The Maquiladora Regime (or IMMEX) is designed to promote exports and encourage foreign investment. Maquiladoras are Mexican registered entities that process, transform, assemble or repair imported materials, parts and components into finished goods that are subsequently exported. Maquiladora companies typically are owned by a foreign corporation (often a US company since many maquiladoras are located near the US border) with whom the maquiladora contracts to produce semifinished or finished goods for shipment to the foreign company.