Mexico
Recent trends
Mexico continues to outperform Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) in terms of shaping an inclusive digital economy and society. The country has made efforts to enhance digital access and use for all. Internet users, active mobile broadband and fixed broadband subscriptions increased in the last decade. Mexico rose in the E-Government Development Index from 0.59 in 2008 to 0.68 in 2018, which is above the LAC average and below the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) average.
Mexico’s performance in high-technology exports as a share of total manufactured exports has been above LAC and OECD averages in the last decade. In terms of promoting an inclusive digital society, the number of students per computer rose from 2.2 in 2015 to 2.4 in 2018, which is above LAC (1.6) and OECD averages (1.1). The Global Cybersecurity Index (0.63) shows improved and consistently higher results than the LAC average (0.43) but below the OECD average (0.79). Mexico had higher foreign direct investment restrictions than LAC and the OECD in the 2018 OECD FDI Regulatory Restrictiveness Index.
National strategies and international co-operation for digital transformation
The 2019-24 national development plan (NDP) is Mexico’s main development planning instrument. The NDP embeds digital tools in specific policy areas to achieve its goals, specifically targeting productivity, inclusion, public administration and climate change. The Office of the President of the Republic developed Estrategia Digital Nacional (National Digital Strategy) with the goal of maximising information and communications technology (ICT) capabilities. The Coordination of the National Digital Strategy, which reports directly to the Office of the President, is responsible for the elaboration and co-ordination of the plan, as well as the development of ICT for its use in the public administration.
The National Plan to Fight Corruption and Impunity, and to Improve the Public Administration 2019-2024 uses digital tools in its execution. The goal is to establish a programme to promote efficiency in public administrations, while modernising and improving public service provision. Specifically, the programme will implement a system of digital platforms and tools for citizens to supervise federal public administration activities, including public procurement processes. It will also promote transversal ICT adoption across government entities and the implementation of the Digital Platform for Public Procurement. To mitigate the impact of the coronavirus (Covid-19), the Ministry of Public Education implemented Aprende en Casa (Learn at home) to enable classes during lockdown. Education content is made available online and through public television. Additionally, the government created an official website for general coronavirus (Covid-19) information (CAF, 2020).
The Ministry of Economy is responsible for implementing the Development of the Software and Innovation Industry, which focuses on industrial innovation, adoption and development. It also prioritises the digitalisation of Mexican companies as they tackle industry 4.0.
In terms of international co-operation, Mexico established the Better than Cash Alliance through multilateral co-operation with Colombia, Paraguay, Peru and other countries around the world. The partnership aims to accelerate the transition from cash to digital payment to reduce poverty and drive inclusive growth. The country co-operated with France on a digital project on information and democracy to fight disinformation and fake news.
Mexico also co-operates with the European Union, playing a major role in the plan to advance High Performance Computing (HPC). Mexico will receive support to create a roadmap for future HPC research co-operation, identify national and regional funding schemes, and improve links between research communities in Europe and Mexico and other LAC countries.
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