Durango Courts Chinese Capital; Investment Wave Boosts Jobs

Durango is entering a key phase of economic growth, supported by 28 investment projects that are operating, under construction or set to begin operations, generating more than 20,000 direct jobs and an estimated 80,000 indirect positions, state officials and business leaders said. The projects, backed by national and international capital, represent a combined investment of about US$4.17 billion and span sectors including automotive manufacturing, logistics, industry and services. Authorities say the inflow of capital is already translating into job creation, infrastructure development and broader regional growth across the northern Mexican state.

Durango has positioned itself as an increasingly attractive destination for productive activity, with projects distributed across the state capital, the Laguna region and several municipalities. The geographic spread has helped bring formal employment and development opportunities to multiple communities, contributing to more balanced economic growth.

Business representatives attribute the state’s momentum to favorable investment conditions, including a skilled workforce, access to strategic services and improving infrastructure. Coordination among companies, government authorities and local communities has also played a role in creating a climate of confidence for long-term projects.

Durango is located in northern Mexico, connecting the Pacific coast to the United States border via the Mazatlan-Matamoros highway axis. The state maintains a road network of 12,447km and seven main highway access points that link to ports and border crossings such as Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua and Piedras Negras, Coahuila. Industrial infrastructure includes the Durango Logistics and Industrial Center (CLID) and parks in the Laguna Region, which provide access to natural gas, fiber optic telecommunications, and electrical substations. The state's workforce is supported by 161 higher education institutions and research centers offering 477 degree programs, according to the local government’s data. 

The state’s industrial base includes forestry, mining, and advanced manufacturing. Durango ranks first in Mexico for timber production and forest reserves, with 2Mha under sustainable management. It is also the fourth-largest producer of metals and minerals in the country , hosting 23 mines that extract silver, gold, lead, and zinc. In manufacturing, the state hosts automotive suppliers such as Aptiv, Yazaki, and Daws, which produce harnesses and components. These operations utilize local resources, including non-metallic deposits like bentonite and marble.

Regarding international trade in 2024, the main sales were electrical wires and cables valued at US$493 million, followed by vehicle parts and accessories at US$327 million and vulcanized rubber articles at US$166 million. The United States served as the principal export destination with US$1.42 billion, while Canada and Honduras accounted for US$72.3 million and US$52.6 million, respectively. Conversely, international purchases were led by corn at US$261 million, soybean extraction residues at US$192 million, and vehicle parts at US$149 million. The primary origin of these imports was the United States with US$1.04 billion, followed by China with US$212 million and South Korea with US$172 million, according to the Ministry of Economy (SE).

The economic expansion is also having a social impact. For workers employed by companies operating in the state, formal jobs provide greater economic stability and improved opportunities for families, including access to education and a higher quality of life.

Durango’s current investment portfolio includes new manufacturing plants, expansions, industrial parks, logistics developments and service-sector businesses. Companies with projects in operation, under construction or nearing launch include Coficab II, LS e-Mobility Solutions, Daws Durango Sur, Grupo Aeroportuario OMA, Leoni, Johnson Controls, Arauco, Linamar, Kyungshin, and Siete Leguas Automotive, many of them expanding existing operations.

New investments include Guadiana Logistic Park, Farmacias del Ahorro, Tim Hortons, Cofatech, Ammega, IPSE, Vishay, Cisef, Parque Industrial Laguna, Ciudad La Encantada, Parque Industrial Centalia, Liga Mayor Tlahualilo, Fermachem, and Fermaca. Multipak is undergoing a relocation process and workforce expansion, while Yura Lerdo, Yura Mapimí, and Daws San Juan del Río are installing new plants.

With this wave of investment, Durango is navigating a pivotal moment in its economic history. Officials say the combination of productive capital, job creation and institutional coordination is laying the groundwork for sustained growth and reinforcing the state’s competitiveness as an industrial and business hub in the years ahead.

Durango Bets on Chinese Investments

Beyond the volume of projects already reshaping its local economy, Durango is also intensifying efforts to attract new sources of foreign capital. As global supply chains adjust and companies seek alternative production platforms closer to North American markets, state authorities are expanding their international outreach to position Durango as a competitive destination for strategic investment. 

Amid the global reshuffling of supply chains, the government of Durango is making a decisive bid for Chinese investment. State officials, led by Foreign Investment Head Arturo Ortiz, met with China’s Ambassador to Mexico Chen Daojiang to showcase Durango’s potential as a strategic foothold in North America, aiming to secure new projects and deepen economic ties with one of Mexico’s principal trade partners, reported MBN.

Ortiz reported that he met Ambassador Chen, with the objective of exploring the feasibility of establishing new productive projects within the state and to strengthen economic cooperation between the entity and the Asian nation. Dialogue took place within the framework of the Reception for Ambassadors and Consuls of Mexico Abroad. According to Ortiz, this initiative aligns with the strategy promoted by Governor Esteban Villegas to position Durango as a competitive destination for international capital, particularly as Asian companies seek new operational platforms in North America.

The meeting occurs amidst the ongoing trend of nearshoring, where companies are relocating factories and supply chains closer to the North American market. With China remaining one of Mexico's principal trade partners, Durango authorities aim to present the state as a viable alternative for Chinese capital looking to establish a regional foothold. Efforts to attract Chinese and other foreign investors are supported by a solid structural foundation. Durango’s geographic location, logistics connectivity, industrial infrastructure and skilled labor base have become central pillars in the state’s investment pitch, reinforcing its appeal amid the global nearshoring trend.

This encounter is not the first time Durango authorities have engaged with Chinese players seeking investments. Ortiz previously participated remotely in the Mexico-China Trade and Investment Forum organized by the Mexican Embassy in China, engaging with over 100 companies in person and another 350 connecting remotely. During that session, the state administration highlighted its competitive advantages in key sectors such as automotive, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing. This effort built upon a memorandum of understanding signed with the China Overseas Development Association (CODA) to drive concrete results. "We presented the competitive advantages of our state to confirm a visit from a delegation of Chinese companies, continuing to make things happen for Durango," Ortiz stated regarding the initiative.