Assessment and recommendations

Puebla-Tlaxcala is a dynamic, fast-growing metropolitan region with significant opportunities ahead. Comprised of 39 municipalities in 2 states, the Puebla-Tlaxcala metropolitan zone is the 4th largest in Mexico. The regional economy is responsible for three-quarters of the state of Puebla’s gross domestic product (GDP). The city of Puebla is the region’s economic engine, accounting for over half of the metropolitan zone’s population and over 60% of its GDP. The region’s demographic growth, averaging 1.9% annually between 2000 and 2010, has outpaced the national and OECD averages. Its strategic location, between Mexico City and the port of Veracruz, makes it a key player for regional and international economic activity and trade, where exporting activity has been facilitated by numerous free trade agreements (FTAs), including the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the European Free Trade Agreement (EFTA).