Mexico’s Border Region is a powerhouse industry and accounts for 34 percent of the country’s territory, almost 16 percent of its population (17 million) and 18 percent of its GDP.

      According to the Mexico government, the area receives approximately 20 percent of the total foreign investment in Mexico, which is mostly directed to the export manufacturing industry, also known as maquiladora industry. This industry includes about 2,285 plants and represents nearly 76 percent of all plants in Mexico. The majority of the plants manufacture electronics, automobiles and spare parts, and medical products. The largest concentration of manufacturing plants is in the states of Baja California, Sonora, Tamaulipas and Chihuahua. These states together have more than 250 plants involved in electronics and plastic manufacturing.

      Plastics manufacturing is significant due to the fact that over 40 percent of the components used in the manufacturing of these plants (electronics, automotive and medical) is made from plastic.

      In 2005 (latest figures available), imports under Harmonized Tariff System (HTS) Chapter 84 to Mexico’s Border Region were estimated to exceed $8.432 billion and imports under classification 84.77, which is essentially plastic injection molding machinery and equipment for...

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