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-Editorial
Mexicali recorded $64 million in new foreign direct investment (FDI) from January through September 2025, marking a significant increase compared with recent years, according to data from Mexico’s Secretariat of Economy.
Figures released through the National Registry of Foreign Investment indicate the total represents the highest amount of new FDI captured by the city during the first nine months of a year in recent records, Mexicali Mayor Norma Bustamante said.
The $64 million reported through September 2025 surpassed the $38.6 million recorded in 2023 and the $22.9 million reported in 2024 during the same nine-month period. The increase occurred despite economic uncertainty tied to tariffs imposed by the United States on imports from Mexico.
Bustamante attributed the investment growth to economic stability, regulatory transparency, and collaboration among federal, state, and municipal governments in coordination with the private sector. She said efforts to promote the city and highlight its economic strengths have contributed to attracting foreign capital.
Local officials also pointed to relatively low inflation, legal certainty for investors, and increased public infrastructure spending as factors strengthening Mexicali’s competitiveness. Authorities said the arrival of foreign investment is expected to support job creation and improve purchasing power among residents.
In total, Mexicali reported $624.2 million in overall foreign direct investment between January and September 2025, which includes new capital, reinvestment of earnings, and intercompany transactions, according to government data. Officials said the figures reflect continued confidence among companies operating or expanding in the city.
Data from Mexico’s National Institute of Statistics and Geography, or INEGI, supports the trend, showing an increase in the number of active manufacturing plants in the municipality. Mexicali currently has 152 maquiladora companies, a sector that continues to play a central role in the local economy and labor market.
Government officials said the growth of the manufacturing sector has contributed to the expansion of formal employment and wage improvements in the region. The maquiladora industry, which focuses on export-oriented manufacturing, remains one of Mexicali’s primary economic drivers and a key source of cross-border trade activity.
Authorities said they expect the upward trend in foreign investment to continue into 2026 as the city maintains efforts to attract new industries and strengthen existing operations. Officials noted that maintaining regulatory certainty and public-private coordination will remain priorities in promoting long-term economic development.
Mexicali is part of Baja California’s broader industrial corridor, which benefits from its proximity to the United States, established supply chains, and a skilled workforce. Economic development officials have emphasized the city’s strategic location and manufacturing infrastructure as key factors influencing investment decisions.
While officials expressed optimism about continued growth, they acknowledged that external economic conditions, trade policies, and global market fluctuations could influence investment flows in the coming years.
Authorities said they will continue monitoring economic indicators and working with industry partners to sustain investment momentum and support workforce development programs aimed at meeting industry demand.
