Nuevo Laredo Powers Industrial Leadership - Third Index Forum

Nuevo Laredo reaffirmed its position as a key industrial hub in northern Mexico during the Third Index Nuevo Laredo Forum, which brought together manufacturing leaders, business organizations, local authorities, and industry experts to discuss the future of the export sector.

Index Nacional Director Jael Durán, highlighted the region’s growing relevance as a center for innovation, collaboration, and competitiveness within Mexico’s manufacturing and maquiladora industry.

“This forum is a space where ideas, knowledge, and collaboration converge toward a common goal: strengthening competitiveness and building the future of the industry together,” said Enrique Morán, president, Index Nuevo Laredo, during his opening remarks.

Morán emphasized that Nuevo Laredo plays a fundamental role in Mexico’s economic development as a strategic border city that drives trade and the exchange of ideas and technology. In 2024, the city’s exports totaled US$4.87 billion, reflecting a 5.24% increase compared to the previous year.

In Tamaulipas, the manufacturing, maquiladora, and export services sectors employ more than 240,000 people, representing 7.4% of Mexico’s total employment in the field. “Behind these figures are people, families, and a value chain that propels Mexico forward,” Morán added.

The forum addressed five strategic pillars for industry growth: talent management, economy, foreign trade, cybersecurity, and the environment. Morán described them as “the foundations of sustainability, competitiveness, and social responsibility in our sector.”

“Nuevo Laredo is ready to continue leading Mexico’s economic growth. We are a border, we are talent, we are innovation,” he concluded.

The Third Index Nuevo Laredo Forum reinforced the manufacturing industry’s commitment to progress, innovation, and opportunity generation, driving competitiveness across northern Tamaulipas and Mexico.

Grupo Carso Wins Contract For Saltillo-Nuevo Laredo Train

In Nuevo Laredo-related news, MBN reported that Grupo Carso announced that its subsidiary Operadora CICSA, in partnership with FCC Construcción, secured a contract to design and build segments of the Saltillo–Nuevo Laredo passenger train, part of the federal government’s Tren del Norte project.

The Saltillo-Nuevo Laredo Passenger Train is part of the federal government's plan to expand the country's passenger rail network to improve connectivity in northern Mexico and facilitate mobility between two strategic industrial hubs, says FCC Construcción.

The contract, awarded by the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transport (SICT) through the Rail Transport Regulatory Agency (ARTF), covers 111km of track between Saltillo and Santa Catarina. The CICSA-FCC consortium submitted the most competitive technical and economic bid among six participants.

The project is valued at MX$31.84 billion (US$1.73 billion), including VAT. Both companies will hold equal stakes, with CICSA and FCC each contributing 50%. Construction will begin on Sept. 30, 2025, with a planned execution period of 960 days.