COSTEP and INDEX Nacional MOU Signing

In the framework of the 50th National INDEX Convention, held in Mexico City, the Council for South Texas Economic Progress (COSTEP) and INDEX Nacional signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that marks a new stage in economic cooperation between Mexico and the United States.

The agreement seeks to enhance competitiveness, attract investment, and foster industrial development along the Rio South Texas–Tamaulipas corridor, one of North America’s most dynamic manufacturing regions.

Building a stronger North American manufacturing region

The signing formalizes decades of cross-border collaboration between the maquiladora industry in northern Mexico and the economic development organizations of South Texas. Both institutions share a common vision: to promote sustainable industrial growth, technological innovation, and binational workforce development as drivers of regional prosperity.

During the ceremony, Adam Gonzalez, CEO of COSTEP, emphasized the historical bond uniting both sides of the border.

“Our region has grown shoulder to shoulder with INDEX — not just through trade, but through projects, shared families, and a shared commitment to progress,” he said. “This MOU represents our pledge to continue working together to attract investment, accelerate binational development, and strengthen the manufacturing ecosystem that sustains thousands of families on both sides of the border.”

Humberto Martínez, President of INDEX Nacional, highlighted that the agreement reinforces a long-term strategy for competitiveness.

“The future of our region will not be built in isolation, but through collaboration,” he noted. “This partnership with COSTEP ensures that our industry continues to expand, innovate, and generate opportunities in a global environment increasingly shaped by nearshoring.”

A partnership grounded in shared prosperity

The MOU establishes a framework for cooperation in key areas such as infrastructure development, supply-chain integration, energy, logistics, and talent formation. By aligning public and private sector initiatives, both organizations aim to create conditions that will attract new industrial projects and position the region as a benchmark for cross-border manufacturing efficiency.

As Mexico consolidates its position as the United States’ top trading partner, initiatives like this MOU demonstrate the shared commitment to building a more resilient, competitive, and interconnected North American economy.

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