Amid the global reconfiguration of markets and the rise of relocation of production lines, known as nearshoring , Mexico and Italy are facing a historic opportunity to strengthen their economic and industrial ties , as indicated by Alessandro Modiano, Italian ambassador to Mexico, and Bruno Bettelli, president of Federmacchine , who agreed that the current context opens new possibilities for collaboration between both countries.
In an interview with T21, the diplomat highlighted the strategic role Mexico plays in the context of the reconfiguration of global value chains , especially in sectors such as the automotive and energy sectors.
“The major Italian groups are here precisely because of this huge market. It’s not just a domestic market, which is already promising, but it’s a huge market, so producing and investing here is a very important growth strategy for Italian companies,” he emphasized.
Modiano highlighted that Mexico offers conditions for large Italian multinationals to export sophisticated products to the market with the greatest purchasing power in the world: the United States , and gave the automotive sector as an example, where important Italian companies have a strong presence in Mexico, such as Stellantis , which is among the 10 largest foreign companies in the country, and Pirelli , a tire manufacturer, another prominent firm in the industry.
On the other hand, the Italian ambassador highlighted the “enormous” opportunities offered by the nearshoring phenomenon , positioning Mexico as a priority destination due to its proximity to the North American market. He also noted that it offers structural conditions that make it an ideal partner for strengthening value chains , such as a skilled workforce, a young population that boosts productivity, economic stability, and a growing demand for Italian machinery driven by its ongoing industrialization process.
“Made in Italy with Mexico”
For his part, Bruno Bettelli, president of Federmacchine, which brings together 12 industrial associations, noted that while sectors such as automotive and aerospace are fundamental, Mexico’s true value lies in its productive diversityand its ability to integrate into global value chains. This strength, he emphasized, can be further enhanced with Plan Mexico, which he described as a “fantastic opportunity . “
“Mexico is a very important hub for automotive manufacturing, but it’s not the only sector Mexico can develop, as it has its own strategic plan. With Plan Mexico, I think many more sectors will have growth opportunities,” he said.
Bettelli also emphasized that Mexico represents Italy’s most important strategic partner in its expansion into Latin America . In this regard, he proposed a new approach to industrial collaboration: a fusion of the concepts “Made in Italy” and “Made in Mexico,” which gave rise to the idea of ”Made in Italy with Mexico ,” symbolizing the construction of industrial and commercial bridges between the two nations.
“Through these two pillars, we can build bridges to all other countries. The only way is to work together to become stronger,” he concluded.
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