Honduras WT/TPR/S/120
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IV. TRADE POLICIES BY SECTOR
(1) OVERVIEW
1. Sectors such as the maquila  industry and telecommunications have been dynamic, whereas
growth in the majority of other economic sector s has been slow.  This could be the result of
weaknesses in the formulation or implementation of economic policies, including the focus on an
export promotion strategy, or it could reflect statistical problems, for example, how to assess theimportance of the informal sector, which has meant that Honduras' economic activity has been
underestimated (see Chapter I).
2. The agricultural sector continues to be of vital importance for Honduras' development:  even
though it only accounts for only one quarter of GDP, it is one of the main sources of foreign currency
and employment in Honduras.  In response to several natural disasters (particularly hurricane Mitch)and the adverse conditions affecting certain products on international markets, a financing and debt
remission package for agricultural producers has been adopted.  Moreover, in October 2002, the
Government created the Honduran Agricultural Round Table, a consultation mechanism bringing
together the public, private and farming sectors with the aim of developing a strategic plan containing
measures to overcome the structural problems facing the sector.  Tariff protection in the agriculturalsector is above the average.
3. The manufacturing sector accounts for some 15 per cent of Honduras' total GDP.  Textiles
and clothing and leather articles were the branch of industrial activity that had the highest average rate
of growth between 1997 and 2002.  This is the result of Honduras' industrial policy, which is
particularly advantageous to enterprises situated in free-trade or industrial zones, the majority of
which manufacture clothing.  The level of tariff protection given to the manufacturing sector is fairly
low, although some branches of manufacturing enjoy greater protection as a result of tariff escalation.In May 2002, the Government launched a national competitiveness programme, a mechanism
intended to coordinate, propose and implement measures to enhance productivity and the competitive
capacity of Honduran enterprises and improve the climate in which they operate.
4. The services sector is becoming increasingly important in Honduras and provides over half of
the GDP.  In recent years, Honduras has made efforts to reform certain essential services, particularlyelectricity and telecommunications, but problems remain concerning the quality of the service and its
cost.  Although new statutes have been adopted in order to encourage more competition in
telecommunications and electricity, the privatization programmes planned have not been put into
effect;  State monopolies continue to play a lead ing role and the State communications enterprise
makes a sizeable contribution to financing the public deficit.  The banking sector went through anextremely difficult period, following which new and more stringent regulations were introduced.
Nevertheless, the sector remains institutionally weak;  the cost of financial intermediation is high and
is a burden on Honduras.
5. Honduras has bound commitments for only four of the 12 services categories;  under the
WTO's General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS);  Honduras' Schedule of SpecificCommitments also includes a series of horizontal restrictions on foreign investment.  The reform of
the regulatory system in recent years has mean t that the limited commitments assumed by Honduras
under the GATS do not reflect the current higher level of liberalization in services.  Strengthening
these commitments would make the Honduran legal regi me more predictable and could help to attract
foreign investment, as well as underpinning the modernization of a number of essential sectors in
order to meet Honduras' development expectations.WT/TPR/S/120 Trade Policy Review
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(2) AGRICULTURAL AND LIVESTOCK SECTOR
(i) Main features
6. Although the economic importance of the agricultural and livestock sector in Honduras has
declined considerably since 1996, it continues to be of the utmost importance as regards production,
trade and employment.  The sector's performance is closely linked to an improvement in living
standards as some 80 per cent of the rural population are still living in poverty.  In 2002, theagricultural sector (including hunting, forestry and fishing) accounted for some 23 per cent of GDP in
constant terms, 66 per cent of total exports (excluding exports from free-trade zones), and employed
38 per cent of the working population.  Agricultural activities generate 62.6 per cent of the value
added in the Honduran agricultural and livestock sector.  The rest is made up of cattle breeding
(10.1 per cent), poultry farming (8.9 per cent), forestry (7.8 per cent), fishing (7.1 per cent) and otheractivities such as bee keeping and hunting (3.5 per cent).
7. There is little diversification in the sector.  Four crops – bananas, coffee, maize and sugar
cane – account for around half the value added in the agricultural sector.  Nevertheless, some sectors
have become more important, particularly poultry farming and fishing.
8. Coffee and bananas not only generate the most agricultural value added but are also the major
agricultural exports, even though their economic importance in Honduran trade has declined in recent
years.  In 1990, coffee and bananas accounted for almost two-thirds of exports of goods, in 1995 they
only corresponded to 46.2 per cent, and in 2001 to 27.5 per cent.  Exports of some products such as
melon and shrimps have increased rapidly in recent years.  Honduras also exports timber, sugar and
tobacco, although the share of each of these products in Honduras' total exports does not exceed 3 per
cent.  Honduran imports of agricultural products only accounted for just over 18 per cent of total
imports in 2001.
