Baja California at a Glance

With a population of approximately 3.5 million, an annual growth rate of 4.34 percent, and a GDP of US$15,148 million, Baja California is Mexico's leading producer of television and computer monitors, with an estimated production of 20 million in 2006.  It is divided into five municipalities: Tijuana with 46.94 percent of the population, Mexicali, the state’s capital with 32.95 percent, Ensenada with 14.91 percent, Tecate with 2.96 percent and Playas de Rosarito with 2.2 percent. 

Tijuana, where the border program takes place, is a hardworking industrial community with more than 40 years of experience in international production-sharing activities.  It has more maquiladora plants than any other city in the country, with 575, and more than 140,000 workers. Electronics account for 30 percent (directly or indirectly) of the maquiladoras in the city.  A large percentage of the maquiladoras are firms from Southeast Asia and the U.S.; among them Sony, Samsung, Sanyo, Panasonic and Sharp.  Other significant production sharing plants belong to the metal mechanic, automotive, medical and aerospace sectors.

The States of Baja California Sur with its agriculture and fisheries; Sonora with its highly developed production sharing industry in the sectors mentioned above and a strong and productive agriculture and fisheries sector are also potential markets for U. S. products and services.

Major Projects

More than manufacturing…

The dynamic manufacturing industry in the city creates areas of opportunity for other sectors.  The following is a short list of infrastructure/development projects taking place in the region:

•  Expansion of aqueduct to bring water from the Colorado River to Tijuana;
•  Three water treatment plants;
•  A wind farm in the Sierra de Juarez mountains;
•  A natural gas pipeline to supply the industrial sector of the state;
•  A inter-modal transportation terminal;
•  An International Airport in Ensenada
• Very  significant development of low-medium housing projects. This industry has grown over 300 percent in the last 10 years.

Market Research: Automotive Industry in the Northwest Region

With a population of about 105 million inhabitants, Mexico is the second largest market in Latin America, after Brazil, and one of the largest markets worldwide.

With a GDP per capita of $8.343 USD and average monthly wages of $581 USD, Mexico has a good position among emerging economies.  

The automotive industry is considered a strategic economic pillar in Mexico. The potential of the Mexican automotive industry is such that it represents the second most important sector of the country, for this reason there is great potential to supply the automotive manufacturing sector. The manufacturing sector represents 19% of the GDP.

BajaMak 2009: October 15, 2009 - Tijuana

 BajaMak is a regional trade show focused on promoting the maquiladora supply industry  based in Baja California, as well as products and services from specialized providers in order to increase the level of integration to meet the requirements of NAFTA for the industrial sector production process. It is divided into five specialized pavilions: aerospace, automotive, medical, metal-mechanical and electronics sectors, where leading industries can contribute their supply and service requirements. Each of the pavilions at BajaMak 2009 will host U. S. and Mexican industrial suppliers and service providers. There will also be a pavilion for outsourcing companies and software developers.

The U.S. Commercial Service in Tijuana will offer a U.S. Pavilion consisting of 20 booths. To enhance your exhibition experience, we will also offer Gold Key Programs (qualified matchmaking service) for an extra fee.  Monica Rosas, U.S. Commercial Service Tijuana

Border Development Program: November 19, 2009

This program offers participants “hands-on” exposure to the physical transportation and documentation process of cross-border trade. It enhances the participant’s knowledge of the economic and trade dynamics of the region and provides specific insight into how to export into this important business market. If you are seeking to launch or expand your export business south of the border, you will not want to miss this event. 

Please click here to read further details.

For questions, comments, suggestions, please contact:

The U.S. Foreign Commercial Service with offices in the American Consulate in Tijuana also services the States of Baja California Sur and Sonora.

Alejandro Delgado, Commercial Assistant

American Consulate General / U.S. Commercial Service:
Tapachula 96, Col. Hipodromo Tijuana, B.C. 22420,

Tel./Fax.  +52 (664) 622-7450 / +52 (664) 622-7419

U.S. Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 439039, San Diego, CA 92143