EDC NEWS
Board of Directors
Eng. Mario A. Peregrina President
Lic. Keiko Nishikawa Vice president
Lic. Gustavo Javier Morachis Vargas Secretary
Lic. Jesús Margarita Elizabeth Ruíz Sandez Treasurer
EDC Operational Team
Lic. Kennya Vargas Executive Director kennya@ensenadaedc org
INFORMATIONAL GAZETTE
AUGUST 2025 EDITION
Address:CarreteraEnsenadaTijuana,3917, PedregalPlayitas,22860,Ensenada,Baja CaliforniaI6461619531
www.ensenadaedc.org
Dearreaders:
At Ensenada EDC, we continue working with a clear objective: to boost the economic development of our regionthroughstrategiccollaborationwithcompanies, research institutions, business organizations, and internationalpartners.
During the month of August, we conducted important retention visits with companies that are part of Ensenada's industrial and technological ecosystem, reaffirming our commitment to their growth and continued presence in the city. We also hosted international delegations who, with work agendas and key visits, strengthened cooperative ties in sectors suchasmanufacturing,science,logistics,andtourism.
We also participate in forums and meetings with business and academic leaders, where we share perspectives on investment opportunities and Ensenada's potential as a competitive destination withinthebinationalregion.Theseeventsdemonstrate ourcommunity'sdynamismandabilitytoprojectitself globally
Witheachoftheseactions,weconsolidateacommon vision: an innovative Ensenada, open to the world, and with a solid economic ecosystem that generates opportunitiesforall
Sincerely,
Kennya Vargas M Executive Director
FENDER COMPANY VISITS
FENDER
On July 23rd, we visited the Fender plant in Ensenada, a key global operation. We learned about its manufacturing model, operating structure,andinternationalreach.Since 1987, Fender has established itself as a leader in the manufacture of highqualitymusicalinstruments,integrating specialized processes and advanced technology. Mario A. Peregrina, Kennya Vargas Maldonado, and Ushuaia Zepeda attended on behalf of EnsenadaEDC.
ICUMEDICAL
On August 7th, we visited ICU Medical in collaboration with the Ministry of EconomyandInnovation,reaffirmingour commitment to key companies in the region and recognizing their impact on local development. ICU Medical, which specializes in the manufacture of medical supplies and intravenous therapy technology, has been established in Ensenada since 1998, becomingapioneerinthecity'smedical industry. Kennya Vargas, director of the organization, attended the event on behalfofEnsenadaEDC.
UNIVERSITIES AND RESEARCH CENTERS
ENSENADACENTERFORSCIENTIFICRESEARCHANDHIGHER EDUCATION(CICESE)
On August 6, together with the Baja California Secretariat of Economy and Innovation, we visited the Ensenada Center for Scientific Research and Higher Education (CICESE). During the meeting, the most relevant projects from each department were presented, reaffirming the importance of research and innovation as key drivers of economic development in the region. We thank the CICESE team for their hospitality and for sharing their valuable work. Kennya Vargas, Executive Director, attended the event,representingEnsenadaEDC.
INTERNATIONAL VISITS
EMBASSYOFCANADAINMEXICO
We had the honor of hosting Luis Ernesto González, representative of the Canadian Embassy in Mexico, for a two-day strategic agenda focused on promoting opportunities for economic and technologicalcollaboration.
We begin with an overview of Ensenada, followed by a presentation of the Canadian Embassy's acceleration program, accompaniedbyrepresentativecompanies, business organizations, and local research centers.
The agenda continued with a tour of the Hutchison Ports EIT container terminal, a reflection of the logistical dynamism of the PortofEnsenada.
Weconcludedthefirstdaywithavisittothe Wine Museum and a tasting at Bodegas de Santo Tomás, where we shared the region's historyandwinetourismpotential.
On the second day, we visited the Navico Group Ensenada facilities, a key player in Ensenada's industrial ecosystem, recognized for its technological innovation andglobalcapabilities.
Representing Ensenada EDC were Mario A. Peregrina, president; Kennya Vargas Maldonado, director; and Ushuaia Zepeda, investmentpromoter.
