Tijuana, Mexico — August 13, 2026. — The Tijuana chapter of the National Chamber of the Transformation Industry (CANACINTRA Tijuana) and the California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to develop a California–Baja California Binational Industrial Strategy, aimed at strengthening regional supply chains and positioning the Cali-Baja region as one of North America’s most competitive manufacturing hubs.
The initiative establishes a framework for collaboration between the manufacturing sectors of California and Baja California to identify opportunities, develop joint projects, and coordinate efforts in strategic areas including advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, life sciences, aerospace, energy, innovation, infrastructure, and specialized workforce development.
During a MOU event, Alonso Ibarra, President of CANACINTRA Tijuana, emphasized that the agreement represents an important step toward building a common agenda with California’s manufacturing sector and leveraging the complementary strengths of both economies.
“We believe that working towards a binational regional strategy will allow us to become the most competitive region in North America. In times of national and international uncertainty, if we cooperate on developing opportunities to create jobs on both sides of the border.”
As part of the agreement, both organizations will work to establish a shared vision focused on strengthening regional supply chains, advancing advanced manufacturing, developing specialized talent, promoting innovation, improving infrastructure, and attracting new investment.
The strategy will also establish a governance framework with specific goals, targets, and performance indicators, allowing the partners to track progress and measure results in investment, productivity, innovation, and job creation.
Mario C. Lopez, from CANACINTRA, explained that the initiative will provide a structured framework to coordinate efforts on both sides of the border and develop specific initiatives in key strategic industries.
“The economies of California and Baja California face increasingly complex challenges, and the best response is to work in a coordinated manner. This strategy will allow us to establish common objectives, develop joint projects, and measure results in investment, productivity, innovation, and job creation.”
Towards a More Integrated Industrial Region
Lance Hastings, President of the California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA), highlighted the importance of manufacturing as an economic engine for both regions and welcomed the beginning of this new collaboration with CANACINTRA Tijuana.
“We are very proud to begin this joint effort with CANACINTRA Tijuana. We represent more than 400 manufacturing companies in California, and we want to build an agenda that helps maintain and grow jobs and opportunities on both sides of the border.”
As part of the working session, representatives from CANACINTRA, CMTA, and their partners toured the facilities of Hunter Industries in Tijuana, a California-based company that has operated in Tijuana for more than 20 years and manufactures gardening products and water-distribution systems.
The visit provided an opportunity to see firsthand an example of the deep manufacturing integration that already exists between California and Baja California. The MOU was subsequently signed at the company’s facilities.
Assemblyman David Alvarez, Chair of the Select Committee on Binational California-Mexico Affairs was in attendance and emphasized that the binational strategy represents an opportunity to bring greater structure and a long-term vision to the industrial relationship that California and Baja California have built over decades.
“We have an opportunity to demonstrate that our border does not simply connect two countries—it connects talent, innovation, technology, and opportunities to make the California-Baja region one of the most competitive in the world.”
Alvarez mentioned that he has been working with academic institutions and the private sector to make sure that the next generation of cross border workforce has access to the right education through different initiative such as the Chula Vista University District and promoting four year degree programs at the Community College level.
Building the Future of Cali-Baja
The California–Baja California Binational Industrial Strategy recognizes that the two economies already operate as part of an increasingly integrated production platform, supported by deeply connected supply chains and a significant number of companies operating across the border.
The next step is to provide greater structure and strategic direction to that integration, identifying opportunities to increase regional competitiveness, strengthen local suppliers, develop technological capabilities, attract new investment, and create higher-value employment opportunities.
With this agreement, CANACINTRA Tijuana and CMTA are laying the foundation for a long-term binational industrial agenda designed to transform the existing economic integration between California and Baja California into an even greater competitive advantage for companies, workers, and communities on both sides of the border.
