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CCCM :: Matamoros  Matamoros Infraestructure
International Bridges | Transportation | Financial Services | Industrial Parks | Maquila Overview
International Bridges
Matamoros has four international bridges to serve companies with cross-border needs.
B&M International Bridge  (Puente Express): One of the oldest bridges linking the United States and Mexico, this bridge also features one of the few international rail crossings on the US/Mexico border with service provided by Union Pacific and "Transportacion Ferroviaria Mexicana".
International Gateway Bridge (Puente La Puerta México): One of the main access points for tourists as well as business delegates, this bridge takes you directly into the heart of downtown Matamoros.
Veterans International Bridge (Puente Ignacio Zaragoza): The newest of the four bridge access points. Operation began in 1999 and has continued to be the main route of entry for light to heavy industrial truck traffic. Also, this bridge has a Sentry Line which allows you to cross over in less than 10 min.
Free Trade International Bridge (Puente de Libre Comercio): This bridge features direct access to the Los Indios Industrial Park.
Transportation
Airports
Three international airports are located within a 25 miles radius with passenger airline carriers connecting to hubs in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Reynosa and México City.
Deep Water Port
 The Port of Brownsville provides the most efficient services to facilitate the international movement of goods between Mexico and the United States. At the Port of Brownsville, the land transportation of Mexico is linked with the Inland Waterway System of the United States.
Open since 1936, the Port of Brownsville is located at the southernmost tip of Texas at the end of a 17 mile (27 kilometers) channel that meets the Gulf of Mexico at the Brazos Santiago Pass. The City of Brownsville is 2 miles (3 kilometers) to the southwest, and lies adjacent to the Rio Grande River providing a convenient gateway to Mexico.
The Port of Brownsville is a major center of industrial development with over 230 companies doing business here.
Activities include:
- construction of offshore drilling rigs
- ship repairing and dismantling
- steel fabrication, boat construction
- rail car rehabilitation
- LPG storage/distribution
- waste oil recovery
- bulk terminaling for miscellaneous liquids
- grain handling and storage
Adequate space is available for expansion of existing or addition of new industries.
The Port of Brownsville is governed by the Brownsville Navigation District, a political subdivision of the State of Texas. The District is guided by an elected Board of Commissioners which establishes the policies, rules, rates and regulations of the Port and approves all contractual obligations.
Highways
- Matamoros has a direct link with US highway 77 and 83 (future home of I-69).
- Matamoros also connects with the newly renovated Mexican interstate highway 101 and 40.
- Matamoros is the closest border crossing into the main markets of Central Mexico as well as being the conventional route to eastern portions of the US.
Financial Services
| Banks |
46 |
| Brokers |
2 |
| Currency Exchange |
52 |
| Bonding Agencies |
2 |
| Insurance Brokerage Agencies |
22 |
Other Business Services
Parcel Delivery
Most international couriers such as Federal Express and DHL service the region with pick-up and drop-off points scattered throughout the city.
Telecommunications
Telefonos de Mexico (TELMEX) currently has 55,644 lines in operation. Long distance carriers include Alestra (Alfa-AT&T joint venture) and Avantel (Banamex-MCI joint venture). Matamoros is served with both fiber optic cable and microwave access for internet usage. Telecommunication infrastructure is capable of meeting the needs of the most rigorous business demands. Average new connection time is 3 days.
Industrial Parks
Maquila Overview
Maquiladora" or "maquila" is derived from the Spanish word "maquilar" which historically referred to the milling of wheat into flour, for which the farmer would compensate the miller with a portion of the wheat, the miller's compensation being referred to as "maquila". The modern meaning of the word evolved from its use to describe any partial activity in a manufacturing process, such as assembly or packaging carried out by someone other than the original manufacturer.
Today a "Maquiladora" refers to a Mexican company operating under a special customs regime which allows the maquiladora to temporarily import into Mexico on a duty free basis, machinery, equipment, materials, parts and components and other items needed for the assembly or manufacture of finished goods for subsequent export.
The original purpose of maquiladoras was to absorb excess labor in the border areas and to encourage Mexican exports. It was also hoped that maquiladoras would help develop the Mexican manufacturing base and lead to the transfer of technology to Mexico.
The Maquiladora industry is one of the most important sectors of the Mexican economy. Its growth is impressive, sustained at 10 % annually for the past 10 years, with more foreign exchange generation than either the tourism or oil industries of Mexico. One out of five manufacturing jobs in Mexico are in maquila plants.
Maquiladora Program
The maquiladora program in Matamoros is a highly successful manufacturing program offering foreign entrepreneurs the benefits of low labor and production costs to process and assemble raw materials or components imported duty-free or in-bond on a temporary basis. These products are then exported back to their country of origin or to a third country.
Wholly Owned Maquiladora
Under this program, foreign investors are allowed to own a 100% equity stake in a maquiladora export company. These firms have parent companies abroad, mostly in the U.S., but have direct control of patents, technology, and day-to-day operations. Whole ownershjp requires the largest fixed investment, but it is also the option that has yielded the highest returns for many maquiladoras. After the permitting process is complete, a building can be rented, leased or bought, and utilities contracted. Individually and collected working contracts are established with the employees and workers.
Shelter
This program is ideal for small and medium sized companies. Generally, manufacturers unwilling to assume the responsibility of owning a maquiladora, but wanting to preserve full control over operations, opt for this alternative. One of the main attractions of shelter operations is that the parent company maintains full control of manufacturing operations. It can bring in its own production manager and technical personnel. It provides all materials and equipment involved in production, including training, and pays all costs involved. The shelter provider takes care of hiring, customs, accounting and other production support activities. Industrial parks and independent companies offer shelter start up and operation services. Both contend for shelter clients, giving the investor the opportunity to solicit competing bids. Usually a per-hour rate is charged for labor.
Subcontracting
Under this scheme the client contracts a Mexico based company with the expertise and equipment to deliver finished products. Subcontractors take care of all the details and charge either on a per-hour or piecework basis. Contracts can range from a single run to long term. The subcontractor handles import/export procedures and is responsible for final product quality, although clients often supervise quality controls. The client provides imports and specialized equipment when needed. The client also provides technology and/or know-how, and coordinates employee training with the subcontractor.
Joint Venture
In some instances, individuals or companies are interested in sharing the risks and benefits with local entrepreneurs through a joint venture. The Mexican partner usually handles start-up and operations.
Sales into Mexican Market
The maquiladora concept is based on export of 100% of the company's production. Under the NAFTA agreement of 1994, wholly owned maquiladoras are allowed to sell up to 60% of their previous year's exports in the Mexican domestic markets without prior authorization. This percentage is to be increased by 5% on a yearly basis.
Intermaquila Transfers
A maquiladora may sell or transfer products to other maquiladoras or to third parties. The counterparts must eventually export them along with its' own products. Also, maquiladoras may transfer their work in process to subcontractors or transfer machinery and equipment to help suppliers provide the maquiladora with Mexican-source inputs.
International Bridges | Transportation | Financial Services | Industrial Parks | Maquila Overview
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