The Cali-Baja region boasts several key points driving its development, among which Ensenada, Baja California , stands out . This city is distinguished by integrating the strengthening of its logistics infrastructure with a knowledge economy , geared towards developing specialized human talent, which is why it could be compared to Silicon Valley (California), according to Héctor Uraga, president of the Ensenada Economic Development Council (Codeen) .

“We are evolving towards a knowledge economy. What we must do is add more value to our products and promote the development of clusters in biotechnology, aerospace, and renewable energy to reduce dependence and deepen North American integration,” Uraga explained in an interview with T21.

Ensenada not only relies on primary sectors like fishing and agriculture, but has also evolved into high-tech industries such as biotechnology and semiconductors . Its strategic location and integration with other markets have allowed it to rise to become an economic leader in the region. “Within a three-hour radius (of Ensenada), you’re in a market of more than 30 to 40 million consumers,” Uraga pointed out.

The municipality has positioned itself as an innovation hub with 25 universities and research units in key sectors , such as the Center for Scientific Research and Higher Education of Ensenada (CICESE) and the Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (CNyN) of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) . This ecosystem fosters the development of patents and technology-based companies that export advanced solutions in areas such as biofertilizers derived from seaweed. 

“For example, it’s a practical case. I have a consulting firm and I was advising a PhD in biotechnology. He has his own company (…) and he made biofertilizers from seaweed and they started offering biotechnology for organic vegetables, tomatoes, squash, strawberries. Then this is exported to the United States,” Uraga shared.

The market of opportunities also extends to the energy sector , Uraga emphasized, where the area functions as an “energy island” that generates and exports clean energy, including solar and wind, primarily to the United States. The presence of natural gas projects and the push for green hydrogen in the area place Ensenada at the forefront of modern environmental policies.

Logistics infrastructure, a central axis for Ensenada

The president of Codeen pointed out that the Port of Ensenada is the gateway for goods from various parts of the world, primarily Asia . “We are the best-located strategic port on the Pacific, the closest to the United States and Canada,” he emphasized. In the first quarter of 2026 alone, the Port of Ensenada handled 89,355 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), a 10.7% decrease compared to the same period in 2025; and its customs office collected 9,003.24 million pesos (MXN) in the first quarter of the year, representing a 143.4% year-over-year increase.

Regarding infrastructure projects, Uraga shared that there are projections for the municipality such as the Punta Colonet port , a terminal with a draft capacity of 17.5 meters that will have an area of ​​2,769 hectares with a port facility of 83 hectares, whose construction is scheduled in three stages between 2026 and 2035, and which seeks to project the state as a logistics hub in international trade, according to information from the Baja California government.

The executive noted that new railway lines are also planned , with which they seek to improve connectivity with the rest of Mexico and the United States, in addition to investments in highways.

Uraga believes the Cali-Baja region is one of the world’s largest markets. “If California and Baja California were a single country, we would be the fourth largest economy in the world.” By 2026, the main challenge will be attracting capital to scale local businesses and strengthen regional production chains .

“Infrastructure, consolidation in technological sectors, and turning growth into development (…) there are many patents, many scientists, and a lot of intellectual capital. What we have to do now is bring them angel capital or seed capital so that these ventures can grow,” he emphasized.

Uraga pointed out that Ensenada could be compared to Silicon Valley because of its location on the coast and because it is a key point in technological and talent development.

“Ensenada could be the Silicon Valley of Cali-Baja. We have the talent, research centers, and quality of life necessary for entrepreneurs to work from here for companies anywhere in the world, from Asia to Europe,” he concluded.

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El cargo Ensenada: The “Silicon Valley” of Cali-Baja that drives a knowledge economy apareció primero en T21.

During the event, Rocío Oyuki Torres López, Deputy Manager of Occupational Health, Safety and Environmental Protection at Hutchison Ports EIT , highlighted the importance of these actions within the framework of World Climate Day, and invited young people to become “guardians of the planet”. 

Meanwhile, on March 25, Hutchison Ports ECV donated a sports field to Lázaro Cárdenas Secondary School No. 8 in the Maneadero district. The facility, which was formerly part of the Ensenada Cruise Terminal, was renovated and relocated for the use of 1,348 students . During the handover ceremony, a meeting was held between terminal employees and students from various grade levels at the school. The project was made possible through the collaboration of Omega Servicios Integrales de Ingeniería and Ensenada Grass.

