Zacatecas Adds US$9 Million for Business Financing

The government of Zacatecas, through the Ministry of Economy and the Zacatecas Silver Fund Trust (Fondo Plata), has signed a collaboration agreement with the Trusts Established in Connection with Agriculture (FIRA) to allocate an additional US$9 million to business financing, bringing the total funding to US$18.1 million, according to the state administration.

Jorge Miranda Castro, Zacatecas’ Secretary of Economy, and Jesús Alán Elizondo Flores, FIRA’s Director General, led the signing of the agreement, which will ensure the continuation of the Medium-Sized Business Financing Program (PROEM).

Miranda Castro explained that, through Fondo Plata, the state government will contribute an additional US$535,045 to a guarantee fund. This contribution is expected to generate 17 times its value in financing capacity, providing guarantees for business loans issued through financial intermediaries.

Elizondo Flores noted that, following the agreement signed with Fondo Plata in June 2025, US$9.2 million had been mobilized through 86 loans benefiting 15 local companies.

The collaboration is part of FIRA’s national strategy, which includes 27 agreements under the PROEM program. In Zacatecas, the institution has signed two agreements with the state government: one with the Ministry of Economy through Fondo Plata and another with the Ministry of Agriculture.

He indicated the resources should expand opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises involved in agribusiness, the marketing of agricultural and livestock products, food services, agri-food supply, and mining-related supply chains

The resources are expected to expand financing opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises operating in agribusiness, the marketing of agricultural and livestock products, food services, agri-food supply chains, and mining-related supply chains.

In addition, FIRA’s Rural Financing Program provides funding for productive activities and services in communities with fewer than 50,000 residents, subject to eligibility criteria.

The newly signed agreement establishes loan amounts ranging from US$69,556 to US$1.7 million per borrower to finance investments in machinery and equipment, facility upgrades, and production capacity expansion.

Elizondo Flores stated that FIRA has approximately US$96.8 million in outstanding financing in Zacatecas.