What does COFOCE stand for?
COFOCE stands for Coordinadora de Fomento al Comercio Exterior del Estado de Guanajuato, the Guanajuato state body focused on export promotion and internationalization.
🏛️ Export Promotion Agency · Guanajuato, Mexico
COFOCE: Guanajuato's Export Promotion Agency
Coordinadora de Fomento al Comercio Exterior del Estado de Guanajuato
Mexico's only state agency exclusively dedicated to export promotion — connecting Guanajuato's manufacturers, agribusinesses, artisans, and food producers to buyers in the United States and 130+ countries since 1992.
Official name
Coordinadora de Fomento al Comercio Exterior del Estado de Guanajuato
Also searched as
COFOCE Guanajuato · Coordinadora de Fomento al Comercio Exterior
Official website
Data current as of April 2026 · Through 2025 (Jan–Sept); FY 2024 full year confirmed
$36.3B
State Exports Supported
Full Year 2024 · INEGI ETEF
2,000+
Registered Exporters
First time 2024 · COFOCE
131
Countries Reached
Jan–Sept 2025 · Quadratín
About COFOCE
What Is COFOCE?
COFOCE is Mexico's most consequential state-level export promotion agency — and its most enduring. Founded in 1992, it has spent more than three decades transforming Guanajuato from a historically agricultural state into Mexico's premier non-border exporter, achieving $36.3 billion in exports in 2024 alone. It stands as the only state agency in Mexico still dedicated exclusively to promoting the exportable supply of its state — a distinction earned while federal equivalents were restructured or shuttered.
COFOCE's mission is to drive the internationalization of Guanajuato's companies through effective strategies and specialized support, positioning foreign trade as the central axis of the state's economic development. Its Vision 2030: to be recognized worldwide for leadership in internationalizing Guanajuato businesses — with a commitment to inclusive exports that reach MSMEs, women entrepreneurs, rural communities, and artisans, not just large industrial players. In 2025, 92% of companies served were MSMEs, and programs reached more than 115,000 Guanajuato families.
COFOCE stands for Coordinadora de Fomento al Comercio Exterior del Estado de Guanajuato. Searchers looking for COFOCE Guanajuato, Guanajuato export promotion agency, or Mexican state export agencies are looking at the same institution profiled on this page.
Director General
Luis Ernesto Rojas Ávila
20+ years international trade experience · TED speaker · Columnist
Council President
Rocío Castillo
Business leader representing the export sector
Governor, Guanajuato
Libia Dennise García Muñoz Ledo
Human-centered export doctrine — measuring impact in families reached
Legal Structure
Organismo Descentralizado
Public-private: business leaders + government representatives on governing council
🏆 National Export Award — Best Foreign Trade Promotion Agency (2 wins)
🥇 Only state agency in Mexico exclusively dedicated to state exportable supply promotion
🌍 Only proven cross-border digital commerce ecosystem of its type outside China
👨👩👧👦 115,000+ Guanajuato families impacted through export programs (2025)
Free Services for International Buyers
How COFOCE Serves U.S. Buyers
For U.S. and international buyers, COFOCE provides fully free services: supplier identification, business visit scheduling, direct introductions, and trade accompaniment through negotiation and post-sale follow-up. The GTO Supply and GTO Automotive platforms give direct access to vetted suppliers across automotive, food, footwear, handicrafts, construction, and beverages — no registration required.
01
Supplier Identification
COFOCE's executives research and identify vetted Guanajuato suppliers matching your specific product or service requirements — at no cost.
02
Visit Scheduling
One-on-one meetings or event-based itineraries for buyers visiting Guanajuato — full logistics coordination handled by COFOCE.
03
Direct Introductions
Warm handoffs between buyer and supplier, with relationship-building facilitation by COFOCE staff throughout the process.
04
Trade Accompaniment
Ongoing support through negotiation, agreement, and post-sale follow-up. All buyer services are completely free of charge.
Export Development
Programs & Services
COFOCE operates one of the most comprehensive MSME export development systems in Latin America — spanning education, matchmaking, digital commerce, events, and community development.
Aprende a Exportar
Learn to Export
Flagship education pathway for companies new to international trade. Covers export fundamentals, regulatory requirements, logistics, and market entry strategies.
Voz Global
Free Live Webinar Series
Free live webinars archived on COFOCE's YouTube channel. Topics: tariff strategies, customs updates, USMCA compliance, market intelligence. Open to all businesses, not just Guanajuato.
Nearshoring Now
6-Module Diplomado — First of Its Kind in Latin America
Professional certification program, 3rd generation by April 2025. Modules: geopolitics of global trade, Mexico's role in the Bajío, ESG in nearshoring, strategic alliances, financial frontiers, and 2025 new world trade order. Delivered with CANACINTRA León.
E-Commerce Go Export
Cross-Border Digital Commerce Accelerator
5th edition in 2024. Covers digital channel selection, AI applications, and marketplace strategies including Mercado Libre, Novica, and Alibaba. Includes crossborder e-commerce operations and digital branding.
