CANACINTRA and COSTEP Sign Strategic Binational Partnership to Boost Investment Between Mexico and South Texas

CANACINTRA and COSTEP signed a strategic alliance to boost investment, nearshoring, and industrial development between Mexico and South Texas.

The Council for South Texas Economic Progress, COSTEP, and the National Chamber of the Transformation Industry (CANACINTRA Nacional) have signed a memorandum of understanding to promote binational cooperation and drive competitiveness, investment, trade, workforce development, and institutional strengthening across the Rio South Texas Region and Mexico.

Through this strategic alliance, COSTEP will serve as a direct liaison for CANACINTRA delegations across Mexico, offering specialized support to companies looking to enter the U.S. market. The initiative establishes a long-term framework for collaboration and lays the foundation for joint programs that accelerate industrial integration and regional development.

Strengthening the Rio South Texas–Mexico Economic Corridor

The agreement was formalized at CANACINTRA’s national headquarters by Esperanza Ortega, National President of CANACINTRA, and Adam Gonzalez, CEO of COSTEP. Gonzalez emphasized the region’s global competitiveness and strategic relevance, spanning seven counties in South Texas and ten municipalities in northern Tamaulipas.

“Our region is not just a pathway between two countries—it’s a destination ready for investment,” Gonzalez stated. “We have over 60 years of manufacturing history and all the conditions to compete globally.”

Esperanza Ortega highlighted the alliance as a timely response to global trends. “Technology and artificial intelligence are rapidly advancing, and the only way forward is through strategic partnerships like this one,” she said. “This collaboration positions our region as a serious contender for global capital.”

Binational Integration Through Local Collaboration

COSTEP, a nonprofit and non-political organization, works as a connector between global investors and local stakeholders on both sides of the border. “We arrive with solutions,” Gonzalez noted. “Our network includes legal firms, logistics providers, workforce agencies, and educational institutions to ensure a smooth landing for new companies.”

COSTEP unites more than 40 economic development organizations in South Texas to present a unified front to global markets—simplifying entry for foreign investors while maximizing regional benefits. Its work also spans cross-border collaboration, particularly with northern Tamaulipas, to foster a fully integrated economic corridor.

With a privately funded, sponsor-backed model supported by banks, accounting firms, and logistics companies—and no reliance on public funds—COSTEP has positioned itself as an agile and efficient economic development leader. Its proximity to key infrastructure such as the Port of Brownsville, the Port of Matamoros, and SpaceX’s Starbase further enhances the region’s appeal as a hub for logistics and innovation.

“The South Texas–Northern Mexico corridor is more than geography—it’s a binational region with shared purpose,” Gonzalez added. “We’re ready to welcome investment and deliver growth to our communities.”

Building the Future of Binational Industry

COSTEP is also actively advancing regional industrial strategy through the creation of specialized clusters like the Rio South Texas Region Binational Autocluster, which aims to strengthen the region’s position in the global automotive supply chain. In addition, the organization promotes the region in international trade missions across Europe, Asia, and North America.

“Our commitment is to accelerate outcomes for companies interested in investing,” said Gonzalez. “We want them to know they have allies here who will guide them through every step.”

For CANACINTRA, the agreement opens new opportunities for investment promotion, supplier development, and training programs tailored to SMEs on both sides of the border. “With qualified labor, robust infrastructure, and international trade agreements, we are in a strong position,” Ortega emphasized. “This alliance will allow us to develop binational training strategies that meet the specific needs of installed industries.”

The memorandum outlines areas of collaboration including trade facilitation, industrial linkage, and expanding market access for affiliated companies in both Mexico and the Rio South Texas Region.

A Unified Path Toward Economic Transformation

For CANACINTRA members, partnering with an organization like COSTEP means access to hands-on guidance and structured pathways to successfully expand into the U.S. market. The agreement represents more than a symbolic gesture—it serves as a concrete mechanism to transform Mexico’s regional economies.

The signing ceremony also included participation from Lourdes Medina, Vice President of Industrial Sectors at CANACINTRA; Jaime Guerra, Vice President of Nearshoring; Guillermo Lash, Vice President of Maquiladoras and Border Zones; and Sergio Gracia, CEO of Mexico Industry. All underscored the need for deeper alignment between the private sector and development organizations to seize opportunities presented by nearshoring and global supply chain shifts.

“This is not just a memorandum—it’s a real tool to change economic outcomes,” Ortega concluded. “Together, we can become global strategic suppliers.”