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-Editorial
Kurt Honold Morales, Secretary of Economy and Innovation, participated in the 2025 Industrial Meeting held in celebration of the 80th anniversary of CANACINTRA Mexicali. Honold was invited by the president of the chamber, Francisco Fuentes Aréstegui, to present the Economic Outlook and Strategic Projects of Baja California.
Addressing business leaders, CANACINTRA members, and the media, Honold emphasized that Baja California is the only industrialized state in the country with 16 consecutive quarters of economic growth, from the fourth quarter of 2020 to the third quarter of 2024, according to ITAEE data.
Using various economic indicators, he outlined the challenges and opportunities facing the region in 2025, pointing out that Mexico’s international outlook this year presents challenges such as the threat of a 25% tariff from the United States, which could impact bilateral trade valued at $74 billion, according to Moody’s. However, Mexico is also exploring new opportunities in commercial diversification, technological innovation, and sustainable growth.
Despite a contraction in employment at the close of 2024, when 29,338 formal jobs were registered in December, Baja California maintains a 97.9% occupancy rate and is the sixth-largest employer in the country with over one million workers registered with IMSS.
Foreign investment and international trade reflect confidence in the state. Direct foreign investment (FDI) reached $1.998 billion in the first three quarters of 2024, a 68% increase from 2023, far surpassing the national average of 1.5%.
International trade also saw growth, with exports totaling $55.118 billion and imports increasing by 6.5%, reaching $48.8 billion.
To boost growth, Baja California is advancing in key productive infrastructure, including strategic projects such as the increase in electricity supply, the construction of the Punta Colonet Port, the Colonet-Mexicali Railway, the Otay II crossing to improve cross-border trade, and the use of hydrogen as an energy source, alongside natural gas expansion. The state is also focused on desalination and water treatment plants, electric mobility with a network of charging stations, and the development of smart, sustainable municipalities.
In closing, Honold noted that while Baja California is maintaining a solid economic performance, challenges remain, including inflation in Tijuana, which recorded the highest price increase in the country at 89.4% by the end of 2024, in contrast to Mexicali, where inflation decreased by 37.1%.
The state continues to attract industries such as automotive and electronics, which accounted for 56.3% of manufacturing growth.
“The Government of Baja California reaffirms its commitment to innovation, industrial strengthening, and sustainable development to consolidate growth in 2025,” Honold concluded.