9. In Honduras, the surface area used for agriculture covers 1.68 million hectares, divided into
some 317,200 units.  Just under 75 per cent of these units cover less than 5 hectares and account for
12 per cent of the cultivated area.  A further 12 per cent is composed of units of 500 hectares or more,
which represent less than 1 per cent of the total units.
10. In 1998, hurricane Mitch seriously damaged the Honduran agricultural sector.  One estimate
calculates the loss to be US$2,052 million, of which US$1,067 million correspond to damage to assets
(soil, facilities) and US$24.7 million to damage to the irrigation and drainage infrastructure.  The
remainder covers damage to production, mainly bananas and, to a lesser extent, staple grains, coffee,
African palm, sugar cane, and milk.
1
11. The proportion of agricultural loans in total lending fell from 19 per cent in 1990 to 11 per
cent in 2001.2  In 2002, new bank loans to the agricultural sector amounted to L4,760 million (around
US$286 million at the average exchange rate in 2002).  The debt owed to private banks by Honduran
farmers is approximately US$125 million, while agricultural loans deemed irrecoverable amount to
around US$4 million.
                                                     
1 Government of Honduras (undated), Master Plan Plan Maestro de Reconstruccíon y Transformación
Nacional , available at:  http://rds.org.hn/estocolmo.
2  The data on agricultural loans in this paragraph are taken from:  Economic Commission for Latin
America and the Caribbean (2003), Istmo Centroamericano:  Evoluión del sector agropercuario , 2001-2002,
document LC/MEX/L.550, 6 February.Honduras WT/TPR/S/120
Page 77
(ii) Policy objectives and instruments
12. According to the Government of Honduras, the following are some of the problems faced by
agricultural producers:  legal insecurity, particularly in relation to land ownership;  the prevalence of
anti-competitive practices in some sectors;  limited access to sources of financing, especially in the
case of small producers;  low productivity of the labour force;  inadequate infrastructure;  absence of
mechanisms to limit the risks caused by natural disasters;  insufficient standardization as regardsweights and measures and ignorance of quality standards;  lack of access to appropriate technologies
and limited availability of high-quality technical assistance programmes;  limited access to markets
for products and to inputs;  and the deterioration of natural resources.
13. Article 17 of the Law on Solidarity with Farmers (Decree No.81-2002 of 23 April 2002)
provides that the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, in coordination with institutions andorganizations in the agricultural and livestock sector, should prepare an agricultural and development
policy.  In response to this provision, in Oct ober 2002, the Honduran Agricultural Round Table was
set up as a consultation mechanism for the public , private and farming sectors, with the aim of
developing a national strategy for agrarian and environmental transformation, protected areas and land
use planning that includes short-, medium- and long-term measures to overcome the sector'sproblems.
14. On the basis of the findings of the Agricultural Round Table, the Government drew up a Plan
for the Strengthening of the Rural Economy (P LANFER), which includes measures to be
implemented in the short-term (2003-2006).  The fo llowing are the areas covered by the PLANFER:
markets and trade negotiations;  agricultural and livestock health and food safety;  technological
innovation, diversification and value added;  education, training and development of businesses in the
agrofood sector;  agricultural and rural financing, attracting investment and risk management;  ruraland irrigation infrastructure;  sustainability of natural resources;  land ownership;  gender equality;
and institutional development.
15. Between 1998 and mid-2001, US$397.8 million were allocated to programmes for the
reconstruction of production units and the irrigation and land transport infrastructure damaged by
hurricane Mitch.  Because of the uncreditworthiness of part of the agricultural sector, at least 22 percent of this amount has had to be channelled to debt financing and restructuring programmes.  The
National Congress therefore adopted Decrees Nos. 28-2000 and 32-2001, under which
US$85.3 million were earmarked to restructure the debt of 4,818 agricultural producers.
3
16. The restructuring of the agricultural sector's debt extended into the years 2002 and 2003.  In
mid-2003, the Law on the Financial Strengthening of Agricultural Producers (Decree No. 68-2003)was adopted with the objective of amalgamating the previous decrees on financing for this sector
(Decrees Nos. 28-2000, 32-2001 and 81-2002).  The new Law set up a fund of L4,000 million
(approximately US$228.7 million at the exchange rate prevailing in June 2003) to help some 13,000
farmers.  Of this amount, L2,000 million would be used for remission of 50 per cent of the debt
incurred by producers under the previous legislation in support of the sector and the remainingL2,000 million would be used to restructure the other 50 per cent of the debt by extending the time
limits by up to 10 years and lowering the interest rate to 8.7 per cent.
