and consolidate their presence in the Mexican market,” Contreras stated.
By 2025, Comce’s CEO anticipates several key trends that could benefit Mexico. The restructuring of the global value chain is generating the formation of industrial clusters and subregional value chains, which could translate into new investments in manufacturing in the country.
At the same time, the technology-driven transformation of industries will continue to accelerate digitalization and smart manufacturing, with artificial intelligence as a key driver of new investments in industrial and service activities.
By 2025, Comce forecasts that renewable energy, telecommunications, data centers, and semiconductors will be the main sectors receiving FDI globally , so the organization is promoting a strategy aimed at supporting Plan Mexico from the private sector, so that the country can promote its competitive advantages in these industries.
“The country’s integration into strategic supply chains and its strength in advanced manufacturing will continue to be competitive advantages for attracting foreign investment. Our commitment at the Comce is to continue promoting foreign trade, innovation, and foreign investment in Mexico. We work closely with the public sector to ensure that the country remains a reliable and competitive destination for international investment,” concluded Contreras Pérez.
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