Mexico to promote technology and clean energy with new industrial policy

The Mexican government on Tuesday announced a new industrial policy aimed at promoting sectors including electric vehicles, 5G technology, robotics, and artificial intelligence.

Presenting the initiative, Héctor Guerrero, undersecretary of industry and commerce at the Ministry of Economy, said the government’s plans aim to “fire precision shots” to benefit Mexico’s industrial sector.

Guerrero said Mexico needs “a change of industrial course,” particularly in five key sectors: Agribusiness and Food, Electrical Electronics, Electromobility, Medical Services and Pharmaceuticals, and Creative Industries.

“This policy provides a clear path of action for strategic sectors to increase the competitiveness of the economy now and in the future,” the official said.

Specific measures in the strategy include promoting the production of zero-emission vehicles to support the energy transition and promoting technology transfer processes.

It also aims to accelerate the introduction of 5G technology and artificial intelligence in the industry’s primary, secondary, and tertiary sectors.

Another goal is the development of smart cities through the use of sensors, robots, and artificial intelligence in public infrastructure.

Economy Minister Tatiana Clouthier said the selected sectors should form the “core” of the future economy.

“This does not mean that the other sectors are not central and important, but we have decided to make coordinated efforts to promote them,” she said.

In his speech, the president of the Federation of Chambers of Industry (Concamin), José Abugaber, said another goal is to provide Mexican families with better opportunities, more jobs, and prosperity.

According to Abugaber, the industrial sector contributes 40 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) and creates 54 of every 100 jobs in the country.