By Octavio de la Torre
President of Concanaco Servytur
Mexico is a huge, diverse country full of opportunities. Its territory is so large that we could fit several European countries within it, and still have room to spare.
Decentralization is not only a development strategy, it is a necessity. Distributing investment, talent and opportunities throughout Mexico would not only strengthen our economy, but also improve the quality of life in every corner of the country. This is where several key factors come into play: the development of human capital, the investment portfolio by state, the productive vocation of each entity and the opportunities offered by programs such as welfare scholarships to train new generations.
Human capital: the key to growth
Mexico is not only a land of natural wealth, but also of talent. Our people are creative, hardworking and eager to get ahead; however, access to quality education and development opportunities is often concentrated in a few cities.
If we really want to decentralize growth, it is essential to invest in the education and training of people in each state. The key is to prepare people according to the needs of their region.
It makes no sense to train mechatronics engineers in a state with agricultural potential if there is no industry to absorb them. But it is strategic to train experts in agribusiness, irrigation technologies or biotechnology to enhance what they already have.
They can be the lever for thousands of young people to access training in areas that really boost the economy of their state. But preparation is not enough; these young people must be linked to job opportunities in their own territory.
Each state has a different potential, some are strong in manufacturing, others in tourism, others in services, commerce, agribusiness or renewable energies; however, investment flows mainly to the same areas.
If we really want a balanced development, we need to diversify our investment portfolio. We cannot think of a single growth model for the whole country. Each state must develop its own strategy based on its strengths and take full advantage of them.
But for these opportunities to materialize, a combination of smart public policies, specialized education and investment attraction is needed.
The vocation of each state to enhance what we already are
Each state has its own identity, culture and economic vocation. If we want real growth, we must respect and strengthen these vocations instead of forcing foreign models.
If we look at the past, each region of Mexico already had well-defined economic activities before industrialization. The Mayans were traders and experts in water management; the Zapotecs dominated mountain agriculture; the Bajío was always fertile and productive land; the north developed its livestock and commercial vocation thanks to its proximity to the United States.
The challenge now is to update these vocations with technology and new business models. What if we combine Oaxaca’s textile tradition with innovation in design and digital commerce? Or if we merge Sinaloa’s fishing wealth with biotechnology and sustainability? The key is to understand that each state has something valuable to offer, and that decentralization means strengthening what we already are rather than trying to replicate foreign models.
Taking advantage of the Welfare Scholarships to develop talent
The government bet heavily on education through the Welfare Scholarships. Although they have been criticized by some sectors, the reality is that they represent a unique opportunity to transform the country, as long as they are used strategically.
The great challenge is that these scholarships not only serve for young people to study, but also become a tool for regional development. To this end, it is essential that educational programs are aligned with the vocation of each state and with real employment opportunities.
Let’s imagine a model where universities and technology centers work hand in hand with local companies to train talent according to their needs. If a state has an automotive vocation, let there be scholarships to train engineers in advanced manufacturing. If another has tourism potential, let there be training in hospitality, gastronomy and cultural experiences.
Welfare Scholarships can be the key to decentralize talent and avoid the brain drain to big cities. But to achieve this, a well-thought-out strategy that connects education with employment is needed.
Mexico: a country of many countries
If we compare, Mexico is larger than Germany, France and Spain combined. If we look at it by states, each one of them has the size and population of a European country, so why do we still see the country as if there were only a few cities?
Decentralization is not only an economic issue, it is a matter of justice and vision for the future. Mexico has the potential to be a global power if we take advantage of all its territory, all its talent and all its diversity.
It is time to stop concentrating investment and development in a few poles and start seeing each state as an engine of growth. The key is to train people, attract investment with intelligence, respect the vocation of each state and make the most of the tools available, such as welfare scholarships.
The future of Mexico is not in a single city. It is in each of its states, in each of its communities and in each person who dreams of a better tomorrow. Now it is a matter of making the right decisions to make it a reality.
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