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1. OECD forecasts negative scenario for Mexican economy

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) downgraded Mexico’s growth forecast for this year, from an expected Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 1.2% to a contraction of -1.3%. The agency also corrected downward its economic expectations for 2026, from an estimated 1.6% growth to a decline of -0.6%.

This trend is not only for Mexico, but also for the United States and Canada, as the international organization points out that the eventual imposition of tariffs, and the uncertainty this generates, will bring serious economic consequences for the three countries. At a global level, the OECD foresees a similar case, since the fragmentation of international trade has caused the organization to estimate global growth of 3.1% in 2025 and 3% in 2026.

El País: La OCDE prevé que México entre en recesión este año por los aranceles de Trump

2. Announcement of investment in the State of Durango

The government of Mexico and the government of the state of Durango announced an investment of $3.7 billion by the company Fermaca Networks for fertilizer production, energy and digitalization projects in the state by 2025. The Minister of Economy, Marcelo Ebrard, emphasized that the investment of $1 billion for fertilizers will have a positive impact on agricultural production in Mexico and the second investment will generate artificial intelligence and data engineering.

Among the plans of Fermaca Networks are the “Durango Digital City” project for gas pipelines from Texas, a fiber optic line from the northern border to Durango and with branches in Guadalajara, a combined cycle plant to produce energy and a 250-megawatt hyperscale center to strengthen the infrastructure in the north of the country. Finally, a green fertilizer plant is also planned.

Presidencia de la República: Presidenta anuncia inversión de 3 mil 700 mdd de Fermaca Dreams para construcción de centro de datos y planta de fertilizantes en Durango

La Jornada: Anuncian proyectos por 3 mil 400 millones de dólares para Durangoeza” ante aranceles al acero y aluminio de Trump: Ebrard

3. President Sheinbaum withdraws reform of social security for state workers

After a meeting with the National Coordination of Education Workers (CNTE), and after numerous protests in the main cities of the country, President Claudia Sheinbaum withdrew the reform to the Law of the Institute of Security and Social Services of Workers in the Service of the State (ISSSTE Law), which sought, among other things, to change the calculation of the contributions that government workers must pay to the ISSSTE when their earnings exceed 30,000 pesos per month, with the objective of increasing collection and, in the President’s words, “that those who receive more, contribute more.”

The President pointed out that the withdrawal of the initiative was due to the misinformation it caused and reiterated her support to the teachers. She also announced other agreements reached at the meeting, such as freezing, reducing or forgiving debts on social housing loans, as well as stopping the increase in the minimum retirement age provided for in the law.

El Economista: Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo retiró su iniciativa de reforma a la ley del ISSSTE

Presidencia de la República: Presidenta informa que tras retirar iniciativa a la ley del ISSSTE, se congelarán, disminuirán o condonarán deudas del FOVISSSTE

4. High-calorie food ban in schools goes ahead

The federal government stated that the plan to eliminate the sale of high-calorie food in elementary schools is about to go into effect as of March 29, 2024. This initiative seeks to guarantee a healthier diet for students, promoting more nutritious options and restricting the sale of unhealthy products.

To this purpose, the Ministry of Health has designed a training program for vendors that will begin to be implemented between March 31 and April 4. During this training, they will be provided with information on which products are allowed and which are prohibited according to the new guidelines. In addition, supervision and control mechanisms will be implemented at school level, where state authorities, together with health brigades, will carry out periodic visits to schools to verify that the guidelines are being complied with.

Excelsior: Ssa capacitará a expendedores de productos en escuelas ante prohibición de comida chatarra  

5. Self-service stores report decreases in sales

Same-store sales of the National Association of Self-Service and Department Stores (Antad), which groups the country’s main stores, recorded a contraction of 1.7% in February compared to the same month in 2024, putting an end to four years of consecutive growth. According to the president of the association, this could be due, to the instability caused by the economic-political decisions of the United States, which generate “a certain nervousness.”

Although more data is still needed to announce a generalized drop in sales, the President of ANTAD pointed out that a decrease in the consumption of non-necessary products, such as electronic and video devices, cell phones and alcoholic beverages, is being observed. He said that, although this is the most recent drop after the one that occurred in 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the industry is optimistic, even with the issue of tariffs, since the main products sold at ANTAD are of Mexican origin.

El Economista: Ventas de la ANTAD caen por primera vez en 4 años