The Mexican state of
Queretaro boasts a long history of leading the way. It’s here that you find the dawn of Mexican independence, where citizens, disguised as members of a literary gathering, first plotted to take up arms and demand freedom. Then, at the culmination of this Mexican Revolution, Queretaro was honored as “the place where Mexico was born” after the 1917 constitution for the new free Mexican nation was signed on its land.
Now it is again leading the country into a brighter future. This time it’s not about forming a new state, but rather forging economic growth and innovation as one of the most successful business capitals in all of Mexico.
“Mexico is a country that is facing great challenges, and we the Mexicans have to turn these into opportunities,” says Queretaro Governor Jose Eduardo Calzada Rovirosa, who explains that his state, of idyllic mountain ranges and colonial Spanish architecture, has long been a role model for the future of the country. “Queretaro has always been a vanguard reference, because we are the birthplace of the voices that are willing to challenge the present to improve the future.”
Geographically, Queretaro lies in an advantaged central point of inland Mexico, connecting smoothly the northeastern, western and central Mexican highways, including Federal Highway 57, also known as the Pan American Highway, which extends from the capital, Mexico City, through the state of Queretaro and into Laredo, Texas.
The capital of the state, Santiago de Queretaro, was named a World Heritage Site in 1996 for maintaining the original 17th century city plan and baroque architecture developed by the Spanish colonist. It is one of the principal tourist attractions alongside the mystic Pueblo Magico of Bernal and the Sierra Gorda, a famed biosphere reserve.
Its centrality and unique sites make Queretaro the main inland tourist destination in Mexico, attracting almost 2 million visitors in 2009, about 8% of those from the United States and Canada.
| “QUERETARO HAS ALWAYS BEEN A VANGUARD REFERENCE, BECAUSE WE ARE THE BIRTHPLACE OF THE VOICES THAT ARE WILLING TO CHALLENGE THE PRESENT TO IMPROVE THE FUTURE” |
But this location also logistically makes Queretaro a premier location for national and foreign investment and innovation, especially because of proximity to Mexico City and its accessibility throughout the country. In fact, many large multinational companies have already installed their businesses among Queretaro’s large automotive, service, tourism and agricultural sectors. The burgeoning development of industries is making this Mexican state a prime source for innovation.
Renowned companies such as Kellogg’s and the Canadian-founded Bombardier, a leading transportation manufacturer, have settled in Queretaro in part because of its dynamic and healthy economic conditions: a GDP which has exceeded the national average for years and one of the highest rates in the country of employment growth at 10.4%.
Queretaro also has one of the most stable work environments in Mexico. It has not had a workers’ strike in over 10 years and has an abundant supply of skilled workers paired with a high quality of life.
Mr. Calzada points to low inflation, a currency favorable to exportation, and competitive interests rates as stabilizing factors in his state’s economy. But he also highlights a fundamental change: “We have gone from being a country that imports raw materials, manufacturing them to export, to a country that attracts industry and technology.”
The governor understands the importance of investing in infrastructure development to foster stable growth. He allocates 21% of the state budget towards the region’s infrastructure. The state is already equipped with a state-of-the-art international airport, convenient train routes and 15 industrial parks. The local government assures that investors can count on state and federal support, especially in the developing industries such as aeronautics.
Beyond physical infrastructure, the governor explains that training its workforce is a key step to providing skilled workers for business, done so by developing an increasingly close relationship between its companies and international schools as well as creating an environment conducive to business.
“We are opening the doors of the government, carrying out industrial deregulation to facilitate opening new companies and generating a climate of stability,” assures Mr. Calzada.
His administration’s efforts have led to an influx of foreign investment and a process of diversification. The state hopes to further develop the aeronautic industry, which has played an increasingly fundamental role in the economy the past 10 years. There’s an effort to create a pharmaceutical cluster and propel agricultural production through the use of greenhouse technology in addition to the already strong sectors.
The governor hopes that once people become aware of his state that they will begin to investigate and look into the competitive advantages for themselves and to see the success stories of the companies that have established themselves there. He wants people to believe in Mexico and what it is economically capable of.
But he maintains that it is the locals themselves that keep Queretaro strong and are the people who will continue to support and promote anyone who comes there, because they are committed to constantly moving the country forward and making it better.
“The history of the success of Queretaro has been created by its people,” he explains. “A hundred years after the Revolution, we try to remember that the true strength of the Queretanos is within us.”
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