Aguascalientes in Ottawa: Exploring New Opportunities for Integration

By Levy Barragán

As Mexico and Canada continue to deepen their economic relationship, and with the review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) underway, Mexico’s Bajío region remains active in showcasing the productive capacity of its businesses and producers.

The effort is moving along two parallel tracks: attracting Canadian investment to the region in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, automotive and auto parts, agribusiness, and information technology; and supporting companies that want to export their products or have the capacity to become part of Canadian value chains.

With this objective, Aguascalientes Governor Tere Jiménez, accompanied by Esaú Garza de Vega, Secretary of Economic Development, Science and Technology, and Jorge Eduardo Ponce, Secretary of Rural and Agribusiness Development, traveled to Montreal and Ottawa to explore opportunities that could unlock the potential these cities offer Aguascalientes in areas including tourism, academic mobility, technology, and access to new markets.

In Ottawa, the delegation met with Mexico’s Ambassador to Canada, Carlos Joaquín González. During the meeting, a group of Aguascalientes business leaders presented products and services spanning textiles, food, tourism, and professional services.

Also in attendance were Mayela Roque Salinas, president of the Aguascalientes chapter of the Mexican Association of Businesswomen (AMEXME), and Maricela Acosta Herrera, president of the Board of Directors of the National Chamber of Commerce, Services and Tourism (CANACO SERVYTUR) in Aguascalientes.

The meeting also brought together a group of independent women professionals based in Montreal who specialize in areas including communications and strategic partnerships, certified translation services, business coaching, soft landing, and business development.

They are part of the Aguascalientes–Montréal Business Bridge, a binational platform designed to connect businesses and develop opportunities between Aguascalientes and Montréal. The initiative seeks to build an ecosystem connecting companies, markets, investment, talent, and culture.

Its role is to identify opportunities, prepare participants, facilitate connections, provide support, and follow up with companies, institutions, and organizations seeking to establish commercial, business, institutional, cultural, or investment relationships between Mexico and Canada.

“Being able to connect business leaders from Aguascalientes with Ottawa and Montreal is an opportunity we should not let pass us by. Through Wominside, we presented Governor Tere Jiménez with a proposal in which a multidisciplinary team of specialists would facilitate strategic connections, enabling producers and business leaders from Aguascalientes to bring their products and services into the Canadian market,” said Rachel Gold, founder and CEO of the Wominside platform.

About Aguascalientes
According to the 2026 Regional Competitiveness Index published by IMCO, the Bajío region records the highest number of patent applications in Mexico. Aguascalientes ranks among the country’s ten most competitive states and is fourth nationally in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
Data published by Mexico’s Ministry of Economy show that the state attracted US$520.2 million in FDI during the first half of the year, representing annual growth of more than 30%.

In terms of exports, Aguascalientes ranks fifth nationally, with foreign sales equivalent to 60.1% of the state’s GDP. According to Mexico’s National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), the state exported more than US$3.2 billion during the same period.

The state government has identified eight strategic sectors: aerospace; agribusiness; automotive and auto parts; electronic components; information technology; suppliers and logistics; research, development and innovation (R&D&I); and specialized health services.

The state has also promoted internationalization initiatives, including bilateral agendas with Canada focused on investment, global value chains, and supplier development, among other areas.

Photographs : Embassy of Mexico in Canada