Jael Durán, director of the National Council of the Maquiladora and Manufacturing Export Industry (Index), explained that the authorities discovered how several of these companies imported supplies, especially from Asia, but never transformed them, nor sent them abroad. “I would even dare to call them ghosts, because they occupy this program only to introduce merchandise,” he said.
The IMMEX was created to attract supplies, transform them into Mexico and send the final product, mostly to the United States. However, the existence of facade companies alters the dynamics of the scheme and generates a black market that competes unfairly with those who do comply.
Humberto Martínez, president of Index Nacional, pointed out that there is an abuse of the program, but none within the council that brings together 1,500 IMMEX.
Changes in the program
Therefore, the new IMMEX 4.0 program is proposed, designed to strengthen the competitiveness of manufacturing, maquiladora and export services in Mexico, in addition to closing the passage to the improper use of this scheme.
Index presented to the Ministry of Economy a document with proposals and held work tables since the beginning of this year. Although the issue was paused for the attention that the agency concentrates on matters such as tariffs and trade balance, the agency ensures that there is already a final document that includes its requests and suggestions.
The main objective of the initiative is to facilitate trade, increase national content, improve the import scheme and contribute to job generation in the manufacturing sector. According to Index, the IMMEX program is going through a moment of synergy and must be consolidated as a key piece for Mexico to maintain its spearhead position in advanced manufacturing.
Greater synergy
Humberto Martínez said during the announcement of the 50th Index Convention that will be held in Mexico City, which in the midst of commercial uncertainty for Donald Trump’s tariffs, IMMEX ask for extensions and new investments.
The Mexico Plan, he recalled, set an ambitious goal: 1.5 million jobs in this six -year period. In that scenario, in recent weeks, the Federal Government approved 37 expansion permits under the IMMEX program, with which companies with long career in the country ensure the continuity of operations and the construction of new plants. Amid uncertainty, Mexico does not want to stop investment.
Tensions around automatic export notices are an example of an opening of the government with the private sector. The initial restriction of 30 tariff fractions generated alarm between companies that depend on global supply chains. After a dialogue with the sector, the Ministry of Economy restored 25 fractions immediately and five more shortly after. The case was illustrated how protectionist measures can collide with investment and employment objectives.
Something similar happened with tariffs on textiles, in Tijuana and Yucatán, where a six -month extension was granted to avoid closures and loss of jobs. Even express authorization to a plant in Reynosa was recorded with more than 1,200 workers, confirming the official disposition to preserve the activity.