INTERNATIONAL VISITS
VISITFROMTHEMAYOROFRIVERSIDE
On August 13 and 14, we had the honor of welcoming Riverside Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson, accompanied by Anna Lee, to Ensenada to carry out an agenda focused on strengthening the ties of collaboration betweenbothcities.
The day began with a visit to the Ensenada Center for Scientific Research and Higher Education (CICESE), where the various academicandscientificdivisionsthatmake up this important research center were presented.
Aspartofthetour,theConservationBiology Laboratory and its entomology collection were visited, which houses key specimens forscientificdisseminationandresearch.
Afterwards, a tour of Bodegas de Santo Tomás took place, where visitors learned about the history and cultural heritage of this iconic winery, visited its museum, and enjoyedawinetasting.
In that same space, we held a working meeting in which we presented an overview of Ensenada, highlighting the economic sectors we share with Riverside: aerospace, science,tourism,andlogistics.
The next day, as part of the Sister Cities Committee, we participated in a meeting led by the Mayor of Ensenada, Claudia Agatón, and the Mayor of Riverside, Patricia LockDawson,alongwith
FENDER
Other committee members discussed the topics discussed, including preparations for the 50th anniversary of the twinning agreement between Ensenada and Riverside, which will take place next year, as well as exchange projects in areas such as science, language teaching, philanthropy, and business. The connection that both cities share through events such as Science Night,whichpromotesknowledgeexchange and citizen participation, was also highlighted.
Representing Ensenada EDC, Mario A. Peregrina, president; Keiko Nishikawa, vice president; and Kennya Vargas, director, participatedinthisagenda.
FENDER
MEETINGS AND EVENTS
On July 25, Mario A. Peregrina, president of Ensenada EDC, participated as a speaker at the First AMPI Ensenada Real Estate Forum with the conference "Promoting Ensenada: Investment Perspectives and Opportunities."
In his presentation, he addressed the global context of investment competition, highlighting the accelerated growth of Chinesetrade(1,200%intwodecades)and the sectors that are attracting foreign capital to Baja California, such as aerospace,electronics,andmedical. He also spoke of Ensenada's potential as part of one of Mexico's most important industrialregions,
highlighting advantages such as its strategic location, connectivity, availability of land reserves, and a broad economic ecosystem that includes manufacturing, logistics, hospitality, agribusiness, and creativeindustries.
Amongtheconcreteresults,hehighlighted the interest of new companies in the aerospace, electronics, and medical sectors in establishing operations in Ensenada.
We appreciate the opportunity to share perspectives on Ensenada's economic development and engage with key stakeholders in the sector. These opportunities strengthen the vision of a competitiveandgrowingcity.
MEETINGS AND EVENTS
WEEKLYMEETINGOFTHECCEE,A.C.
On August 4, Mario A. Peregrina, president of Ensenada EDC, participated as a guest speaker at the weekly meeting of the Ensenada Business Coordinating Council, A.C.
During his participation, he presented the topic "Promoting Ensenada," in which he shared the work we do through the Economic Promotion Commission: the key sectors in our region, our efforts to attract investment, and the forums in which we position Ensenada as a competitive destinationnationallyandinternationally.
FENDER
MEETINGS AND EVENTS
GRAPEHARVESTCELEBRATIONS
On August 16 and 17, we attended the Verbena de Santo Tomás and the Paella Contest, two iconic events in Ensenada's wine-making tradition, invited by Provino BajaCalifornia.
In attendance were Mario A. Peregrina, President; Miguel Coronado, Board Member;andKennyaVargas,Director,who were joined by Christopher Teal, U.S. ConsulinTijuana,andÁlvaroMuñoz.
We thank Wenceslao Martínez Payán, PresidentofProvino,fortheinvitationtobe part of these celebrations that strengthen Ensenada's identity as the capital of Mexicanwine.
Correduría Pública Nueve is a firm specializing in legal and commercial services that promotes certainty and formality in business. It offers solutions such as appraisals, trademark registration, company formation, certification of facts, ratification of signatures, and formalization of meetings, helping companies and entrepreneurs operate with legal certainty.
