In the new global economy, intangibles are no longer an abstract concept: they are the real driver of competitiveness. Today, among all of them, digital trust emerges as the key piece that will define who wins and who loses in the relocation of value chains to Mexico.
The development of nearshoring places the country at a historic juncture. Geographic conditions and competitive manufacturing costs are clear advantages, but the real factor that will determine the attraction of high-level investments will be the ability to offer a secure, transparent and reliable digital environment. Competitiveness no longer depends solely on producing faster or cheaper, but on transmitting certainty in each technological interaction.
From “made in Mexico” to “trusted in Mexico”
In this sense, the quality seal of an economy is no longer measured solely in terms of manufacturing. International companies seek ecosystems where their intellectual property, sensitive data and transactions are protected. Mexico faces the challenge of moving from “made in Mexico” to “trusted in Mexico.”
The World Economic Forum defines digital trust in 2024 as “the promise that digital technologies and services, as well as the organizations that provide them, will protect the interests of all actors and meet society’s expectations and values.” This definition reflects that it is not enough to adopt technology: it is necessary to guarantee a framework of transparency, privacy and responsibility that grants legitimacy to digital systems.
The loss of digital trust has an enormous cost. A cyberattack, a data breach, or opaque information management can destroy in hours what took years to build. It’s not just about immediate financial losses: credibility is eroded, consumer confidence is weakened and strategic alliances are put at risk. In a context where algorithms weigh as much as markets, digital trust becomes the most valuable asset.
Mexico is making progress in nearshoring, but still lacks a robust narrative about this intangible. It is necessary to promote clear public policies, alliances with the private sector and an institutional framework that projects international standards in digital security and ethics. The country must not only produce efficiently: it must guarantee technological integrity to consolidate its global reputation.
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Leadership, reputation and economy 5.0
In short, digital trust is not limited to firewalls or technical protocols: it is also an exercise in leadership and strategic communication. The World Economic Forum further notes that “commitment to cybersecurity, privacy, transparency, auditability, equity, interoperability and security—when driven by CEOs—can improve the trust of both citizens and consumers in technologies and the companies that develop them.”
This point is essential: it is not only about investing in protection systems, but also about business and government leaders transmitting clear messages of transparency, ethics and responsibility. Credibility is built with facts, but also with consistent narratives. It is of little use to have the best systems if the public perception is one of opacity or lack of commitment to digital integrity. In today’s economy, communicating clearly and coherently is as important as shielding networks or protecting servers.
The challenge for Mexico is twofold: take advantage of the wave of relocation and, at the same time, build an intangible that will become decisive. Countries and companies that project digital certainty will attract the most valuable investments; Those who do not do so will be left behind in the economy of the future.
In the transition towards economy 5.0, digital trust appears as the asset that tips the balance. If Mexico was previously recognized for its manufacturing, now it must aspire to be recognized for its digital reliability. In a world where data is the new oil, trust is the refinery that defines your true value.
The author is an expert in strategic communication and public relations, with more than 25 years of experience in high-level negotiation, reputation management and creation of international alliances. He has worked with global firms and opinion leaders, positioning himself as one of the most influential voices in the analysis of the value of credibility in Mexico and Latin America. Contact:
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