The Diplomat
The Honduran Ministers of Investment Promotion, Miguel Medina, and of Foreign Affairs, Enrique Reina, accompanied by the President of the Honduran Council of Private Enterprise-COHEP, Mateo Yibrín, presented yesterday at the CEOE headquarters in Madrid the opportunities offered by their country as “an excellent business platform in Central America” and highlighted the possibilities of bilateral cooperation in projects of common interest.
The Minister of Investment Promotion informed that the country’s annual growth rate amounts to 3.5% and highlighted the “great logistics of the country thanks to its ports (more than 101); a quality land connection, through different corridors; and an ongoing railroad project to connect several ports in Honduras”. Medina added that his government has also implemented the Promotion and Protection Law, which also contemplates tourism incentives to attract a greater number of investors to the country.
The foreign minister assured that the Honduran government “has reduced institutions, promoted transparency and justice, and has introduced improvements in the legal framework”. Reina also emphasized that “the Association Agreement with the European Union is very important, since it has achieved a surplus of Honduran products”.
Sectors identified for investment in Honduras include renewable energy, infrastructure, tourism, textiles, and agribusiness. Each of these sectors, according to Mateo Yibrín, represents an opportunity to capitalize on the country’s strengths. The COHEP president cited as examples that the renewable energy sector takes advantage of the diversity of natural resources; infrastructure and tourism benefit from the strategic geographic location; and textiles and agribusiness are favored by a skilled and adaptable workforce.
The event was opened by the Secretary of State for Trade, Xiana Méndez; the Vice-President of CEOE, Íñigo Fernández de Mesa, and the Director General of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, Inmaculada Riera. The event was presented and moderated by the CEOE International General Director and CEIB Permanent Secretary, Narciso Casado.