GEnsenada:DoingBusinesswitha lassofWineandanOceanView
KennyaVargasMaldonado
Director,EnsenadaEconomicDevelopment Commission|Master’sStudentinViticultureandWine Business,CEVIT–CETYS
Within the framework of the Fiestas de la Vendimia (Harvest Celebrations), we highlight the importance and impact of the wineindustryontheeconomicdevelopment of our municipality not only through the economicspilloverandjobsitgenerates,but also for the promotion it brings to the local economy.
We are the capital of Mexican wine, producing around 70% of the country’s wines, which translates into countless benefits. According to official sources, Ensenada’s wine industry generates an annual economic spillover of 3.6 billion pesos and approximately 10,500 jobs, both direct and indirect, including agricultural work, production, tourism, and related services.
“We
are the capital of Mexican wine, producing around 70% of the country’s wines, which translates into countless benefits.”
The local wine supply chain in Ensenada begins in the fields, with grape growers who supply both large wineries and boutique projects. From there, an ecosystem of suppliers is activated bottles, corks, labels, boxes, barrels, fertilizers, agricultural machinery. Finished wine enters a network of distributors and marketers operating in the national and export markets. At the same time, the chain connects with local gastronomy, hotels, restaurants, catering, and tour operators, which integrate wine as an essential part of the enotourism experience. This articulation between producers, suppliers, and services makes winemaking an anchor industry for the local economy, generating jobs and stimulating complementary sectors such as logistics, construction, design, and marketing.
At the Ensenada Economic Promotion Commission, a nonprofit business organization, we seek to attract companies that invest in the city, creating jobs and opportunities.
Ensenada is a port of innovation, with diverse economic sectors that can thrive here: advanced manufacturing (aerospace, life sciences, maritime, electronics), logistics, technology, food and beverages, tourism, fisheries, and aquaculture. Our talent, trained in engineering, sciences, business, hospitality, and the arts, is ready to contribute across industries.
Our activities include promoting Ensenada at international fairs in the sectors we represent. Just a few years ago, few knew our location; today, everyone knows where we are, what we produce, and that we offer outstanding gastronomy. Ensenada wine has become a benchmark and ambassador for our city in investment promotion.
The Guadalupe Valley is widely recognized for its enotourism experiences, lodging, restaurants, and winery architecture. For potential investors who visit us, wine is always present at the table often complemented by a vineyard tour highlighting another benefit of doing business here: quality of life. A bottle of wine from our valleys has become an international corporate gift, traveling from Ensenada to Mexico, the United States, Japan, China, Canada, and beyond.
We have also hosted business seminars, such as Doing Business in Mexico, in Ensenada and Guadalupe Valley wineries. Business experiences framed by vineyards and crowned with a wine tasting paired with our renowned cheesesandseafood aretrulyunique
RoadShow2024,EnsenadaEDCWithKenSalazar,thenUSAmbassador toMexico
2024AnnualResultsReport,EnsenadaEDC
In 2022, Baja California hosted the 43rd World Congress of Vine and Wine, and Ensenada welcomed ambassadors, wine brands, business and experts from around the globe, who were captivated by our landscape, gastronomy, warmth, and, of course,ourexceptionalwines.
In 2024, three restaurants in Ensenada (all located in Guadalupe Valley) were awarded a Michelin star, and in 2025, three more joined the list, including another in GuadalupeValley.
Each year, we visit embassies of different countries in Mexico City United Kingdom, France, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Japan, China, among others—where we presentabottleofwineandhostanend-ofweekeventshowcasingregionalproducts.
We have also held tastings in the United States, Japan, Canada, and Germany as part of our promotional agenda, strengthening the international presence of our wines and creating business opportunities.
Wine from Ensenada, sourced from our diverse valleys, has opened doors and sparked interest when doing business abroad. Exports are a key part of our investment attraction strategy, which is why positioning Ensenada wine in Mexico and internationally has been a priority for the Economic Promotion Commission, alongside thepromotionofothereconomicsectors.
