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With tickets sold out days before the event, the 2025 Index Mexicali Forum, “Global Manufacturing 5.0: Innovation, Sustainability, and Gender Equity,” drew business leaders, executives, and professionals from across Mexico and the U.S.-Mexico border, reaffirming Mexicali’s status as one of the most important centers for global manufacturing and export activity in the region.
The forum, organized by Index Mexicali, has become a cornerstone event in the industrial calendar. Now in its 15th edition, it reflects the city’s growing influence in shaping the future of Mexico’s export manufacturing sector—an industry that has evolved for over half a century and continues to be a major driver of economic growth and employment nationwide.
This forum, which has a 15-year history and strong roots, is part of an export industry with more than 50 years of experience, generating 3.3 million direct jobs and more than six million indirect ones. “We base our work on social responsibility as well as the growth and personal development of our workforce,” said Index Mexicali President and host Salvador Maese Barraza.
Throughout the day, attendees participated in a series of high-level conferences, workshops, and networking sessions that addressed current challenges and future opportunities in manufacturing. Topics included global competitiveness, digital transformation, nearshoring, supplier development, sustainability reporting, and the integration of artificial intelligence into industrial operations.
A panel titled “Competitiveness and Challenges in the Global Environment” featured prominent industry leaders such as Felipe Villarreal, president of Index Nuevo León; Guillermo del Río, president of Index Occidente; Federico Serrano, president of Index Zona Costa; and Luis Aguirre Lang, former national president of Index. The discussion focused on how Mexican manufacturing companies can adapt to shifting international markets, strengthen cross-border supply chains, and maintain competitiveness amid global uncertainty.
Another highlight was the session “Nearshoring and Digital Banking: Driving Mexico’s Financial and Manufacturing Future,” presented by René Saul Farro, CEO of Kapital Grupo Financiero, and Salvador Maese Barraza. The speakers emphasized the growing role of financial technology and digital infrastructure in supporting industrial expansion and foreign investment opportunities.
Pascal Beltrán del Río, editorial director of Grupo Imagen, led a presentation on “The Future of Supplier Development in Mexico: Innovation, Nearshoring, and Sustainability,” where he discussed the importance of building resilient local supplier networks that align with environmental and technological trends. Meanwhile, Ushuaia Guadarrama Valencia, director of sustainability at Forvis Mazars, explored “Sustainability Reporting Standards,” underscoring how transparent and verifiable sustainability practices are becoming essential to compete in international markets.
A major focus of the forum was gender equity and women’s leadership in manufacturing. The panel “Women of Success: Stories That Transcend,” moderated by Beatriz Rivas, featured inspiring stories from women who have excelled in traditionally male-dominated industries. During the session, the Index Mexicali Women’s Committee presented the 2025 Gender Equity and Women Leader Success Case Awards, recognizing companies and individuals for their contributions to advancing gender equality and empowering women in the workplace.
Leadership in the age of artificial intelligence was another key theme. Raciel Sosa, CEO of Leadex Solutions, presented a conference titled “Leadership in the Era of Artificial Intelligence,” in which he discussed how technology must be accompanied by emotional intelligence, adaptability, and human-centered leadership to truly enhance productivity and innovation.
The forum also featured lighter moments, including a “Master Class: Innovation in Mexican Distillates” conducted by mixologist Leslie Jaime, known as “Miss Coctel.” The class showcased creative approaches to blending tradition and modern innovation within Mexico’s beverage industry. The session was followed by a networking reception sponsored by Canirac Mexicali, offering attendees a space to exchange ideas and strengthen professional connections.
The forum’s inauguration brought together key representatives from government, industry, and academia. Among those present were Rodolfo Andrade Pelayo, Baja California’s Subsecretary of Economy and Innovation; Norma Alicia Bustamante Martínez, mayor of Mexicali; Octavio Sandoval López, president of the Mexicali Business Coordinating Council (CCE); Jorge Figueroa, federal delegate of the Ministry of Economy in Baja California; and René Saul Farro, president and CEO of Kapital Grupo Financiero.
In their opening remarks, officials praised Index Mexicali for its leadership in promoting cross-border collaboration and sustainable economic development. They highlighted Mexicali’s growing potential as a hub for nearshoring investments and its role in strengthening trade and industrial ties with the United States.
Organizers concluded the event by expressing their gratitude to sponsors, speakers, and attendees whose participation made the forum possible.
With its strong turnout and diverse program, the 2025 Index Mexicali Forum underscored the city’s role as a key meeting point for the export industry and a catalyst for collaboration between Mexico and its international partners.
