ExxonMobil, COMEXUS Complete Big Data, AI Program for Students

ExxonMobil México, in partnership with Mobil lubricant distributors and the US-Mexico Commission for Educational and Cultural Exchange (COMEXUS), has successfully completed the 2024 Skills Development Program. This initiative provided scholarships for 21 Mexican students to participate in a three-week summer program at the University of Texas at Dallas, focusing on Big Data and Artificial Intelligence.

The program, aimed at enhancing the participants' skills in key areas relevant to investment relocation and supply chain integration, concluded with a ceremony at Exxon Mobil Corporation's campus in Houston. 

During the event, Dave Hergenrether, Vice President of Finished Lubricants, and Bill H. Eisner, President and General Manager, ExxonMobil Mexico, underscored the importance of supporting young Mexican talent. "We are pleased to support these scholarships for young Mexican talent alongside our Mobil lubricant distributors. Empowering women in the energy sector is fundamental,” said Eisner.

"Mexico has become the United States' top trading partner, surpassing China. This trend will continue as we leverage the enormous potential of nearshoring and Mexican talent," says Ma. Elena Orantes, Consul General of Mexico in Houston.

Impact of Nearshoring on Mexico

Nearshoring gained momentum in 2018 when US tariffs on Chinese imports and global supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the risks of over-reliance on China. This led to a surge in relocating activities in Mexico, making it a leading destination for companies seeking to mitigate these risks. In 2023, Mexico's foreign direct investment reached US$36 billion, with US$10 billion in the first quarter of 2024. Industrial space also grew by approximately 15% in 2024 to roughly 11 million square meters, according to the Ministry of Economy.

Mexico's strategic advantages, including its proximity to the United States, a favorable demographic profile, and lower economic costs, have solidified its position as the top importer of US goods, surpassing China.