Finally, on March 18, the ECV terminal arranged an educational visit aboard the Navigator of the Seas cruise ship , where 24 students from Los Olivos elementary school participated, under the coordination of Royal Caribbean.

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El cargo Hutchison Ports promotes educational and social infrastructure in Ensenada apareció primero en T21.

TIJUANA, BC.- With the urgency of an industry that does not stop, the first edition of the Transportation and Logistics Meeting (ETYL) CALI-BAJA 2025 was inaugurated , a space that aims to connect specialists, open business bridges and recognize that logistics, when communicated, transforms.

Osiel Cruz Pacheco, CEO of Grupo T21 , was the first to speak, thanking the region’s business leaders for believing in this vision for more than two years.

“This event would not have been possible without the drive, support, and encouragement that entrepreneurs in this region gave us,” said Cruz Pacheco.

He emphasized that ETYL was born with the mission of strengthening communication as a strategic pillar in the industry: “Logistics is communication and connection. At T21, we believe that shared knowledge not only adds value, it multiplies,” he said.

He was joined on the podium by key figures from the region: Israel Delgado Vallejo, vice president of the northeast region of the  National Chamber of Cargo Transportation (Canacar) ; Alfonso Millán, Canacar delegate in Tijuana, Tecate, and Rosarito; and Captain Manuel Fernando Gutiérrez Gallardo, head of the General Coordination of Ports and Merchant Marine (CGPMM) .

With his characteristically direct and approachable tone, Israel Delgado recalled how the idea of ​​bringing the event to Baja California came about.

“Not everything has to happen in the center of the country. Here, too, there is vision, passion, and commitment. This event is proof that Tijuana has logistical and business strength that deserves to be visible,” he explained.

He insisted that the supply chain is only efficient when each link understands its role and works together: “We have to talk about opportunities, not just challenges. The time is now ,” he asserted.

The institutional presence was led by Captain Gutiérrez Gallardo, who in his participation highlighted the support of the Secretary of the Navy, Admiral Raymundo Pedro Morales Ángeles.

In his message, he emphasized that Mexico remains the United States’ main trading partner , with trade exceeding $215 billion in the first quarter of 2025 alone.

“This volume wouldn’t be possible without efficient and sustainable logistics chains. That’s why we’re here, to build more agile and environmentally friendly routes,” he explained.

The port coordinator highlighted the growing role of the Port of Ensenada , which handled 3.96 million tons and 434,000 containers in 2024, establishing itself as a key hub for the region and the country’s main destination for cruise passengers.

“Under Admiral Robinson’s leadership, Ensenada is successfully combining its commercial and tourism vocation. We’re aiming for more with the expansion of the port of El Sauzal and a new maritime traffic control center,” said Gutiérrez Gallardo.

Following the formal ceremony, the first panel of the program, titled ” Modernization of the Port of Ensenada, the Railroad, and Beyond ,” took place. Throughout the day, two other panels will address nearshoring , border infrastructure, and strengthening the logistics chain between both sides of the border.

This event, which also includes networking sessions and a cocktail reception at sunset, brings together transporters, logistics operators, officials, and academics in a dynamic that prioritizes dialogue and the exchange of experiences.

The atmosphere at ETYL Cali-Baja is one of collaboration, with attendees having the opportunity to open business opportunities and discuss industry trends.

“We want to get to know each other, to get to know each other better so we can improve logistics,” Osiel Cruz said in his speech.

The second day of the event will continue tomorrow with new panels and more opportunities for discussion. Expectations are already high for the proposals that will emerge from these discussions, with logistics as the guiding principle and the path forward.

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El cargo ETYL Cali-Baja kicks off with a call for logistics connection apareció primero en T21.

Baja California has established itself as a fundamental pillar of Mexico ‘s economic development . Through a combination of foreign investment, growth in the manufacturing industry, and sustainable efforts, the region has demonstrated its ability to attract capital and foster progress.

According to data from the Baja California Secretariat of Economy and Innovation , the economic impact generated in the state between January 2024 and January 2025 reached 263,072 million pesos (mdp) , strengthening various productive areas.

One of the key factors in this growth has been the export manufacturing industry, in which Baja California continues to stand out as a leader.

