In the retail world, they say that success depends on three factors: location, location, location. Well, this idea, almost a mantra in retail, is one of the key factors in the competitiveness of countries (and over which they have no control). This may partly explain Mexico's relative success as Latin America's leading as an exporter of high technology. Its proximity to the US, the world's largest market, certainly helps. While Latin America is beginning to make some headway in this area, Mexico is clearly leading the pack. Not only is it ranked ranked 12th globally as a high-tech exporter. Its exports are five times those of the rest of Latin America.

See it in this chart: