Mexico has established itself as Switzerland ‘s main trading partner in Latin America, a relationship that goes far beyond the exchange of goods, as it represents trust, long-term vision, and commitment to sustainable development, said Karina Lerma , president of the Swiss Chamber of Commerce in Mexico .
During the 7th National Congress of the Mexican Association of Freight Forwarders (Amacarga) , Lerma called for strengthening the capabilities of the Mexican logistics ecosystem to respond to a complex international environment, where resilience, diversification, and innovation are more necessary than ever.
He also highlighted the key role Swiss companies play in Mexico’s economic and social development.
With more than 250 Swiss-owned companies operating in Mexico , Switzerland is now the ninth largest investor in Mexico, creating around 55,000 direct jobs .
These companies are not only present in traditional sectors such as food, but also have a significant presence in strategic industries such as automotive, finance, energy generation, and high-tech.
“Since 2022, Mexico has become Switzerland’s most important trading partner in Latin America, surpassing even Brazil,” Lerma noted.
Within the framework of Eurocam, an organization that brings together the 11 most important European chambers of commerce in Mexico, representing more than 3,000 companies that generate over 1.5 million jobs, Switzerland has maintained its position as a reliable ally.
Lerma also emphasized that, starting in 2021-2022, Swiss direct investment in Mexico has grown by more than 300% , especially in sectors related to science, technology, and sustainable economic development.
He noted that this growth is guided by the “ Sultans ” hallmark , a business philosophy based on operational excellence, social responsibility, ethical governance, and the implementation of best practices in the communities where they operate.
In this regard, he took advantage of his speech to link Swiss participation to the main challenges facing the logistics sector in an increasingly uncertain global context.
Therefore, he identified seven major challenges that will shape the logistics agenda for the coming years.
The first is the reconstruction of global supply chains , since “we cannot afford to repeat the disruptions of the past,” he warned. Second, he called for diversification to mitigate risks , since resilience requires distributing capabilities and resources more strategically.
Third, the rise of emerging countries with new commercial success stories , where, he noted, opportunities for Mexico are multiplying.
The redesign of regional supply chains , forming strategic alliances to streamline relocation and addressing rising logistics costs , which should command the attention of businesses and authorities alike, were the fourth and fifth points.
The digital transformation driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI) was the sixth challenge, as “it is no longer a futuristic issue, it is a requirement of the present.”
Finally, sustainability, governance and corporate social responsibility are issues that concern the industry.
Karina Lerma called for strengthening the Mexican logistics industry to address these challenges and build new synergies with European partners, especially Switzerland.
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