The western Mexican state of Sinaloa, traditionally known for its agricultural exports, is rapidly diversifying its industries to attract foreign investment and bolster its economy. With a growing electronics industry, Sinaloa is capitalizing on its unique advantages to become a hub for international manufacturers.
In addition to agriculture-related industries, Sinaloa is home to global manufacturers such as Delphi, Sumitomo, Walbro, and Hikam. The state’s rich biomass production capacity, with over 8.8 million tons per year, has also spurred growth in the biotechnology sector. Furthermore, Sinaloa’s naval industry has been producing innovative, high-tech propellers and marine chutes for over 60 years, while its IT and communications sector, around 15 years old, already contributes 5% of the country’s computer engineering.
Foreign companies are drawn to Sinaloa due to its strong export culture, legal and institutional reforms, and a growth and development model that has been adopted to increase competitiveness. The state government, along with the Council for Economic Development in Sinaloa (CODESIN), offers various incentives to attract investment, such as tax exemptions, access to public services, and scholarships for employee training.
Sinaloa’s labor force is young, highly productive, and loyal, with bilingual proficiency higher than the national average, thanks to its export-oriented focus. With major infrastructure projects underway to improve energy and transportation costs, the state is becoming even more attractive to businesses. The construction of a $6 billion USD natural gas pipeline will provide cleaner and cheaper energy, while the expansion of two large-scale ports, Mazatlan and Topolobampo, is expected to reduce transportation costs substantially.
The new Durango-Mazatlan highway, which shortens the driving time to Texas by six hours, further enhances Sinaloa’s strategic position in the electronics industry. With improved access to new markets in the southeast United States and reduced distances to domestic markets, Sinaloa’s electronics industry is well-positioned to thrive in the coming years.