FORO GO
Latin America's Premier Export Business Summit
Annual two-day summit at Poliforum León. 8th edition (2024): 1,700 participants, 554 business meetings in two days, Carl Lewis as keynote. 13,000+ entrepreneurs impacted across all editions.
Ecosistemas de Prosperidad
Community-Level Export Development
28 municipalities reached, $10M in global product sales. The only proven cross-border digital commerce ecosystem outside China — adapted from Alibaba's e-village model for Guanajuato's rural communities.
Digital Infrastructure
Supplier Platforms
Two publicly accessible platforms — no registration required for international buyers.
GTO Supply
Multi-sector bilingual platform cataloguing Guanajuato's exportable supply across Automotive, Fresh Food, Footwear, Handicrafts, Residential Construction, and Beverages. International buyers submit sourcing requests and access COFOCE executives directly. No registration required.
AutomotiveFresh FoodFootwearHandicraftsConstructionBeverages
Open Platform → GTO Automotive
Sector-specific platform connecting automotive OEM buyers with 500+ vetted Tier 1, 2, and 3 suppliers in Guanajuato's automotive cluster. Includes supplier capability profiles, production data, and direct contact facilitation.
Automotive OEMAuto PartsTier 1Tier 2Tier 3
Open Platform → Key Industries
Export Sectors COFOCE Supports
Guanajuato's five primary export sectors — and how COFOCE facilitates international access to each.
Automotive & Auto Parts
$24.5B
FY 2024
↗ 85.9% to U.S. ($21.09B)
Guanajuato's #1 export sector. Seven OEM plants: GM (Silao), Mazda (Salamanca), Honda (Celaya), Toyota (Apaseo el Grande), Volkswagen, Hino, Ford. COFOCE supports supply chain development through GTO Automotive (500+ suppliers) and CLAUGTO collaboration.
- GTO Automotive platform (500+ suppliers)
- CLAUGTO cluster collaboration
- AOTS Japan supplier development program
Footwear & Leather
~$950M
FY 2024
↗ USMCA 0% tariff advantage
León is the footwear capital of Mexico — 70% of all national footwear production, 40% of global cowboy boot output, 3,400+ manufacturing units, 140,000+ direct jobs. COFOCE works with CICEG via SHOES FROM MÉXICO. In 2025, sold 70,000 pairs of industrial footwear internationally.
- SHOES FROM MÉXICO export platform
- CICEG chamber partnership
- International trade missions
Agrifood & Berries
$1.93B
FY 2024
↗ 10 consecutive years of growth
Guanajuato produces 70% of Mexico's broccoli, is the #1 frozen vegetable exporter nationally, and outputs 80,000 tons/year of strawberries. COFOCE-Driscoll's partnership accelerates berry exports to Japan, U.S., and Europe. 14 companies sent to FOODEX Japan 2025.
- Driscoll's global partnership
- FOODEX Japan trade missions
- Americas Food & Beverage Show
Beverages
Growing
2024–2025
↗ Denomination of Origin — 1 of 7 states
Guanajuato is one of seven Mexican states with tequila denomination of origin. COFOCE promotes a diversified portfolio: tequila (Corralejo, Pénjamo-based), mezcal, craft beer, wine, chocolate liqueur, and artisanal mixers. Active Texas and U.S. market development.
- Buyer matchmaking
- International trade missions
- GTO Supply platform
Handicrafts & Fashion
$10M+ (Ecosistemas)
2024–2025
↗ 28 municipalities activated
COFOCE's 'Exportar Cambia Tu Vida' has helped artisan MSMEs make first international sales. Ecosistemas de Prosperidad generated $10M in global sales from 28 municipalities. Digital channels: Novica (artisan e-commerce), Alibaba, Mercado Libre.
- Novica artisan e-commerce platform
- Ecosistemas de Prosperidad
- Alibaba digital village model
Strategic Alliances
Key Partners & Platforms
COFOCE's effectiveness is amplified by bilateral agreements and alliances spanning platforms, chambers, and global organizations.
🛍️Alibaba
B2B e-commerce access; Digital Village/Ecosistemas de Prosperidad model (since 2019)
📦Amazon
MSME fulfillment shipping center inaugurated in Guanajuato (2022)
🛒Mercado Libre
Cross-border digital sales channel for Guanajuato MSMEs
🍓Driscoll's
Berry sector export development; technical assistance and refrigerated infrastructure for farmers
♀️WeConnect International
WEConnect Women Owned certification for female-led MSMEs competing for global supply contracts
🎨Novica
Artisan e-commerce marketplace for international handicrafts sales
🥾CICEG
Footwear and leather export promotion via SHOES FROM MÉXICO platform
🏭CANACINTRA León
Joint delivery of Nearshoring Now professional certification program
🚗CLAUGTO
Automotive cluster collaboration for OEM supply chain development
🇯🇵AOTS Japan
Automotive supplier development program for Japanese supply chain integration
🌾Sweet Seasons (McAllen TX)
Cross-border agri-export partnership and U.S. market intelligence from Texas
💻Exporta Technologies
B2B digital platform connecting Guanajuato suppliers with U.S. buyers
Women in International Trade
COFOCE's Gender Equity Pillar
731
Women trained in export skills (2025)
7
MSMEs received WEConnect Women Owned certification
28
Women-led companies on COFOCE register
COFOCE has made female economic empowerment a strategic pillar. In 2025: 731 women trained in export skills, 7 MSMEs received WEConnect Women Owned certification enabling them to compete for global corporate supply contracts, and 28 women-led companies active on the COFOCE register.
