President Claudia Sheinbaum announces a multi-million-dollar investment in Seybaplaya, Campeche, as one of two new “Welfare Hubs” in the Yucatán Peninsula, aiming to boost regional development, attract national and foreign investment, and generate jobs.
President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo has unveiled a landmark federal investment in the municipality of Seybaplaya, Campeche, as part of the newly launched “Polos de Desarrollo para el Bienestar” (Development Poles for Welfare) program. During her daily “La mañanera del pueblo” press conference on May 22, 2025, Sheinbaum confirmed that Seybaplaya will be one of two welfare hubs established on the Yucatán Peninsula, alongside Chetumal in Quintana Roo, to strengthen the Interoceanic Corridor of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec.
A Vision for Regional Transformation
The “Polos de Bienestar” initiative—presented by Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard Casaubón—aims to foster balanced development in historically under-served regions by offering tax incentives, modern infrastructure, and streamlined regulatory conditions. According to Ebrard, these zones will “feature everything necessary to attract both national and foreign private investment” and will prioritize sites where land is publicly owned and essential services such as reliable electrical power are already in place.
Sheinbaum emphasized that the program’s objective is not only economic growth, but also social welfare. “These hubs will propel job creation, improve living standards, and catalyze regional value chains, all while respecting local communities and the environment,” she stated. By targeting municipalities with strategic geographic advantages, the federal government seeks to close development gaps and redirect investment flows toward Mexico’s southern states.
Seybaplaya: From Fishing Village to Economic Gateway
Once a modest fishing community on Campeche’s coastline, Seybaplaya has been earmarked to receive more than 1,000 million pesos (approximately USD 60 million) in phased investments for port dredging, road upgrades, and utility expansion. This fresh infusion of capital will modernize the port infrastructure—complementing similar dredging works recently approved for Carmen—and establish Seybaplaya as a competitive maritime and logistics node.
Local authorities have welcomed the announcement. Governor Layda Sansores San Román praised the move as “a transformative moment for Campeche,” noting that the expansion of Seybaplaya’s port capabilities will enable larger vessels to dock and reduce shipping costs for both imports and exports. Merchant and artisan cooperatives in the region are also preparing to scale up production, anticipating increased access to national and international markets.
Chetumal Joins the Effort
Parallel to Campeche’s developments, Chetumal will host the second “Polo de Bienestar” in Quintana Roo. Positioned on the Caribbean coast near the Belize border, Chetumal is poised to leverage its existing free-trade zone and cross-border trade corridors. Ebrard pointed out that the combined impact of both hubs will reinforce the Isthmus corridor’s role as a major east-west trade artery, linking the Gulf of Mexico to the Caribbean Sea.
By selecting Chetumal and Seybaplaya, the federal strategy taps into two complementary maritime gateways—each with distinct logistical strengths. While Chetumal focuses on containerized cargo and tourism spillover, Seybaplaya will prioritize bulk commodities and industrial inputs, creating a diversified economic corridor that benefits multiple sectors.
Incentives and Strategic Industries
To qualify as a “Polo de Bienestar,” each site must meet stringent infrastructure benchmarks, including power grid capacity, road and rail connectivity, and availability of clean water. Once approved, companies that establish operations in these zones will benefit from:
- Tax Exemptions: Waivers on corporate income tax (ISR) and value-added tax (IVA) for an initial period.
- Customs Facilitation: Streamlined import/export procedures and reduced tariffs.
- Regulatory Support: Fast-track permitting processes and dedicated liaison offices to address administrative requirements.
Potential sectors identified for Seybaplaya and Chetumal include agroindustry, aerospace, automotive and electromobility, pharmaceuticals and medical devices, electronics and semiconductors, and renewable energy. The Mexican federal government is also promoting circular economy ventures—such as recycling and waste-to-energy projects—to ensure sustainable growth.
Economic and Social Impact
Analysts project that the “Polos de Bienestar” could attract upwards of USD 2 billion in cumulative investment over the next five years, generating an estimated 25,000 direct and indirect jobs in Campeche and Quintana Roo. The multiplier effect is expected to benefit upstream and downstream service providers—transport operators, construction firms, and local suppliers—thus broadening the initiative’s reach.
Beyond raw numbers, proponents stress the social dimension of the project. By creating stable employment opportunities close to home, the program intends to reduce migration pressures toward Mexico City and the United States. Additionally, vocational training centers will be established in collaboration with the federal workforce agency, INAEM, to equip local residents with in-demand technical skills.
Community Engagement and Environmental Safeguards
Recognizing the ecological sensitivity of coastal Campeche and the surrounding wetlands, the federal government has mandated environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for each infrastructure project. Sheinbaum assured that “no works will proceed without full compliance with conservation standards and close coordination with local ejidos and indigenous communities.”
Civil society groups have been invited to participate in community consultations, a process designed to address concerns related to land use, water quality, and biodiversity protection. In Seybaplaya, fishermen’s cooperatives have flagged potential disruption to marine habitats; authorities have responded by committing to habitat restoration programs and the installation of eco-friendly port equipment.
A Strategic Link to the Isthmus Corridor
The Interoceanic Corridor of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec—envisioned as a complementary alternative to the Panama Canal—spans from Salina Cruz in Oaxaca to Coatzacoalcos in Veracruz. By integrating Seybaplaya and Chetumal into this network, the federal government seeks to diversify trade routes and mitigate chokepoints in global supply chains.
Ebrard highlighted that the “Istmo” corridor has already attracted interest from major shipping lines and logistics companies. “With the addition of these welfare hubs, we reinforce Mexico’s capacity to serve as a reliable transit route between the Atlantic and Pacific,” he remarked, noting ongoing studies to expand rail lines and improve intermodal connections.
Looking Ahead
As Campeche prepares for this infusion of federal resources, municipal and state officials are drafting complementary development plans—focusing on affordable housing, local micro-entrepreneurship, and tourism infrastructure—to ensure that economic gains translate into improved quality of life. The port of Seybaplaya’s dredging works are slated to begin in Q3 2025, with phased completion targeted for early 2027.
For Campeche’s residents, the arrival of the “Polo de Bienestar” marks a shift toward greater inclusion in Mexico’s growth narrative. As Sheinbaum concluded, “Our commitment is to leave no one behind. These hubs are about building opportunities where they are most needed, so that every region can thrive on its own terms.”
