FINSA , a developer of industrial parks in Mexico, presented the first international analysis of the Industrial Development Index (IDI) to assess manufacturing competitiveness in emerging economies and the structural conditions that could influence it in the coming years. The results positioned Mexico, India, and Vietnam as the countries with the highest level of industrial development among a group of 14 nations analyzed .
“In an increasingly challenging international environment, global value chains are evolving towards more resilient and diversified models . This opens up significant opportunities for emerging economies that can offer stability, talent, and competitive industrial capabilities,” emphasized Sergio Argüelles, president of FINSA.
The IDI’s comprehensive measurement gave Mexico a score of 60 points , compared to an overall average of 39 points. Panama registered the lowest levels with 20 points. The study used 33 indicators to measure the industrial economic environment and four enablers of future growth: logistics, social environment, sustainability, and talent and innovation .
In the industrial economic environment dimension, Mexico ranked first, being the leading manufacturing exporter in the group , with shipments of US$463 billion in 2023; followed by Vietnam, with US$300 billion; India, with US$273 billion; Malaysia, with US$214 billion; and Turkey, with US$208 billion. Mexico’s manufacturing GDP reached US$352 billion , representing 20% of the national economy.
In terms of trade integration, Mexico has an extensive foreign trade network with 23 international treaties, making it one of the most open economies in the group analyzed.
In terms of logistics enablers , the report considered factors such as infrastructure quality, logistics efficiency, digital connectivity, and cargo movement, where economies like Turkey, Malaysia, and Thailand show higher levels of efficiency than Mexico , which faces significant challenges in terms of infrastructure and efficiency in this area.
Regarding social enablers , which include indicators of human development, rule of law, security, institutional legitimacy and labor participation, Chile and Costa Rica stood out, while Mexico faces challenges in aspects such as perception of corruption, rule of law and presence of organized crime, which is a risk to investment.
In the sustainability dimension , Mexico shared first place with Brazil in energy efficiency regulation, according to the World Bank ‘s RISE index .
Regarding talent and innovation , 42% of manufacturing value added in Mexico comes from medium- and high-technology sectors, positioning it as one of the most advanced countries in the group. However, investment in research and development remains at a level close to 0.3% of GDP, a figure lower than that recorded in other emerging economies.
The International Industrial Development Index provides a snapshot of the state of manufacturing in emerging economies and the factors that will define their future competitiveness .
Argüelles emphasized that this knowledge will allow us to take advantage of the opportunities that arise with the transformation of international manufacturing.
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