Invest Monterrey hosted Panorama 2026, a high-level forum that brought together more than 120 attendees, including state and municipal authorities, economic organizations, private sector leaders, academia, and international stakeholders. Held at the Expedition Building of Tecnológico de Monterrey, the event consolidated itself as a strategic platform for economic analysis, dialogue, and forward-looking decision-making for Monterrey and Mexico.
 

The forum focused on assessing the key challenges and opportunities that will shape the region’s economic trajectory in the coming years, within a global context marked by geopolitical shifts, evolving trade policies, and accelerating innovation trends.
 

A Forward-Looking Vision for 2026

 

During the opening session, Héctor Tijerina, Executive Director of Invest Monterrey, welcomed participants and thanked strategic partners and public officials for their engagement. He highlighted the participation of representatives from FIFA, the Monterrey Ministry of Economy—led by Secretary Betsabé Rocha—and various business and economic organizations.
 

While acknowledging that 2025 was a positive year for the region, Tijerina emphasized that Panorama 2026 was designed to look ahead to a decisive year shaped by geopolitical dynamics, trade policy adjustments, and innovation-driven opportunities that position Monterrey for continued growth.
 

 

Optimism for Investment and Economic Strength in Monterrey

 

Secretary of Economy Betsabé Rocha underscored Monterrey’s position as one of Mexico’s most competitive destinations for investment attraction, supported by its strong industrial ecosystem, specialized talent, and capacity to generate high-value employment.
 

She noted that despite a challenging tariff environment in 2025, the outlook for 2026 is increasingly favorable—particularly given the potential to attract a greater volume of visitors and strategic projects across both business and tourism sectors. Rocha also emphasized the importance of cross-sector coordination and highlighted the significant economic returns of sports tourism, with investment returns reaching up to four times the initial outlay.
 

Global Economic Perspectives and Nearshoring Trends

 

A central highlight of the forum was the keynote address by Dr. Ernesto Stein, internationally recognized economist, former representative of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in Mexico, and academic at Tecnológico de Monterrey. His presentation, “Perspectives for Mexico in Times of Turbulent Trade Policy,” analyzed the evolving global and regional economic landscape.
 

Dr. Stein explained that despite periods of heightened uncertainty stemming from U.S. trade policy and reciprocal tariffs, global growth expectations have stabilized at approximately 3.3%, with improvements across both advanced and emerging economies. For Mexico, he highlighted moderate but resilient growth, supported primarily by strong net exports that have helped avert recessionary pressures.
 

He also addressed the evolution of nearshoring, noting that Mexico has gained market share in U.S. imports relative to China, driven by geographic proximity, the USMCA framework, and increasing production sophistication. Under the current trade environment, he suggested that nearshoring could enter a more robust and inclusive phase—integrating local suppliers, particularly SMEs, into global value chains.
 

 

FIFA World Cup 2026: A Catalyst for Development

 

With the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026, Monterrey played a prominent role in the forum’s agenda. Julio Valdés, International Relations representative of the FIFA Organizing Committee, shared updates on logistics and planning, emphasizing that the city aims not only to maximize economic impact but also to generate a lasting social, urban, and international positioning legacy.
 

He announced major initiatives such as the FIFA Fan Festival and complementary events designed to enhance the visitor experience and strengthen Monterrey’s reputation as a global host city for world-class events.
 

Infrastructure and Long-Term Legacy

 

Bernardo Bichara, Chairman of Parque Fundidora and government liaison to FIFA, highlighted the World Cup as a historic opportunity for Monterrey to accelerate long-needed infrastructure projects. He stressed the importance of long-term strategic planning, public-private coordination, and continuity beyond the event to ensure sustainable development and a lasting legacy for the state.
 

 

Invest Monterrey’s Commitment to Regional Competitiveness

 

Through Panorama 2026, Invest Monterrey reaffirmed its commitment to fostering strategic dialogue, strengthening informed decision-making, and promoting investment attraction. The forum reinforced Monterrey’s position as a leading industrial and economic hub with global relevance, prepared to navigate uncertainty and capitalize on emerging opportunities.
 

 

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