Background on the Business Council and its Relevance
The Consejo de Organismos Empresariales (COE) in Puebla, Mexico, is a prominent business council representing over 1,500 members. The council plays a crucial role in fostering economic growth and development within the region. Its president, César Bonilla Yunes, has set an ambitious goal for the council to generate 3,500 new jobs by 2026.
Current Achievements and Challenges
In 2025, the COE successfully helped create around 2,000 jobs among its members. These positions remain active, demonstrating the council’s commitment to job growth. However, the current economic climate presents challenges for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Puebla.
Access to Loans and Financing
Bonilla Yunes emphasized that many SMEs require loans to sustain their businesses, particularly during the traditionally slow “cuesta de enero” (January slump). He noted that high-interest rates from banks make it difficult for these businesses to secure the necessary capital.
Government Support and Loan Requirements
To address this issue, the COE is urging state and federal governments to relax loan requirements. Bonilla Yunes stated that out of ten businesses seeking loans, four are in need of financial assistance. He believes that loan amounts should exceed 50,000 pesos to be worthwhile, as smaller loans of 20,000 pesos are insufficient for most businesses.
Target Industries and Job Creation
The majority of businesses seeking loans belong to the retail and food service sectors, according to Bonilla Yunes. These industries are vital to Puebla’s economy, and their growth directly impacts employment rates.
Job Security and Future Prospects
Despite the initial hurdles at the start of each year, Bonilla Yunes highlighted that overall sales improved in 2025. Nevertheless, businesses still grapple with covering essential expenses such as water, electricity, property taxes, and employee salaries.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the COE, and why is it important? The Consejo de Organismos Empresariales (COE) is a business council in Puebla, Mexico, representing over 1,500 members. It plays a significant role in promoting economic growth and development within the region.
- What is the COE’s job creation goal? The COE aims to generate 3,500 new jobs by 2026.
- What challenges do SMEs face in Puebla? Small and medium-sized enterprises struggle with accessing affordable loans due to high-interest rates from banks, making it difficult for them to sustain operations during slow periods.
- What sectors does the COE primarily support? The majority of businesses seeking loans belong to the retail and food service sectors, which are crucial to Puebla’s economy.
- How has the COE contributed to job growth? In 2025, the COE helped create around 2,000 jobs among its members, with many of these positions remaining active.
