Liberia, March 2025. Dozens of women entrepreneurs from Guanacaste gathered on Thursday, March 20, to celebrate the fourth anniversary of Mujeres BAC (BAC Women), an initiative that strengthens the economic growth of women in the country, and in the case of Guanacaste, in key sectors such as tourism, gastronomy and livestock.
The heart of the event was the forum “Together: For you, for us, and for those to come,” which included dialogue and analysis on the role of women in the regional economy and the challenges that still remain on their path toward business fairness.
The speakers were Ana Laura Vega, a representative of the Foreign Trade Promoter (Spanish acronym: Procomer); Antonieta Chaverri, event moderator and executive director of Voces Vitales (Vital Voices); Elsa Bonilla, director of the Creciendo Juntos (Growing Together) Association; and Rebeca Álvarez, director of the Guanacaste Chamber of Tourism.
They all emphasized that entrepreneurship is a task they accomplish while simultaneously shouldering multiple responsibilities, which makes creating an environment that supports their growth an urgent need. They also agreed on the need to create collaborative networks and alliances that allow the women of Guanacaste to focus on their businesses without having their development limited by household chores.
Antonieta Chaverri, executive director of Voces Vitales, underscored the importance of recognizing the diversity of Guanacaste’s women and challenging the stereotypes that limit their growth.
Vega, the representative from Procomer, presented data that highlights the gender gap in the country’s business sector. One of the figures that reflects the persistent challenges is that only 12% of service export companies in Costa Rica are led by women, thus revealing an unequal landscape in international commerce.
Vega also highlighted that the Chorotega Region contributes 6% of national exports, establishing its position as the fourth most important region in this area. These numbers demonstrate the opportunity for businesswomen in Guanacaste to enter global markets.
To alleviate existing inequalities, BAC’s vice president of corporate relations, Laura Moreno, emphasized the importance of a comprehensive approach to ensure the success of female entrepreneurs, in this way demonstrating the private sector’s commitment to financial inclusion.
She explained, “access to financing is key, but true change occurs with comprehensive support,” and she pointed to the many possibilities offered by BAC, such as training, financial education and leadership platforms. “In addition to forums like the BAC Women’s Markets, which allow female entrepreneurs to market their products directly to customers,” she added.
The impact of these efforts is reflected in stories like that of Patricia Montero, a rancher and beneficiary of the BAC Women’s program. She enthusiastically shared her experience of how this program has been key to breaking down barriers in a sector historically dominated by men.
“The livestock industry has traditionally been led by men, and breaking that barrier has been a challenge. Thanks to Mujeres BAC, we have lost our fear, gained knowledge and demonstrated that we can also lead in this sector. Many female colleagues had doubts about taking that step, but when they saw that it is possible to get financing, learn about management and participate in marketing opportunities, they have dared to undertake it and make themselves heard in an environment that seemed inaccessible before.”
BAC, in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy, Industry, and Commerce (MEIC) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, promotes the growth of women’s business ventures in Guanacaste. As part of this commitment, a group of 20 female ranchers from the Chorotega Region receive free training and advice on leadership, empowerment and finance, providing them with key tools to strengthen their work and access new opportunities. These actions are part of the National Financial Education Strategy, led by MEIC, which seeks to reduce structural barriers so that more women entrepreneurs can expand their businesses and access markets.
However, challenges remain that require joint action between the private sector, the government and civic groups. Restricted access to credit, a lack of support networks and sociocultural barriers continue to be obstacles that limit the development of many women. Meetings like this not only raise awareness about these challenges but also facilitate the discussion of solutions and strategies to effectively address them.
With initiatives like Mujeres BAC, the bank reaffirms its role as a strategic ally in Guanacaste’s economic development. Beyond offering financial services, BAC promotes women’s financial autonomy and provides them with tools to establish and expand their businesses. With a vision for the future and a firm commitment to equity, the entity continues to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem for women, ensuring that opportunities are fair and accessible to all.
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