Presidential Candidates Meet Transportation Representatives

Presidential candidates met with representatives of the transportation industry to discuss the main challenges the sector faces in Mexico. This week, the presidential candidate of the "Frente Amplio por México" alliance, Xóchitl Gálvez, met with Miguel Ángel Martínez, National President, CANACAR, to discuss the main challenges the industry is facing and possible solutions. Meanwhile, the presidential candidate for MORENA, Claudia Sheinbaum, met truck drivers in July to discuss highway insecurity. 

During a meeting on Monday, Gálvez and Martínez addressed various topics related to the transportation sector's impact on the Mexican economy. The sector represents 3.5% of the GDP, accounts for 83% of trade with the US and Canada and generates over 500,000 direct jobs.

Among the main challenges mentioned were the need to renew the fleet, promote competitiveness and address the shortage of operators in the country, which exceeds 50,000 drivers. Other topics included professionalizing the sector, adopting better technologies, addressing security and considering nearshoring as an opportunity to attract investments. CANACAR estimates about US$40 billion coming into Mexico in the coming years.

CANACAR highlighted the urgency to modernize road, port, customs and airport infrastructure because, in its current state, it causes severe disruptions and delays in product distribution, hindering the arrival of capital, reports Radio Fórmula. Gálvez emphasized her willingness to listen to the industry regarding the issues it faces and, above all, to work on improving conditions for cargo transport operators. She also expressed interest in the opportunities that nearshoring can bring, adding that it is necessary to provide guarantees that enable businesses to grow and offer opportunities to their employees. 

MORENA’s presidential candidate Claudia Sheinbaum held a meeting with truck drivers in July and recognized the urgency to address highway insecurity, especially in the southeast and central regions of the country. She also said it was necessary to improve the highway network and propose expanding the Puebla-Orizaba highway.

CANACAR reiterated its interest in engaging in open dialogue with all candidates, intending to foster a dialogue that contributes to the search for new opportunities for Mexico and addresses the industry's challenges. In his Twitter account, Martínez mentioned that CANACAR seeks to create a dialogue with all the political, social and business forces in the country, aiming to make the freight transport sector a more competitive industry that contributes to Mexico's growth.