Quintana Roo Producers Expand to Florida Markets

Cancún, Quintana Roo — Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa has solidified strategic ties to position Quintana Roo as a state open to international commerce by signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Mexico-America Chamber of Commerce of Florida. The agreement, signed in the presence of the chamber’s President and CEO Alma Aguilar and the Secretary of Economic Development, establishes a binational alliance to promote the internationalization of Quintana Roo businesses in Florida.

Strengthening Economic Ties

The memorandum facilitates the export of locally made products under the "Hecho en Quintana Roo" (Made in Quintana Roo) label, including honey, gum, sauces, spirits, agricultural goods, and marzipan. It also provides training in business internationalization, access to marketing networks, and technical support for a smooth entry into Florida’s market.

Governor Lezama emphasized that the agreement aligns with the New Agreement for Well-being and Development of Quintana Roo, a social pact aimed at expanding commercial opportunities and fostering shared prosperity. "What we sign today is a firm step within this new agreement—one that opens new markets, allows products to cross borders, and brings investments that transform communities," she stated.

Diversifying Beyond Tourism

Paul Carrillo de Cáceres, head of the Secretariat of Economic Development (SEDE), noted that the initiative seeks to diversify the state’s economy beyond tourism by boosting productivity in agriculture, artisan work, industry, logistics, and commerce, particularly in historically underserved regions.

Alma García, President and CEO of the Mexico-America Chamber of Commerce of Florida, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, highlighting the natural connection between Florida and Quintana Roo. "We are closely linked not just in commerce but also in engineering and manufacturing," she said. She also pointed to opportunities in the U.S. health sector’s demand for natural products, such as honey and pineapple, as well as potential visa pathways for farmers, hospitality workers, and students.

Key Attendees

The signing ceremony included participation from Gabriel Parra (Business Legal & Trade Operations), Genero Giménez Barragán (real estate entrepreneur), Arturo Fernández (Sonora Global), entrepreneurs Derek Valencia Beltrán and Aron Webb, Xochitl López Sansores (Director of Tourism Product Development), Jorge Villanueva (General Director of the Quintana Roo Economic Development Fund), Irving Valencia (VMI Insulation), Juan Reyes (Ay Sonora Mexican Group), and Julián Pérez Navarrete (Director of Projects at IDEFIN).

The agreement paves the way for future partnerships with major Florida cities like Orlando and Miami, reinforcing Quintana Roo’s role in global trade.