The Mexican Institute for Competitiveness (IMCO) warned on Tuesday about the effects that would be caused by the disappearance of autonomous bodies, in the context of the fact that this week the reform that seeks to eliminate seven bodies and transfer their functions to other agencies will be discussed and, if necessary, approved.

In a statement, the IMCO warned that the implications of the possible elimination of the Federal Economic Competition Commission (Cofece) and that its functions be transferred to the Ministry of Economy , as well as the eventual elimination of the Federal Telecommunications Institute (IFT) and that its functions go to the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT) , is that there is a risk that competition decisions , when originating from the Executive Branch , lack the necessary impartiality that their nature demands .

“This may erode the investment climate and companies’ certainty about the existence of bodies that issue rulings based on technique and not on particular interests. In addition, the elimination of the bodies may result in Mexico’s non-compliance with its trade obligations, since Chapter 18 of the Agreement between Mexico, the United States and Canada (T-MEC) requires the existence of a telecommunications regulatory body that is independent and impartial,” said IMCO.

He also indicated that the possible elimination of the Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) and that its functions be transferred to the Ministry of Energy (Sener) , as well as the probable disappearance of the National Hydrocarbons Commission (CNH) and that its functions be assumed by Sener , would bring the risk that the Executive Branch be “judge and party” in decisions on permits and rates in energy markets to benefit State actors .

“In addition, Chapter 22 of the USMCA includes a provision on the need to ensure that state-owned enterprise regulatory bodies – in this case Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) and the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) – exercise their regulatory obligations impartially.

In the event of the elimination of the National Institute for Transparency, Access to Information and Protection of Personal Data (INAI) and the transparency guarantee bodies, it would affect the accountability capacity of the government and its officials .

“Transparency in the exercise of public functions is a key element to achieve the commitments of the USMCA on anti-corruption, included in Chapter 27. In addition, it would impact the participation of civil society, given the limitation to make requests and the lack of a guarantor body,” the organization indicated.

Regarding the possible disappearance of the National Council for the Evaluation of Social Development Policy (Coneval) and the transfer of its functions to the National Institute of Geography and Statistics (Inegi) , the IMCO noted that without a rigorous evaluation of social programs, the constitutional principles of efficiency could be affected .

Regarding the possible disappearance of the National Commission for the Continuous Improvement of Education (Mejoredu) and the transfer of its tasks to the Secretariat of Public Education (SEP) , the organization stated that it will imply difficulties in identifying infrastructure needs , the state of learning in the country , among other indicators that are key to drawing up an actionable plan in long-term educational policy.

In light of this, the IMCO proposed guaranteeing the technical, operational and management autonomy of the decentralized or decentralised bodies or administrative units, establishing in detail the type of autonomy of each one in the subsequent modification of the corresponding laws.

He also proposed establishing a legislative control mechanism that requires the appearance of the heads of the units or institutions that absorb the functions, in order to monitor the progress of the administrative change and an evaluation of the performance of their functions to ensure the independence of their decisions.

Among other points, he proposed maintaining the perspective of collegial decision-making , which is currently done through government bodies, in order to avoid the concentration of interests. In addition, including within the Commission for Monitoring the Implementation and Review of the T-MEC in the Senate of the Republic a team in charge of monitoring possible breaches of the trade agreement.

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Luis Méndez Jaled, national president of the Mexican Chamber of the Construction Industry (CMIC) , expressed his concern about the recent approval in the Commission of Constitutional Points of the Chamber of Deputies that puts at risk the autonomy of several fundamental regulatory bodies in supervision of infrastructure projects in Mexico.

In this sense, he stated that the initiatives that seek the elimination of autonomous bodies such as Cofece , IFT , INAI , CONEVAL , CNH , CRE and MEJOREDU could affect the independence and effectiveness of decision-making for the implementation of key projects for the development of the country.

“It is crucial that these bodies continue to operate autonomously to ensure transparency and the correct execution of infrastructure projects,” said Méndez Jaled.

He stressed that the autonomy of these organizations is essential to comply with Mexico’s international commitments and promote foreign investment.

Regarding road and bridge infrastructure , Khaled made an urgent call to increase investment in the maintenance and improvement of the country’s road network, as he explained that only one in every three kilometers of road is in good condition.

He warned that between 20 and 30 billion pesos (mp) annually would be needed for the next six years to overcome the current crisis .

Additionally, the CMIC authority asserted that although Mexico has a wide network of clinics, hospitals and schools, many of these centers urgently require rehabilitation and maintenance work.

In his proposal, Méndez Khaled emphasized the importance of significantly increasing the resources allocated to these areas, aligning with the recommendations of international organizations.

The president of the CMIC also called on the authorities to consider public-private investment mechanisms and the creation of specific funds that guarantee the continuity and sustainability of social infrastructure projects.

He also highlighted the need to adopt international best practices in the construction of schools and hospitals, with a sustainable vision that promotes innovation and the development of resilient infrastructure.

Regarding President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s announcement to pause the relationship with the embassies of the United States and Canada , Méndez Khaled mentioned that the issue of embassies and the decisions that affect these institutions generate uncertainty.

He expressed that it is an issue that, although it falls outside the direct scope of the CMIC, could have important implications in the future, especially with the opening of issues such as the Treaty between Mexico, the United States and Canada (T-MEC) in 2026.

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