Likewise, organizations such as Index Zona Costa Baja California have boosted the state’s competitiveness, ensuring that more than 150 projects from the national investment portfolio are concentrated in the region.

Foreign direct investment has also been instrumental in strengthening the state’s economy. In 2024, the state received $2.4385 billion in foreign investment, with the United States as its main trading partner, contributing $1.650 billion . The manufacturing industry accounted for 72.34% of these resources, according to the state’s Ministry of Economy and Innovation.

The phenomenon of relocating production lines in Mexico, known as nearshoring , has been another key element in the state’s growth, attracting between $ 500 million and $1 billion in foreign direct investment by 2023 .

The Port of Ensenada has emerged as a strategic point within this process, thanks to its privileged location and developing infrastructure.

However, Ensenada ‘s port activity has faced challenges due to U.S. tariff policies. During the first quarter of 2025 , total cargo throughput at the port decreased by 14.3% year-over-year, impacting trade dynamics. Despite this, Baja California ‘s overall growth remains positive.

In the productive sector, national revenues from the Manufacturing, Maquiladora and Export Services Industry Program (IMMEX) have shown an upward trend, rising from 3,385.32 billion pesos in January 2024 to 4,550.2 billion pesos in January 2025 , supporting the state’s competitiveness and its ability to strengthen its export industry.

Additionally, in the third quarter of 2024, Baja California’s economically active population was 1.82 million people , with an unemployment rate of 2.72%, according to data from the federal Ministry of Economy .

Economic growth has also impacted the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) . In 2023 , Baja California recorded a GDP of 951.66 billion pesos , a 3.5% increase compared to 2022 , reflecting the dynamism and financial stability that has characterized the region in recent years, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) .

To continue consolidating its role in national development, Baja California will host the Transportation and Logistics Meeting (ETYL) CALI-BAJA 2025 , organized by Grupo T21, which will take place at the Grand Hotel Tijuana on May 14 and 15. To register, go to the page baja.etylmx.com/.

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El cargo Baja California: An expanding economic engine apareció primero en T21.

As part of the “Dock School” initiative , the multi-purpose terminal (TUM) dedicated to the movement of containers, Hutchison Ports EIT , carried out various restoration activities at the General Lázaro Cárdenas Indigenous Primary School , located in the community of San Antonio de las Minas, in Ensenada, Baja California.

At this school, which was founded 25 years ago and serves 83 students, four dining rooms were installed, as well as eight concrete benches, so that students can enjoy their meals in an adequate and dignified environment.

The terminal belonging to the multinational group Hutchison Ports also donated materials for the care of the garden such as gloves, shovels, rakes, watering cans and water sprinklers, as well as safety cones to ensure the safe crossing of children.

At the school, where four teachers teach, and whose community is made up mainly of peasant families of Oaxacan origin dedicated to growing grapes, as part of the “GoGreen” environmental campaign , a school garden was implemented in which seeds, plants and trees were planted, which will contribute to learning about sustainability by integrating values ​​of ecological responsibility.

“At Hutchison Ports EIT we are fully aware that education is a key element for the development of our communities. For this reason, we have a programme called ‘Dock School/Go Green’, whose main objective is to support educational institutions to improve their infrastructure and, at the same time, contribute to the conservation and protection of the environment,” highlighted Javier Rodríguez Miranda, general manager of Hutchison Ports EIT.

OMEGA, Comprehensive Engineering Services , also participated in this initiative , and also collaborated by donating a bench.

Students, teachers and parents participated in the project delivery, and the educational activity “ Climate Action Card Game/Talk” was also carried out , designed to raise children’s awareness of environmental issues and promote sustainable habits.

A reflection session was also held to discuss ecological practices that could be implemented at school and in the homes of the participants; in addition, the students participated in recreational activities to promote coexistence.

Since its creation, the “Dock School” program has benefited thousands of students in various educational institutions in Ensenada, thus consolidating itself as one of the most outstanding initiatives of Hutchison Ports EIT to promote sustainable development and improve educational quality in the region.

“Through this program, each year we select a school to collaborate in its improvement, carrying out projects that have a positive impact on both its facilities and the natural environment. We know that supporting education, society and the environment not only benefits communities, but also builds a more prosperous future for everyone,” concluded Javier Rodríguez.

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El cargo Hutchison Ports EIT restores Ensenada primary school through the “Dock School” program apareció primero en T21.