Why Honduras?
Free trade and association agreements along with agreements on the reciprocal promotion and protection of investments have helped the country establish productive relations with different markets in Europe, Asia, North and South America. World renowned companies have discovered Honduras to be in perfect position as a supplier of high quality products and services in various sectors and as a country with great potential for their investments.
Strategic Location
- Honduras is in the heart of the Americas
- Only two hours by air and 48 to 72 hours by sea to the U.S.
- Near the manufacturing centers of North America and the largest market in the world.
- Honduras serves as a distribution platform for Central America.
- Among the lowest logistical costs in the region.
Modern Infrastructure
- Ongoing rapid improvement and expansion of the country’s physical and communications infrastructure.
- Privatization of the telecommunications sector and the full opening of the energy sector have attracted investors and improved services.
- Honduras’ six seaports on its two coasts — five ports on the Caribbean (Puerto Cortés, Tela, La Ceiba, Puerto Castillo and Roatán) and one on the Pacific (Amapala) — provide ocean access to markets worldwide.
- More than 300 companies, mostly involved in light assembly, operate in Private Industrial Parks, an industrial model which has run successfully for more than 20 years
- Free Zones, enjoying tax-exempt status in many categories, can be established anywhere in the country.
- Construction of the Inter-Oceanic Corridor will improve the connection between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans via an excellent highway
- Puerto Cortés is the only deep water port in Central America, and one of the region’s largest and best equipped.
- The only port in Latin America to qualify for both U.S. government port security initiatives, the Container Security Initiative (CSI) and its Megaports Initiative.
- With 24-hour service, modern roll-on and roll-off and containerized facilities.
- With sophisticated container-handling equipment ensuring efficiency and competitive shipping costs to the U.S.
- With shorter screening times and procedures.
Pro-Investment Democratic Government
- Honduras is governed by a democratic system with solid institutions, a transparent legal system, and political and social stability since 1982.
- Laws that protect and promote foreign investment provide export-oriented companies fiscal and legal incentives highly favorable to investment.
- Permanent tax exemption in several categories.
- Any part of Honduras can be an Industrial Processing Zone/Free Zone where companies are exempt of all taxes.
Dynamic Work Force
- A young work force composed of nearly 2.9 million.
- 10 universities throughout the country that graduate educated professionals.
- Among the lowest labor costs in the region.
- Availability of qualified bilingual personnel, a product of more than 150 bilingual institutions, many of them certified by the Southern Association of Colleges and Universities of the United States.
- The availability of young technicians trained at local institutions, including the new regional textile university in San Pedro Sula which will soon offer training in electronics
- A multitude of training programs provided to employees by their companies
Direct Access to Key Markets
- Honduras is an integral partner in the North American manufacturing system, thanks to CAFTA-DR and other trade agreements.
- Free-trade agreements with the U.S., Mexico, Taiwan, Columbia, Chile, Dominican Republic and the Central American Integration System (SICA). An Association Agreement with the European Union has recently been approved.
- Honduras also benefits from preferential tariffs through the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) with Japan, Canada, Australia and Europe.
- Negotiations for free-trade status are underway with Canada and CARICOM.
Emerging Business Sectors
- In traditional sectors, such as agriculture, textiles and tourism.
- In value-added industries, including agribusiness, sustainable tourism, light manufacturing and business services.
- A flexible manufacturing sector, capable of exporting in varying scales, supported by a favorable tax and customs code.
- A growing services sector, especially in call centers and BPOs.
- A tourism sector that attracts international travelers.
- A forestry industry that supplies a wide variety of non-traditional wood species.
- 32 million hectares (80 million survey acres) at highly competitive prices, with diverse climates, valleys irrigated by rivers and also with a large potential for low irrigation agriculture.