Trade Environment
COFOCE in the 2025–2026 Context
COFOCE operates in one of the most complex — and most opportunity-rich — cross-border trade environments in a generation.
🤝 USMCA & Tariff Compliance
With ~89% of U.S. imports from Mexico now claiming USMCA tariff exemption (up from ~50% pre-tariff regime), COFOCE's Voz Global webinars and Nearshoring Now diplomado are directly addressing compliance needs. USMCA joint review is scheduled for July 2026.
📋 Mexico 2026 Customs Reform
Mexico's Nueva Era Aduanera 2026 introduces stricter customs rules: brokers share legal liability, penalties extend to multimillion-dollar fines, IMMEX controls tightened. COFOCE's January 2026 seminar directly addresses these changes.
🔗 Nearshoring Momentum
Guanajuato hosts 7 OEM vehicle assembly plants and benefits directly from nearshoring investment. Mexico's FDI reached a record $40.9B in Q3 2025 (+15% YoY), with Guanajuato's Canada market growing 52% in 2025.
Institutional History
30+ Years Transforming Guanajuato's Economy
1992
Founded in León; 150 companies on export register
1992–1995
Register grows from 150 to 400+ companies in three years
Mid-1990s
First international office opened in New York
Late 1990s
Innovation Center for Exports (CIEX) opened; trade statistical system developed
Early 2000s
Citizen participation via sectoral business committees; Logistics Planning Center
~2015
HQ relocated to Puerto Interior, Silao — Guanajuato's premier industrial park
~2016
Second National Export Award — Best Foreign Trade Promotion Agency in Mexico
2017
25th Anniversary; inaugural FORO GO business summit launched
2019
Alibaba partnership formalized; Digital Village Project launched
2020–2021
COVID-era resilience: FORO GO held virtually; e-commerce programs accelerated
2022
30th Anniversary; Amazon shipping center inaugurated; #5 national exporter ranking
2023–2024
Nearshoring Now launched; export register surpasses 2,000 companies for first time
2024
Full-year exports: $36.3 billion — record high (+8.78% YoY)
2025
Jan–Sept exports $30.72B; named territory with most exporting MSMEs in Mexico
Engage with COFOCE
Contact & Resources
All buyer-facing services — supplier identification, visit scheduling, direct introductions, trade accompaniment — are completely free of charge for international buyers.
Director General
Luis Ernesto Rojas Ávila
Phone
Main Website
GTO Supply (Multi-sector buyers)
GTO Automotive (OEM buyers)
Headquarters
Av. Mineral de Valenciana No. 308, Piso 2, Puerto Interior, Silao, Guanajuato, C.P. 36275
Search Questions
Common COFOCE Questions
Is COFOCE a government agency?
Yes. COFOCE is a public decentralized body in Guanajuato with a public-private governance model that supports exporters, MSMEs, and international buyers.
How can U.S. buyers work with COFOCE?
COFOCE offers free supplier identification, introductions, visit scheduling, and trade accompaniment. Buyers can also use GTO Supply and GTO Automotive.
Why is COFOCE important in Guanajuato?
COFOCE is one of the clearest institutional gateways into Guanajuato's export economy, especially for automotive, agrifood, footwear, handicrafts, and beverage sourcing.
Related Resources
COFOCE Topic Cluster
These adjacent pages target the most common COFOCE search intents and reinforce this main profile as the entity hub.
What Is COFOCE?
A dedicated explainer on what COFOCE is, what the acronym means, and why the agency matters in Guanajuato trade.
Open page →COFOCE Programs for Exporters
A focused page on exporter-facing programs, events, training, and digital platforms.
Open page →COFOCE for U.S. Buyers
A buyer-first page covering supplier matchmaking, business agendas, visits, and sourcing support.
Open page →COFOCE vs Federal Trade Agencies
A comparison page clarifying the difference between COFOCE and Mexico's federal trade-promotion architecture.
Open page → Research Transparency
Sources & Methodology
All data sourced from COFOCE official publications, INEGI ETEF, and credentialed trade press. Data current through 2025 (Jan–Sept); FY 2024 full year confirmed.
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COFOCE Official Blog
COFOCE
3
COFOCE About Us
COFOCE
6
COFOCE Resultados 2025 — Consolidando Liderazgo MiPyMEs
Quadratín Bajío
7
Guanajuato Leads 2024 Mexico Auto Exports: $24.5 Billion
Mexico Business News
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