Opportunities for collaboration between California and the Mexico state of Aguascalientes were the focus of an international luncheon forum last week at the California Chamber of Commerce offices.
The gathering was cohosted by CalChamber and the Consulate General of México in Sacramento as part of the 16th Annual Mexico Advocacy Day on June 17.
Aguascalientes Governor María Teresa Jiménez Esquivel led a 10-member delegation of the Economic Coordinating Council for her state, which is located in north-central Mexico.
The delegation included Aguascalientes Secretary of Economic Development, Science, and Technology Esaú Garza de Vega.
Attending the luncheon were 85 representatives from business and government, with half a dozen California legislators attending as well.
Building Friendships
Governor Jiménez highlighted similarities between Aguascalientes and California, including a commitment to clean energy, and emphasized the need to continue building friendships and economic ties at this important moment in the history of Mexico-U.S. relations.
Logistically, she noted, Aguascalientes is in a strategic location, midway between Mexico’s three most populous areas — Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey. Moreover, Mexico’s two main rail lines cross the state, providing connections to and from the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, plus the United States and Canada.
Aguascalientes
Governor Jiménez and Secretary Garza pointed out that Aguascalientes is strong in a number of areas:
- Security. One of the leading states in Mexico in security, Aguascalientes is competitive with international standards, has the best camera and monitoring systems in the country and the best cybersecurity and quick response (911) system, according to Mexico’s secretary of public safety. The same entity ranked the state second best for the reliability of its police force.
- Education. Recognizing the need to invest in and develop the talent needed for the state’s future, Aguascalientes is building new labs for studying semiconductors, electromobility, and robotics. About 30% of college graduates major in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
- Automobiles/auto parts. Japan is a major investor in the state, where two Nissan factories produce more than half a million cars per year and are a joint venture of Nissan and Mercedes-Benz. More than 200 suppliers’ factories also are located there.
- Clean energy. The 1,200 megawatts of solar energy generated in Aguascalientes is distributed throughout Mexico.
- Water management. The state leads Mexico in reusing irrigation water, saving 9 liters for every 10 liters used.
- Labor stability. More than 50 years have passed without a strike in the state, home to 23 industrial unions. The unemployment rate is 3.2% and workforce turnover rate is low.
- Lifestyle and culture. Reflecting the affordability, economic strength and good salaries of the region, 68% of residents own their own homes. The San Marcos Festival spans several weeks at the end of April/beginning of May and attracted 9 million visitors last year. The festival features cultural and livestock exhibitions and showcases the state’s industrial base and wineries.
