Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce Recognizes Women’s Contribution to Business Development

(Carolina, Puerto Rico – March 5, 2026). The Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce (CCPR) brought together a group of women entrepreneurs to highlight the impact and leadership of women in the business sector during the celebration of its traditional Enterprise Women’s Forum 2026.

The event, held at the Royal Sonesta Isla Verde, gathered leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals with the goal of offering educational workshops, encouraging the exchange of professional experiences, and strengthening support networks that promote female leadership in business.

“The Enterprise Women’s Forum is a strategic platform to recognize the value, preparation, and leadership capacity of women entrepreneurs. From the Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce, we continue creating spaces that strengthen their professional development and promote an increasingly active and equitable participation in the country’s economy,” said the president of the Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce, attorney Margaret Ramírez Báez.

She added that the event was aimed at women who lead, transform, and rise every day to drive change in Puerto Rico through their initiatives and contributions. “As long as wage and leadership gaps still exist, we must promote affirmative actions that allow us to open those doors. We cannot demand spaces if we are not prepared to occupy them. It is also essential that we support each other and help other women move forward,” the president emphasized.

Meanwhile, the executive director of the Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce, attorney Liza M. García, highlighted the active role women are playing in the country’s economic development.

“We are leading together, exporting professional services, investing in Puerto Rico, and generating new opportunities. During Women’s Week, it is important to recognize how far we have come. Today we are occupying the spaces we deserve and, more importantly, we are collaborating with one another,” García stated.

The Country’s Economic Reality

The presentations began with the talk “Business and Women: Current Situation and Opportunities for Women Entrepreneurs,” delivered by attorney Chantal Benet Arbona, COO and economist at Inteligencia Económica. She provided an analysis of Puerto Rico’s current economic landscape and its impact on the business environment, along with projections and recommendations for the coming years.

“Among the positive factors is that the population remains at 3.2 million inhabitants; it has not declined contrary to what had been projected. In addition, tourism continues to grow, investments under Act 60 of Puerto Rico are still arriving — representing new capital — and an economic collapse is not expected in the short term. We have also observed an increase in median income and inflation that has not grown at the pace many anticipated,” Benet explained.

According to her, moderate economic growth is projected for the coming years, with no signs of significant contraction.

“There are opportunities for women entrepreneurs. We are seeing improvements in the service sector and growth in industries such as the creative sector. My recommendation is to protect cash flow, increase productivity, and avoid competing solely on price; employees can also be retained through intangible benefits,” the economist noted.

Regarding external challenges, she mentioned factors such as tariffs, limited legislation encouraging local production, cuts and reorganization within the federal government, high interest rates, geopolitical tensions affecting the cost of living, and political uncertainty. Among internal challenges, she highlighted the high cost of doing business in Puerto Rico, the absence of a comprehensive tax reform, labor market volatility, energy costs, and dependence on federal funds that may face potential reductions.

Panel Discussion: Stories of Passion, Resilience, and Leadership

The panel discussion moderated by Ramírez and Romina Navas, president of Hyundai de Rexville, featured Deborah Martorell, meteorologist; Joanna Marie Bauzá González, president & CEO of The Cervantes Group; CPA Maritza Abadía, president of Banesco USA in Puerto Rico; Ángela Weyne, CPA and former Insurance Commissioner of Puerto Rico; María de los Ángeles Virella, president of WorldNet Telecommunications; and Migdalia Figueroa, president and general manager of Telemundo Puerto Rico.

Regarding the needs of women entrepreneurs, Abadía emphasized the key role of the private sector in improving the Island’s economic outlook. Figueroa echoed this view, urging that responsibility should not be left solely to the government.

“The media also have a responsibility to help build Puerto Rico, along with the private sector. It is not only the government’s responsibility,” Figueroa emphasized.

Virella spoke about the importance of creating projects that provide tools for people facing economic challenges so they can move forward independently, while Bauzá highlighted the need for private companies to adapt to changing times and collaborate to achieve necessary changes.

“For me, the greatest challenge has been precisely being a woman and managing diverse responsibilities as a professional, wife, and mother, but there is no greater commitment than serving Puerto Rico,” Martorell commented.

The forum agenda also included presentations by Desirée Maldonado, financial consultant at Popular Securities, and Luis Fernando Rivera Alameda, CEO of Anexo Puerto Rico, who presented “Technological Mindset (AI, Digitalization)” on the challenges and opportunities technological innovation brings to female leadership. In addition, Héctor Millán, speaker and co-founder of A Otro Nivel Enterprise, spoke on “Productivity and Profitability for Business Growth.”

The event concluded with a luncheon and conference on Corporate Image and Strategic Communication, delivered by Vanessa Marzán Toro, president of Comm4Success, followed by recognition of Puerto Rican women who have made a lasting impact and left a legacy.

About the Chamber of Commerce:

The Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit organization with a business-oriented perspective that represents a wide range of commercial and industrial sectors—whether large or small enterprises—with multisectoral representation aimed at strengthening economic development and progress. Its mission is grounded in the principles of free enterprise to ensure business certainty and improve the quality of life for all Puerto Ricans.
The organization also serves as the voice of business in Puerto Rico, representing all commercial, industrial, and professional activities, as well as those that form the fundamental base of the Puerto Rican economy.For more information, visit camarapr.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

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