Mexico Infrastructure Market Trends, Statistics, Growth, and Forecasts

Mexico needs to expand its existing ports and, in some cases, even build new ones, as some have become landlocked in urban areas that were developed after the ports were built. The expansion of such ports is impossible, necessitating the building of new ones. As Mexico welcomes more international passengers ever and boasts an increasing number of domestic air travellers, it needs more, larger, and better airports too. Mexico, therefore, has a substantial project backlog over the short- to mid-term, which bodes well for the growth of its infrastructure sector and the economy in general, given that good infrastructure is essential for successful business activities. Mexico transports the majority of its road passengers and cargo on the national highway network, which represents a minuscule share of all roads in the country. There is therefore substantial demand for new roads, as well as fore-surfacing existing roads.

The government has adopted measures to attract more FDI into the country in order to boost tourism, both in terms of domestic travellers and large-scale international events. This has also created a higher demand for airports and airport infrastructure. The needs of Mexico’s foreign trade have put a strain on existing ports in the country, necessitating the construction of new ones. A large number of infrastructure projects in Mexico are PPPs projects with smaller companies often working side by side with larger ones. On the other hand, small-sized companies are not equipped to manage large-scale projects, which means that the sheer size of Mexico’s typical infrastructure project (alongside other factors such as access to financing) are conducive to sector consolidation.

The government’s focus on developing infrastructure as a backbone sector for economic growth means that administrative, sector-specific challenges are being addressed, which is expected to create a more efficient business environment conducive to the growth of the infrastructure sector as well. Restraining forces for the infrastructure sector tend to be segment specific. For example, Mexico’s power generation is dominated by coal, and supplies of domestic coal are often problematic. Natural gas power generation is dependent on natural gas imports, and port and airport expansions hinge on timely land clearances.

Road building and construction in general, on the other hand, often affect wildlife areas and involve the displacement of indigenous peoples, which increases the administrative approvals that projects need to obtain before they can begin. Unexplained delays in administrative approvals and clearances often result in project delays, as do lengthy court dispute settlements between companies. In Mexico, government agencies tend to function independently and do not have to coordinate with project authorities to facilitate approval procedures. Growing competition in all infrastructure segments and competitive bidding for government projects is affecting the profit margins of companies. In construction, inputs account for nearly half of construction costs, and the prices of construction raw materials are volatile. This exposes companies to substantial commodities and FX market risks too.

The increasingly affluent and urban middle class are increasing in Mexico. Over the past decade, this has put great strain on existing roads, railroads, ports and airports in the country, both in terms of passenger and freight movement. To address this, the government has adopted numerous programmes, policies and initiatives aimed at bridging Mexico's infrastructure gap, helping bring the infrastructure in less economically advanced States up to par with their better-off counterparts.