Mexico Export Growth Drives Need for SME Internationalization

Mexico is entering a strategic phase defined by record export performance, geopolitical realignment and rising demand for regionalized North American supply chains, according to speakers at COMCE’s Foro de Mujeres Exportadoras 2026 panel, “The Future of International Trade: Opportunities for SMEs in the New Global Economy.”

“We are importing and exporting more than ever,” said Gina Diez Barroso, president, Diez Holdings, Grupo Diarq and Dalia Empower. “We have the capacity to manufacture high-quality products.”

Panel participants noted that Mexico reached approximately US$645 billion in exports in 2025 and is currently ranked as the world’s 11th most attractive destination for foreign direct investment. COMCE representatives also highlighted that SMEs account for 99% of the country’s 5.56 million companies and generate nearly 80% of employment and around 50% of GDP.

However, less than 10% of Mexican SMEs currently participate in export activity, underscoring a persistent structural gap.

Susana Duque Roquero, director general, COMCE, described SME internationalization as a key development challenge for Mexico, stressing the need to integrate more small and medium-sized firms into global value chains.

Diez Barroso said nearshoring should not be treated as a passing trend but as a time-sensitive opportunity for Mexico. “Nearshoring is not a fashion or a trend. It is a unique opportunity for Mexico that must be seized because timing matters,” she said.

John Carroll, CEO, Navigator Global, linked the acceleration of nearshoring to the increasing geopolitical use of trade policy, referring to it as the “weaponization of trade.” He said companies are shifting operations toward trusted regional partners and more resilient supply networks.

He identified three key forces reshaping global commerce: nearshoring, technological transformation and ESG-related requirements.

Carroll also underscored the importance of export participation among SMEs. Citing research presented during the panel, he said exporting SMEs grow two to three times faster than firms focused only on domestic markets and tend to be significantly more resilient during downturns. “In moments of crisis, an exporting SME grows 10 times more than one that does not export,” he said.

Digital transformation was another central theme. Panelists agreed that technology adoption is now essential for companies competing in international markets. “An exporting company without high-level technology cannot export,” Diez Barroso said.

Still, speakers emphasized that technology should complement, not replace, human decision-making. “We have to be more human,” she added. “The human aspect will never be replaced.”

Marcela Barreiro, president and CEO, Daimler Truck México, highlighted the operational implications of digitalization and supply chain integration in manufacturing. Daimler Truck México exports between 80% and 85% of its production to the United States and Canada, making it highly sensitive to shifts in trade conditions and logistics performance.

She noted that manufacturers are now judged not only on cost efficiency but also on reliability, sustainability, quality and long-term operational stability. “Now customers in the United States specifically request units produced in Mexico because they associate them with extraordinary quality,” Barreiro said.

She added that Mexico’s industrial base has shifted from low-cost manufacturing toward higher-value production supported by skilled labor, supplier integration and geographic proximity to North America.

Barreiro also said supply chain redesign has become essential under nearshoring dynamics. “We need to constantly reconfigure supply chains because of geopolitical changes and the influence of the United States,” she said.

Carroll added that SMEs entering global markets continue to face five main barriers: market access, regulatory compliance, logistics, payment systems and legal certainty. He said digital trade platforms are helping reduce friction by centralizing services once available only to large multinational companies.

“Technology is a game changer, but we cannot depend only on technology,” Carroll said, stressing the importance of trust, verification and human oversight in cross-border trade.

A further focus of the panel was the role of women in leadership and export-driven industries, with speakers linking diversity to productivity, workplace culture and growth outcomes.

Barreiro said increased female participation is reshaping traditionally male-dominated sectors such as manufacturing and logistics. “A diverse group will always bring more creative ideas and better results than a group where everyone thinks the same way,” she said.

She also noted that automation and digitalization have reduced many physical barriers that previously limited women’s participation in industrial roles. “Manufacturing a truck no longer requires the same physical strength as before,” she said.

Barreiro added that companies with higher female participation tend to show more balanced workplace environments and fewer misconduct-related issues.

Diez Barroso emphasized the macroeconomic impact of female entrepreneurship and leadership, arguing that greater participation could unlock significant growth potential for Mexico.

“If women participated in entrepreneurship at similar levels to men, Mexico’s economy could grow by as much as 65%,” she said.

The forum concluded with a message centered on competitiveness, innovation and Mexico’s evolving industrial positioning. Speakers reiterated that the country is moving beyond low-cost manufacturing toward a more advanced export and production model integrated into North American supply chains.

“We are no longer cheap manufacturing,” Diez Barroso said. “Today we are high-value manufacturing, high technology and high-skill labor.”