Jalisco Attracts $1.4 Billion in Foreign Investment in 2026

Summary: Jalisco attracted US$1.41 billion in FDI in 1H2026, surpassing its full-year 2025 total, driven by a 25% increase in new investment and a 52% rise in reinvested earnings despite a national decline in new foreign capital. The state is reinforcing this investment momentum through manufacturing expansion and a renewed Jalisco Tech Hub Act focused on semiconductors, AI, IT, advanced manufacturing, talent development and greater private-sector participation. 

Jalisco attracted US$1.41 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) between January and June 2026, surpassing the US$1.2 billion received during all of 2025, as new investments and reinvested earnings increased despite a national decline in new foreign capital. The state registered US$256 million in new investments during 1H2026, up 25% annually, making Jalisco the fourth-largest recipient of new foreign capital among Mexico’s states.

The performance marked the second consecutive quarter in which Jalisco ranked among Mexico’s top five states for new investment. It also contrasted with a 13.4% national decline in this category during the same period, according to data from Mexico’s Ministry of Economy.

The state’s results point to continued interest from foreign companies already operating in Jalisco, while also highlighting efforts to attract new projects in manufacturing, technology and other strategic industries. 

Reinvestment Strengthens Jalisco’s Investment Base

While new projects contributed to Jalisco’s performance, companies with an established presence in the state accounted for a significant share of the capital recorded during 1H2026. Reinvested earnings reached US$1.02 billion, 52% above the US$673 million reported during the same period of 2025.

The increase suggests that foreign companies are allocating a larger portion of their earnings toward expanding, modernizing or strengthening existing operations in the state. For Jalisco, the trend provides an additional source of capital beyond the arrival of new companies and projects.

“Jalisco presents a contrast to the national decline; we had growth in our new investments,” said Cindy Blanco Ochoa, Minister of Economic Development. She added that the state has focused on encouraging companies already established in Jalisco to expand while creating conditions that support reinvestment and long-term operations.

Intercompany accounts, another component of FDI, reached US$125.7 million during the six-month period, representing a 127% annual increase. These transactions reflect financial operations between related companies and further contributed to the state’s overall investment performance.

Together, new investments, reinvested earnings and intercompany accounts indicate that Jalisco’s foreign investment growth is being supported by both incoming capital and the expansion of companies already embedded in the state’s industrial and business ecosystem. 

Manufacturing Leads Sector Investment Growth

The manufacturing sector was among the strongest drivers of Jalisco’s FDI performance during 1H2026. Foreign investment in manufacturing increased from US$358.8 million in the first quarter to US$861.6 million in the second quarter, representing quarterly growth of 140%.

The increase reinforces manufacturing’s role in Jalisco’s investment strategy as companies continue to expand production capacity and integrate more advanced technologies into their operations. Other sectors also recorded increases, including professional, scientific and technical services; wholesale trade; accommodation and food and beverage services; and agriculture. 

Jalisco Renews Technology Policy To Support Industry

Against this investment backdrop, Jalisco is also updating its policy framework for the technology sector through a renewed Jalisco Tech Hub Act. The initiative seeks to give private industry a greater role in shaping the state’s innovation and high-technology agenda while integrating technology policy more closely with industrial development.

The renewal was announced during the International High Technology Congress, organized by the Western Regional Chapter of the National Chamber of the Electronics, Telecommunications and Information Technology Industry, known as CANIETI Occidente, reported MBN. 

Marco Estrella, President of CANIETI Occidente, and Mauro Garza, Jalisco’s General Coordinator for Strategic Growth and Economic Development, signed the commitment to the state’s public policy on innovation and high technology and the renewed Tech Hub Act.

One of the main changes is the creation of a new governance structure through the Council for Innovation and High Technology, chaired by Jalisco Gov. Pablo Lemus. Under the framework, CANIETI will serve as the council’s Technical Minister, giving the technology industry a formal role in coordinating implementation and monitoring policy results.

The model is intended to connect industry priorities with government actions involving investment attraction, talent development, technology adoption and knowledge transfer. 

Technology Strategy Targets Advanced Industries

The renewed technology framework comes as Jalisco seeks to move beyond a technology-specific policy and incorporate innovation into its broader industrial strategy. Government and private-sector representatives are expected to maintain complementary roles, with companies identifying industry requirements and the government facilitating conditions for investment and development.

CANIETI’s responsibilities will include convening the council, following up on agreements and evaluating the results of the public policy. Industry participation is intended to help translate business priorities into recommendations related to investment attraction and the development of specialized talent.

The policy identifies semiconductors, artificial intelligence, information technology and advanced manufacturing among the strategic areas that could benefit from greater coordination between companies, government and academia.