Texas-Mexico Forum 2027 will boost business, investment, and binational industrial linkages

The industrial integration between South Texas and northern Tamaulipas seeks to advance towards a new stage of collaboration, with opportunities to develop manufacturing operations, strengthen supply chains, and attract investments on both sides of the border.

During the 51st National Convention of Index, Adam González, CEO of the Council for South Texas Economic Progress (COSTEP), highlighted that the organization works with Index Nacional and its delegations to promote a regional economic development strategy that takes advantage of the productive, logistical, and talent capabilities of both territories.

This collaboration began to strengthen after a visit by Index representatives to the Rio South Texas region in February 2026. Since then, both organizations have fostered approaches to identify business opportunities and facilitate the arrival of new companies.

Twin plants: an opportunity to integrate manufacturing on the border

One of the models that COSTEP seeks to promote is the so-called twin plants, through which companies can distribute their operations between Mexico and the United States, taking advantage of the competitive advantages on each side of the border.

González explained that northern Tamaulipas has capabilities to develop labor-intensive manufacturing processes, while South Texas can complement these operations with distribution activities, services, and other business functions. Among the sectors with opportunities to develop this scheme, he mentioned the automotive, aerospace, energy, and biomedical sectors.

The approach aims for companies to establish integrated operations in the region, take advantage of border infrastructure, and develop closer supply chains, without needing to rely on suppliers located outside of North America.

COSTEP facilitates the arrival of companies to South Texas

As part of its investment attraction strategy, COSTEP offers support to companies interested in establishing themselves in Rio South Texas. The organization can arrange tours of the region, meetings with economic development entities, institutional presentations, and approaches with real estate companies that have available land and industrial spaces.

It also facilitates linkages with higher education institutions on both sides of the border to develop education and training programs aligned with the talent needs of companies. This support seeks to simplify the process of establishing new operations and strengthen the availability of qualified personnel for industrial projects.

Investments in energy and aerospace generate opportunities for suppliers

The prospects for the region during 2027 are related to the arrival and development of large industrial and energy projects. González pointed out that investments linked to the liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry, SpaceX, and new refining projects are increasing business interest in South Texas.

This dynamism also opens opportunities for suppliers of components, industrial services, specialized manufacturing, and other activities related to the supply chains of these sectors.

Texas-Mexico Forum 2027: linkage between companies and suppliers

In this context, COSTEP is working on organizing a binational business meeting that will connect leading companies with regional suppliers and expand commercial opportunities between Texas and Mexico: the Texas-Mexico Forum, scheduled for May 12 and 13, 2027.

The meeting includes worktables (roundtables), a business exhibition, and B2B business meetings, with the participation of companies, business organizations, and suppliers from both countries.

The objective will be to facilitate direct contact between companies that require industrial components, products, and services, and those that have the capacity to supply them from the region. The initiative seeks to increase intraregional trade and generate opportunities for companies to find suppliers closer to their operations.

González invited interested companies to reach out to COSTEP and Mexico Industry to learn about options for participation, exhibition, and commercial linkages. The collaboration between South Texas and northern Tamaulipas thus aims to consolidate a binational industrial ecosystem, in which the attraction of investments is accompanied by the development of suppliers, talent, and new commercial relations.