Sergio Salomón Céspedes (Tepeaca, 1969) is closing a quick business tour through Germany and Spain in search of investors. The governor of Puebla is returning to Mexico with a handful of agreements in his suitcase. Among them, $1.7 billion in investments from Volkswagen and Audi, which will build their new electric cars in the region. “Our strategic position is extraordinary,” he boasts in the interview with elEconomista.es during his visit to Madrid, where the delegation met with more than 80 businessmen, including the president of the Santander Group, as well as the newly elected mayor of Puebla, Pépé Chedraui.
What was the aim of this tour in Germany and Spain?
In Germany I had the opportunity to meet with the new governor, and the intention was to recognize him, thank him and strengthen ties with Volkswagen and Audi. The two foreign companies that generate the most jobs in the state of Puebla. An agreement of around 1.7 billion dollars was signed for this year, with investments in which Volkswagen will move from self-combustion to electromobility and Audi will build a new electric car in Puebla. For us it was very important to build this relationship, to offer this certainty and of course to build bridges for more investments to arrive.
The automotive industry is one of your priorities. Are you considering establishing relations with China, one of the powers of electrification?
There have been relationships. We need important relationships in which the guarantee is bilateral. We need these investments to generate well-being, employment and, logically, to generate profits for all investors.
I understand that the arrival of investments in the automotive sector is one of the axes of the plan to revive the Mexican economy.
Yeah. We have an incredible geographical position, we are the gateway to the north of the American continent, but also to the southeast center. Puebla has a very important importance in this regard, with access to the largest market in the country, Mexico City, and of course the logistics bridge to the north.
What differentiates Puebla from other Mexican regions as a pole of attraction for investments?
Education is an area in which we have invested a lot. We are the third state with the largest offer of higher education in the country. This means that we have a qualified workforce, where the clusters focus on engineering, which will allow us to form great alliances with companies thanks to the development of technology. In addition, we have a very important industrial background, with manufacturers and investors, but also with a qualified workforce that knows how to work with entrepreneurs. The textile vocation has been very strong, now comes the automobile industry with Volkswagen, established there for more than 55 years. And Audi is also arriving. Germany and Spain continue to invest massively in Puebla. There are very important conditions.
Here in Spain, what sector are you targeting?
There are different ones. Tourism, beauty, banking services… We met with the president of the Santander group and agreements were reached. We have an excellent relationship, there are many things that identify us, that make things easier for us, such as the language. We see many Mexicans investing in Spain.
You have just met with Spanish businessmen, you have met with the president of the Santander group, can you tell us about the agreements you have signed?
There are files that are progressing, but I want to be careful. Yes, I can tell you that things will go well. To heal relationships, discretion is important.
A new stage now opens for Puebla and Mexico: where do you want to direct the country’s economic strategy?
There is a great vision on the part of Dr. Claudia Sheinbaum (President of Mexico), she has a great commitment, she is a specialist in the environment and sustainability. Her goal is to generate better conditions to combat inequality, promote women and allow great development. Her scientific training, her method, will give a decisive boost. She was head of government of Mexico City. It is a perfect mix that will bring very good things to Mexico and Puebla.
You are accompanied by the newly elected mayor of Puebla, Pepe Chedraui. What challenges do you propose for your next term?
We want to attract a lot of tourism and return to the levels before, and Spain is one of the experts. It receives more than 70 million visitors and Puebla is going to do everything possible to generate this type of tourism. We are exploring the investment part, but also exposing Puebla as a destination for your business or corporate travel. We have a lot to offer. The president of Mexico, the governor and the mayor, we are working in the same direction. We want Puebla to be one of the most important capitals in the country.
I understand that this alignment of the three administrations allows them to offer great legal security…
Exactly. We want to show Spain that the three levels of government are working to satisfy all their needs. We come to propose ourselves as a team.
How are contacts with Spanish businessmen going?
We met with the president of Grupo Santander, it was a very important meeting. We want to attract investors who come and want to stay. Something that has already happened in the past.
