Zero-Interest Loans Offered to Boost Small Businesses in Southern Quintana Roo
Chetumal, Quintana Roo — The state Economic Development Department has set aside 3 million pesos ($150,000) to provide zero-interest loans to small and medium-sized businesses in southern Quintana Roo, officials announced Wednesday.
Paul Carrillo de Cáceres, head of the department, said the program targets emerging businesses in the municipalities of Chetumal, Bacalar, Felipe Carrillo Puerto and José María Morelos. The region needs economic diversification, he said, and small businesses account for 70% of the state’s economy.
The initiative began in the state capital and has already disbursed 60 loans. Due to high demand, authorities expanded it to other jurisdictions.
Each loan offers up to 220,000 pesos ($11,000) at zero interest, with a six-month grace period before the first payment is due. Borrowers can use the funds for working capital, store renovations or essential equipment.
Laura Castillo covers tourism, business, and economic development across Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and the wider Riviera Maya for Riviera Maya News & Events. She tracks the region's most important business stories — from hotel investments and airline route expansions to real estate market trends and local economic policy — helping English-speaking readers stay informed about the economic pulse of Mexico's Caribbean coast.Laura has been reporting on Quintana Roo's tourism sector since 2020, closely monitoring developments in Cancun's hotel zone, Tulum's rapidly growing commercial corridor, and the evolving business landscape in Playa del Carmen. Her coverage includes corporate investments, employment trends, infrastructure projects, and the economic impact of events like sargassum seasons and hurricane preparation.Before joining Riviera Maya News & Events, Laura worked in business development and market analysis in the Riviera Maya region, giving her first-hand insight into how tourism, real estate, and local commerce intersect. She is fluent in English and Spanish.For story tips: laura@rivieramayanews.mx
