Querétaro

Despite accounting for just 1.7% of Mexico’s population and 2% of the economy, Querétaro is, in many ways, a picture of the country Mexico wants to become. Home to more than a dozen universities that work closely with local industry to produce a qualified workforce, Querétaro also stands out in terms of security and links to population and transport centres. The state government aggressively courts foreign direct investment (FDI), securing $500m-$700m annually in recent years. Querétaro’s economy is estimated to have grown 4.5% in 2013. Manufacturing accounted for 27% of the state’s economy in 2012 and more than half of FDI between 2010 and the third quarter of 2013. Of the manufacturing total, the automotive sector represented 33%, as well as 9% of state GDP. Querétaro is a state to watch as an economy in its own right and as an example of the path Mexico may follow. This chapter includes an interview with José Calzada Rovirosa, Governor of Querétaro.