DISPARIDADES REGIONALES EN EL SECTOR MANUFACTURERO MEXICANO.

This paper examines changes in geographical patterns in Mexico's manufacturing sector. Particular attention is paid to transformations that occurred after trade liberalization and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was signed. We use information on manufacturing Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (1970-2004) by state, reviewing state-level shares and densities. The figures reveal the existence of a process of dispersion of total manufacturing GDP in the long term. Although there was greater geographical dispersion after the generalized liberalization program and following the signing of the NAFTA, the relocation of manufacturing was already underway before that. The states bordering the United States were the initial beneficiaries of this decentralization, but the Bajío region states have recently had the largest increases in regional shares of manufacturing GDP. However, it is uncertain whether a significant change has taken place in the dual regional structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]