# Presentation: 080337

## Honduras

- International Sales Close to HomeTrade Americas Conference - DenverApril 2006

## Honduras - Political

- President Manuel “Mel” Zelaya (Liberal Party) – 2006-08
- Continuance of pro-market, Maduro-initiated economic policies
- Changes in all diplomatic missions and relatively deep into most GOH ministries
- CAFTA: In-force as of April 1, 2006, joining on same day as Nicaragua
- Millennium Challenge Corp.; Debt Forgiveness

## Honduras - Economy

- Competitive labor costs
- U.S. accounts for 50% of all foreign trade
- Maquiladora industry accounts for 15% of GDP and 11% of exports
- Developing tourism: Copan Ruins; Bay Islands
- “Dual” currencies – Lempira & U.S. Dollar

## Honduras - Commercial

- Puerto Cortes largest port in Central America
- Container Security Initiative / U.S. Customs Presence
- Free Trade Zones in SPS
- U.S. has 40% of FDI in Honduras
- 2 Key Cities – San Pedro Sula, Tegucigalpa
- Major Projects – MCC-related (Roads, etc.); others

## Honduras - Challenges

- Gang violence
- Security
- Unemployment / underemployment
- Corruption
- Judiciary / transparency
- Education levels
- Healthcare
- Investment attraction

## Opportunities: Best Prospect Industries

-  Automotive parts and service equipment
-  Food processing/packaging eq.; Processed foods
-  Electric power generation / distribution equipment
-  Hotel and restaurant equipment
-  Franchising
-  Security and safety equipment and services
-  Telecommunications
-  Construction equipment
-  Textile machinery/fabrics
-  Computers/peripherals/software/IT services

## Central America -Regional Industry Sectors

- Apparel, Textiles & Equip
- Automotive Parts and Service Equip
- Information Technologies
- Infrastructure and Construction

- Food Processing & Packaging
- Franchising
- Hotel & Restaurant Equip
- Medical Equip & Pharmaceuticals
- Telecom Equip & Services

##        Events – Central America

**Secretary of Commerce CAFTA Trade Mission****	****	****Oct. 2005**
**USTDA Definitional Missions (Energy, Transport, IT)****	****Various**
**ExpoManufactura (NAFTA-CAFTA), Monterrey****	****Mar. 2006**
**CAFTA Summit, Houston, TX****	****	****	****	****Apr. 2006**
**Western Hemisphere SCO Conference, Denver****	****	****May 2006**
**Enterprise Florida Trade Mission, Guatemala****	****	****May 2006**
**US Chamber/TradeRoots/Alabama Mission, Guat/Sal****	****May 2006**
**Central America Retail Promotion****	****	****	****Late 2006**
** **

## Central America Int’l  Buyer Program Events 

**Waste Expo IBP, Las Vegas****	****	****	****	****April**
**Food Marketing Institute (FMI) IBP, Chicago****	****May**
**National Hardware Show IBP, Las Vegas****	****	****May**
**National Restaurant Association IBP, Chicago****	****May**
**Int’l Franchise Expo IBP, Washington, DC****	****	****June**
**Clinical Laboratory Expo IBP, Orlando****	****	****July**
**MAGIC International IBP (Apparel), Las Vegas****	****August**
**World of Concrete IBP, Las Vegas****	****	****	****January**
**AAIW Auto Industry Week IBP, Las Vegas****	****	****November**
** **

## CONTACTS

- Central America – Dan Thompson
- 	_[daniel](mailto:daniel.thompson@mail.doc.gov)__[.](mailto:daniel.thompson@mail.doc.gov)__[thompson](mailto:daniel.thompson@mail.doc.gov)__[@mail.doc.](mailto:daniel.thompson@mail.doc.gov)__[gov](mailto:daniel.thompson@mail.doc.gov)_
- Costa Rica/Nicaragua – Jim McCarthy
- 	_[james](mailto:james.mccarthy@mail.doc.gov)__[.mccarthy@mail.doc.gov](mailto:james.mccarthy@mail.doc.gov)_
- Guatemala/Honduras – Mitch Larsen
- 	_[mitch](mailto:mitch.larsen@mail.doc.gov)__[.larsen@mail.doc.gov](mailto:mitch.larsen@mail.doc.gov)_
- El Salvador – Mary Boscia
- 	_[mary](mailto:mary.boscia@mail.doc.gov)__[.boscia@mail.doc.gov](mailto:mary.boscia@mail.doc.gov)_