ANIERM Names Javier Lagunes as President, Outlines 3-Year Agenda

Mexico’s National Association of Importers and Exporters (ANIERM) announced the appointment of Javier Lagunes as its new president. Lagunes succeeds Gerardo Tajonar, who has led the organization since 2019. The transition was formalized during a ceremony attended by federal and state authorities, diplomatic representatives, and business leaders.

In his inaugural address, Lagunes outlined a structured agenda for his three-year term. He explained that the first year will focus on the consolidation of the exportable offer ecosystem, prioritizing SMEs and compliance with logistical and normative requirements. The agenda for the second year targets the international promotion of Mexican exports to expand destination markets. Finally, Lagunes stated that the third year will focus on strengthening logistics to enhance the transit, traceability, and competitiveness of Mexican products. He added that the association plans to work on at least 10 competency standards in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy (SE) to professionalize logistical and operational processes further.

Various industry leaders present at the event emphasized the importance of collaboration between associations to address sector challenges. Luis Villatoro, President, National Association of Vehicle Tracking and Protection Companies (ANERPV), highlighted the development of competency standards in logistics security as a necessary step to mitigate risks in supply chains and land transport, with these efforts being directed toward the base of workers. 

Similarly, Eva María Muñoz, President, Mexican Association of Freight Agents (AMACARGA), noted that the recently published standards in DOF reflect the sector's commitment to training specialists capable of navigating current international trade challenges. "The base of the pyramid is the principal part. If we strengthen labor competency standards that allow us to be better at that base, the tip of the pyramid will improve every day, and the benefits will be much broader, more precise, and better adapted for the benefit of our country,” she said. 

Claudia Ávila, Director General of Customs Attention and International Affairs, Mexico’s National Customs Agency (ANAM), described ANIERM as a key ally in the modernization of foreign trade. She emphasized the necessity of maintaining a technical dialogue with the private sector to advance the simplification and efficiency of customs processes.

Gerardo Tajonar’s Legacy

Tajonar said his term was framed by a complex global scenario defined by the enforcement of USMCA and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. He reported that during his six-year administration, ANIERM expanded its national presence from eight to 24 delegations. "The challenge was to navigate in total doubt. Today, I can affirm that this uncertainty has been transformed into the greatest opportunity of our generation: the consolidation of Mexico not only as a trading partner but as the indispensable strategic partner of the United States. This has been a period of constant action where every crisis was met with strategy,” Tajonar added.

Tajonar highlighted the implementation of the Three Steps to Export methodology, designed to assist SMEs. Additionally, he noted the strengthening of the Committee for Management by Competencies, which developed 11 labor competency standards. Four of these new standards were published in the Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF) on Nov. 25, 2025.