COMCE Noreste kicks off the 2025 International Foreign Trade Forum

With a call to strengthen North American regional integration, the 2025 International Foreign Trade Forum officially began this Thursday in Monterrey. Organized by the Northeast Chapter of the Mexican Business Council for Foreign Trade (COMCE Noreste), the event has solidified its position as one of the premier platforms for dialogue and collaboration among governments, companies, and industry organizations.

The opening ceremony was led by Jesús Herrera, President of COMCE Noreste, who welcomed high-ranking officials, consular representatives, and business leaders. He emphasized that this 18th edition marks the continuation of a strategic forum that returned in 2024 after a seven-year hiatus.

“Today more than ever, the global landscape demands adaptability, vision, and collaboration. We have designed a program that tackles critical issues for the region—from the review of USMCA, to infrastructure investment, the automotive industry, and the political climate in the United States,” said Herrera.

The forum featured the participation of prominent officials including Ismael Ortiz Fernández, Head of the Global Economic Intelligence Unit of the Mexican Government; Emmanuel Loo, Acting Head of the Nuevo León Ministry of Economy; Melissa A. Bishop, U.S. Consul General in Monterrey; Annabelle Larouche, Canadian Consul General in Monterrey; Arnoldo Padilla, Director of the Border Corridor; Dr. Javier Zendejas, First Vice President of COMCE Noreste and Executive at DICEX; and Andrés Franco, General Director of COMCE Noreste.

During his remarks, Ismael Ortiz highlighted that Mexico is establishing itself as a key player in the new global trade order, noting that the country broke its foreign direct investment record for the second consecutive year in 2024, surpassing \$36.8 billion. “Mexico now trades \$2.3 million per minute. We are not spectators—we are protagonists of international trade,” he declared.

Nuevo León strengthens its export leadership

Emmanuel Loo shared the state government’s progress in promoting local suppliers and streamlining bureaucratic processes. He highlighted the launch of the Supply Hub platform, which has already funneled over $700 million in purchase orders, as well as a new digital window that has reduced environmental permitting times from 260 days to under 40.

“We are experiencing a second wave of nearshoring. Nuevo León is the best place to invest and do business,” Loo affirmed, while expressing gratitude for the strategic collaboration with organizations like COMCE.

Meanwhile, Andrés Franco, Director of COMCE Noreste, noted that over the past 30 years—since the signing of the North American Free Trade Agreement—Mexico’s trade balance has grown by 787%. However, he cautioned that sustaining this growth requires better logistics conditions, highway safety, and a stronger legal framework. “Only with modern infrastructure, efficient administrative processes, and a solid rule of law can we maintain this positive momentum,” he stated.

The forum, held on May 15 and 16 at the Club Industrial in Monterrey, features specialized conferences and panel discussions with high-level officials from the three USMCA countries. Key topics include supply chain security, the Mexico Customs Modernization Plan, and the integration of the automotive industry under USMCA regulations.

Amid the first 100 days of the new U.S. administration, the forum also offers strategic insights into the trilateral relationship and North America’s role as a leading economic bloc, accounting for nearly 30% of global GDP.

“Foreign trade also builds bridges for cooperation. At COMCE Noreste, we firmly believe in the value of regional collaboration to generate shared prosperity,” concluded the president.