New Cancun Tech Hub Near Maya Train & Airport

CANCUN — The Cancun Financial and Technological District, a project announced by Governor Mara Lezama during last week's National Banking Convention, will be situated on state-owned public land approximately five kilometers southwest of both the Maya Train Station and the Cancun International Airport.

The district's first stage will encompass 100 hectares of state land with a rectangular perimeter of 4,000 meters. An additional 100 hectares of adjacent private property can be integrated, bringing the total initial area to 200 hectares. The State Government will grant tax incentives for investment in the zone.

Simultaneous with the governor's announcement at the convention, the decree issuing the Declaration of the Financial and Technological District of Cancun was published in the Official Gazette of the State. The decree not only declares the creation of the district and delimits its territory and area of influence, but also establishes the specific state tax benefits, incentives, and stimuli applicable exclusively within the zone.

Approved Economic Activities and Tax Incentives

The decree outlines the productive economic activities permitted within the District. These include service development in health, education, finance, tourism, scientific research and development, information technologies, artificial intelligence, software development, and telecommunications.

Also permitted are the development and manufacture of semiconductors and other electronic components; corporate or management activities of legal entities, companies, business groups, or consortia; and market research and development. Complementary activities necessary for the proper development of the aforementioned sectors are also allowed.

The package of tax incentives is comprehensive. It includes a 100% exemption from the Payroll Tax for the first five years, followed by a 50% exemption for another five years. There is a 100% exemption from the Property Transfer Tax and a 50% exemption from the Vehicle Ownership Tax. Health professionals will receive a 100% exemption from the Tax on the Free Exercise of Professions. Because hotels will be permitted within the District, there is a 100% exemption from the Lodging Tax for the first five years and a 50% exemption for the following five.

Additional Subsidies and Governance

The state will also provide subsidies ranging from 25% to 100% for various government services. These include authorizations for private security services; Civil Registry services; apostille and legalization of educational documents and services of the Ministry of Education; services of the Public Registry of Property and Commerce; Civil Protection; the Geographic and Cadastral Institute; opinions of Viability in Matters of Urban Actions; and permits from the Ministry of Ecology and Environment.

Individuals and legal entities operating within the District may receive these benefits, provided their activities promote the generation of formal jobs, growth in labor productivity, and investments that foster the economic, financial, technological, scientific, and tourism development of the state.

An Intersecretarial Committee will be responsible for evaluating and authorizing individuals or legal entities that enter the District as an Integral Administrator of one or more sections or as investors. This committee must, within a period of no more than four months ending no later than July, issue the Guidelines for the Financial and Technological District of Cancun. These guidelines will define the characteristics of its Sections, the requirements to authorize Comprehensive Administrators and Investors, and the necessary administrative and operational processes.