He explained that, although for now the issue of nearshoring is managed with projections, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) calculates that Mexico’s exports will grow by 35 billion dollars, of which 30 could be in the next year, but this infrastructure does not support these volumes of merchandise transport .
“Infrastructure takes years and we have to think about whether we are prepared for it,” refuted the academic, recalling that, of the 300 billion dollars of bilateral trade with the United States, 40% is carried out through the international crossing of Laredo, the same that has the potential to grow by 12 trillion dollars with the nearshoring and whose infrastructure is not sufficient. There are 16,000 daily import and export trucks passing through.
“In infrastructure, investments generate economic development and jobs. The modernization of the existing one can reduce costs and times, you have to be efficient with what you have, but robust logistics infrastructure is required and we do not have it, this results in higher operating costs. You have to invest to be more competitive, ”she emphasized.
Covarrubias assured that “smart borders” should also be implemented as a key to more resilient trade. “There is an opportunity to use (customs) technology to make crossings more efficient, the infrastructure takes time, but smart borders are with the use of data and technology to facilitate the movement of people and goods, guaranteeing security, but that includes electronic customs systems. “, He said.
However, he assured that there is a “huge digital wall” between Mexico and the United States, because although the two countries work on technological advances, “they do not talk to each other and it is useless to collect and analyze data if both systems don’t speak”.
The academic added that there should be development of education programs to create a competitive labor force, job creation in specialized areas with growth opportunities, although technology skills are in demand and “we have to see if the new generations are coming out with that, technology and logistics processes and transportation, training programs are lacking”.
