Laredo and Nuevo Laredo: Strategic Partners in the Rio South Texas Region Autocluster

At Texas A&M International University in Laredo, Texas, business leaders, academics, and institutional representatives from both Laredo and Nuevo Laredo gathered to advance the Rio South Texas Region Binational Autocluster. The initiative, led by COSTEP (Council for South Texas Economic Progress), aims to position the region as a world-class automotive hub through binational collaboration and strategic promotion at national and international levels.

Technology as a Regional Development Tool

During the presentation, Adam Gonzalez, CEO of COSTEP, introduced the Rio South Texas Region Industrial DataSystem, a digital platform designed to consolidate a clear and reliable overview of the local and regional manufacturing ecosystem. This system will organize and present information by city, subregion, and across the entire binational region.

The tool is intended to provide investors with trustworthy data on industrial capabilities, enhancing the region’s attractiveness for high-value projects. Gonzalez emphasized that success will depend on the active participation of all sectors—business, academia, and government—working together toward a long-term vision.

“This cluster represents a unique opportunity to build a binational model of development based on collaboration, talent, and strategic foresight,” he explained.

Institutional and Business Representation

The presentation gathered a broad range of participants representing chambers of commerce, business associations, industrial companies, academic institutions, and economic development organizations from both sides of the border. Attendees included Erika Talamas, President of COPARMEX Nuevo Laredo; Enrique Morán, President of INDEX Nuevo Laredo; Miguel Ángel Vázquez, President of CANACINTRA, Nuevo Laredo Delegation; Agustín Durán, President of CANACO Nuevo Laredo; Gilberto Sánchez of the Laredo International Airport; Andrés de Jesús Madrigal of the Mexican Chamber of the Construction Industry; Javier Herrera, Director of INDEX Nuevo Laredo; Eduardo Quintanilla, Vice President of INDEX Nuevo Laredo; Juan Elyd, Secretary of INDEX Nuevo Laredo; Juan Manuel Castañeda, Foreign Trade Manager at INDEX Nuevo Laredo; Ariana Garza López, Industrial Relations; and Jorge Viñals from Región de los Dos Laredos. 

Also present were Guillermo Fernández de Jáuregui, CEO of ONILOG; Miriam Castillo and Rey Reyes from the City of Laredo Economic Development Department; Octavio Almanza, Public Relations at Chromalox; Raúl Trad, entrepreneur; Refugio Rodríguez from the Association of Customs Brokers; Cynthia Camargo, Public Relations at ONILOG. 

Elsa Hinojosa, Director of the Laredo Bridge System; Martín Cruz Areyano from Universidad Tecnológica de Nuevo Laredo; Gabriel Lozano of Laredo College; José Refugio Rodríguez of the Association of Customs Brokers; Juan José García Rodríguez of ALFA; Juan Oropeza Ávila of Consultores Profesionales de Nuevo Laredo, S.C.; Daniel Covarrubias, Director of the A.R. Sánchez School of Business at TAMIU; Diana Ortiz, Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Laredo College; Federico Schaffler, FTZ Administrator; and Luis Pérez-Batres, Dean of the A.R. Sánchez School of Business at TAMIU.

Strengthening the Binational Ecosystem

This meeting marks a decisive step toward consolidating the region as a dynamic and interconnected industrial hub. By leveraging technology, talent, and cross-border collaboration, Laredo and Nuevo Laredo are positioning themselves as strategic partners in the development of the Rio South Texas Region Autocluster—an initiative designed to strengthen competitiveness and attract global automotive investment.