Cancun, Q.R. — The federal government says the official construction site for an up-and-coming financial and technology district has not yet been determined. In April, Governor Mara Lezama announced her government’s intention to build the district across 100 hectares southwest of the Cancun airport.
However, on Tuesday, President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo said the financial district will only be authorized for construction on already developed land. She stated that the location has not yet been determined and that authorization is unlikely for a site in unspoiled jungle.
In April, Governor Lezama announced building a financial district in Cancun to diversify local investments. On Tuesday, Sheinbaum stressed that permits have not been granted because the facility must be built in an area that has already been developed rather than on undeveloped land.
“She wants to build and is seeking the necessary permits for a financial centre in Cancun, a financial hub, and there are several investors interested in participating,” Sheinbaum said.
“The location has not been approved. It could be situated in an area that has already been developed. It is unlikely to be authorized in a jungle area because that jungle needs to be preserved. So, the site for the development has not yet been approved,” she clarified.
The President considers it a good project for attracting development to the region provided there is no negative environmental impact.
“Her idea is to go beyond the ‘sun and beach’ tourism model and introduce other elements that can draw visitors to the area such as financial tourism, financial conferences, and so on. But the location has not yet been approved,” she clarified.
“She (Lezama) mentioned it to me the last time we met with Alicia Bárcena. She was telling me exactly which area was being considered for this development. She is proposing alternative sites because a jungle area cannot simply be turned into a financial district. So, the location is not yet defined.
“The project is good in terms of regional development, but obviously, it depends on the location,” she explained.
The initial plan was to develop the new financial district near the future expansion of Huayacán Avenue, however, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) has proposed relocating the future Financial and Technological District planned for Cancun.
Sheinbaum explained that she recently spoke with Alicia Bárcena , head of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat), who informed her that alternative sites are being evaluated for the financial centre.
The newly proposed locations for the up-and-coming financial and technology district have not been made public.
