The Baja California Sur state government signed a collaboration agreement with Banco Santander México on March 21 in La Paz, creating a package of financial tools for small businesses and 5,000 professional training scholarships worth an estimated 17.5 million pesos (about $875,000 USD).
José Saúl González Núñez, the state’s secretary general of government, led the signing ceremony. Sandra Carrillo López, Santander’s Northwest regional director for individuals and SMEs, represented the bank. The deal targets the state’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MiPyMEs), which account for more than 90% of all economic units in Baja California Sur.
Financial Tools for Small Businesses
Under the agreement, Santander will provide no-cost financial solutions and competitiveness tools to BCS businesses across the social, productive, and educational sectors. Governor Víctor Manuel Castro Cosío met separately with Santander executives and recognized the bank’s willingness to collaborate on agriculture, tourism, MiPyMEs support, and urban infrastructure development.
Claudia Elena Meza de la Toba, the deputy secretary general, and Alonso Gutiérrez Martínez, the deputy secretary of the economy, also attended the signing. State officials described the deal as a strategic alliance to strengthen economic development across the peninsula’s southern state.
5,000 Training Scholarships in AI and Leadership
The scholarship component will fund 5,000 professional training spots for students and entrepreneurs in BCS. Courses will cover artificial intelligence, leadership, innovation, and project development, offered in partnership with internationally recognized universities through Santander’s education platforms.
At roughly 3,500 pesos (about $175 USD) per scholarship, the program is designed to fill a gap in professional development options that are otherwise scarce in the state. Both students and business owners are eligible.
Application Details Still Pending
The state government has not yet published details on how to apply for the scholarships or access the financial tools. Announcements are expected through official BCS government channels and Santander’s Northwest regional offices. González Núñez said the state remains committed to working with the private sector to expand opportunity in BCS.
The Santander deal comes weeks after the state launched “Emprende Joven BCS,” a separate program offering loans of up to 150,000 pesos and training for entrepreneurs aged 18 to 29 in La Paz and Los Cabos. Together, the two initiatives represent a push by the state to address economic development and reduce out-migration from the peninsula.
This story was first reported by the Baja California Sur state government press office at bcs.gob.mx.