Undoubtedly, Ensenada wine has been an ambassador of our municipality and our state, positioning us nationally and internationally, appearing on lists of favorite destinations and on the finest tables, paired withdiverseculinarystyles.
This industry has a positive impact on economic development and global positioning, complementing tourism, gastronomy, and wellness, and even extending to grape and seed-based products such as creams, soaps, and cosmetics—strengthening the circular economy.
We are proud to be part of such a beautiful region, with exquisite flavors enjoyed by localsand visitorsalike.
Cheersandhappyharveststoall!
ENSENADA:ANEWSTRATEGICDESTINATIONFOR INVESTMENTAMIDGLOBALTRADETENSIONS
MarioA.Peregrina PresidentoftheEnsenadaEconomic DevelopmentCommission
The current landscape, marked by trade disputes and tariff conflicts among the world’s leading economies, is reshaping global supply chains. In this context, Ensenada is emerging as one of the Mexicancitieswiththegreatestpotentialto attractnewindustrialinvestment
Traditionallyrecognizedforitsport,tourism, and wine industry, Ensenada has, in recent years, consolidated its position as an emerging industrial hub in northwestern Mexico Its strategic location, highly skilled workforce, and dynamic business community are transforming the city into an industrial ecosystem with strong internationalprojection.
StrategicLocationandConnectivity
Ensenada benefits from its proximity to the U.S. border and the CaliBaja binational corridor, which links Baja California with California—one of the world’s most advanced and competitive markets Additionally, it boasts one of the most important ports on Mexico’s Pacific coast, providing access to international maritime routes that strengthen its logistics and exportcapabilities.
ACompetitiveHavenAmidGlobalUncertainty
Rising tariffs and restrictions on international trade have pushed global companies to seek alternatives that ensure continuity, competitiveness,andaccesstokeymarkets In this scenario, Ensenada offers unique strategic advantages:
Direct access to the U.S. market under the USMCA framework, with preferential conditionsthathelpavoidpunitivetariffs
A privileged geographic location, with a nearby land border and a high-capacity Pacific port, facilitating trade with both NorthAmericaandAsia.
A diversified logistics network, including maritime routes, modern highways, and proximitytointernationalairports.
COLUMNA: PERSPECTIVAS
IndustrialDiversification
While light manufacturing and tourism have traditionally been important, Ensenada is now diversifying into highvalueindustries:
Aerospace and automotive, supported by proximity to established clusters in TijuanaandMexicali.
Electronics and semiconductors, strengthened by closeness to California andthegrowingdemandforspecialized manufacturing.
Medical devices, a strategic sector in Baja California, now expanding into Ensenadathroughrecentinvestments.
Marine technologies and biotechnology, driven by the academic and research infrastructure of institutions such as CICESEandUABC.
Advanced manufacturing, thriving in Ensenada as a fertile ground for innovationanddevelopment.
InnovationandTalentasKeyDrivers
The presence of world-class research institutions, including CICESE and UABC, provides Ensenada with an additional advantage: the ability to integrate innovation and technology transfer into production processes. This makes it possible for investments to focus not only on manufacturingbutalsoonthedevelopmentof high-valuesolutions.
NearshoringOpportunities
The global trend toward nearshoring relocating manufacturing processes closer to the final market finds a natural hub in Ensenada. Companies can move operations from Asia or Europe to Mexico, avoiding geopolitical risks and high logistics costs while maintaining direct access to the North American market without being affected by tradetensions.
LookingAhead
With an attractive natural environment, high quality of life, and a growing business community, Ensenada is positioning itself not only as an emerging industrial hub but also as areliabledestinationforinvestmentintimesof globaluncertainty.
Conclusion
Trade tensions and new tariff structures are redefining the global manufacturing landscape. Ensenada, with its strategic location, advantages under the USMCA, and expanding industrial ecosystem, stands out today as one of the best opportunities for companiesseekingresilience,competitiveness, andsustainablegrowthinNorthAmerica.
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