17. In addition to the resources allocated to programmes for debt financing and restructuring in
the rural sector and for rebuilding production units and the infrastructure, since 1998 various
programmes have been implemented to boost agricultural output through "structural transformations
                                                     
3 Ministry of the Presidency (no date), Informes de avance a tres años del Mitch .WT/TPR/S/120 Trade Policy Review
Page 78
in the production process, resource conservation of resources [and] risk prevention and mitigation".4
Almost 40 per cent of the US$466.6 million allocated to these programmes between 1998 and mid-
2001 were funds for the implementation of the National Sustainable Rural Development Programme
(PRONADERS), whose goal is "to help to improve living standards in rural communities through
human, social, environmental and production development".5  By means of projects that focus on rural
communities with the highest poverty indices in H onduras, the PRONADERS aims  to facilitate their
access to financial services and markets for agricultural products, technologies and the production and
basic social infrastructure.  It also aims to promote and encourage the sustainable management of
natural resources.
18. In order to achieve these objectives, the PRONADERS has an institutional structure
comprising the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, which is responsible for political and strategicdecision-making relating to the PRONADERS, and the National Directorate for Sustainable Rural
Development (DINADERS), responsible for guiding, implementing and coordinating projects.  There
is also an advisory council, which coordinates and formulates rural development policies and
strategies and advises the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.  The projects are implemented by
the municipalities, communities and producers that benefit from them, by local suppliers ofagricultural and rural development services, and by non-governmental organizations.  The National
Sustainable Rural Development Fund (FONADERS) is the financial instrument for these projects.
19. The Law on the Modernization and Development of the Agricultural Sector (Decree No. 31-
92) and its Regulations determine that all agricultural products, including staple grains, may be freely
marketed within Honduras and abroad.  The Law defines freedom to market at the domestic level as
"the absence of barriers [or] obstacles which [prevent] free movement within Honduras, as well as
price control measures".
6  Free marketing abroad means "the absence of permits or prior licences or
administrative authorizations which limit or restrict trade with other countries".7  The only exceptions
to freedom to market agricultural products concern products covered by international agreements or
special laws, products donated from abroad, and maize and beans from the strategic reserve kept by
the State for use in situations where supplies are scarce as a result of natural disasters.
20. Using the WTO definition, the average MFN tariff applied to agricultural products by
Honduras is 10.1 per cent.  Although the vast majority of MFN tariffs imposed on agricultural
products do not exceed 15 per cent, poultry meat, cane sugar and rice, inter alia , are subject to tariffs
of 35 to 55 per cent.
21. The Law on the Modernization and Development of the Agricultural Sector (Decree No. 31-
92) establishes a price band scheme "in order to ensure that persons who produce and consume inHonduras do not suffer any negative impact that may be caused by sharp fluctuations in international
prices of basic food products".  In May 2003, the scheme applied to yellow maize (1005.9020), white
maize (1005.9030), sorghum (1007.0090), groats (1103.1310 and 1103.1390) and cornflour
                                                     
4 Ministry of the Presidency (no date), Informes de avance a tres años del Mitch .
5 Honduran Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (no date), Documento marco:  Programa Nacional
de Desarrollo Rural Sostenible  (PRONADERS).  Available at:  www.pronaders.hn.
6Article 2 of the Regulations on the Marketing of Agricultural Products, Decision No. 0105-93 of
26 February 1993.
7 Article 2 of the Regulations on the Marketing of Agricultural Products, Decision No. 0105-93 of
26 February 1993.Honduras WT/TPR/S/120
Page 79
(1102.2000).  The procedures followed in implementing the price band scheme are to be found in the
Regulations on the Marketing of Agricultural Products (Decision No. 0105-93 of 26 February 1993).
Under the scheme, tariffs applied to these products are determined on the basis of an international
reference price.  Neither Decree No. 31-92 nor its Regulations define this reference price.  For the
purposes of this review, the authorities indicated that the Secretariat of the Regional Agricultural
Cooperation Council (COREC A) – a forum for dialogue and examination of agricultural issues
comprising the Ministers for Agriculture of the Central American isthmus, Mexico and the Dominican
Republic – sends the international reference prices to the Honduran Agricultural Marketing Institute
(IHMA).  The CORECA Secretariat obtains the pri ces from the International Monetary Fund.  Where
the reference import price is lower than the band's fl oor price, a tariff surcharge corresponding to the
difference and expressed as a percentage of the c.i.f. value is applied in addition to the fixed tariff(15 per cent for products subject to the price band scheme in May 2003).  The Regulations specify
that the total of the tariff surcharge and the fixed tariff may not exceed 45 per cent, a level that is
lower than or equivalent to the tariff bound for products subject to the price band scheme in
May 2003.  Where the reference import price exceeds the band's ceiling, a tariff reduction
corresponding to the difference and expressed as a percentage of the c.i.f. value is applied to the fixedtariff.  The tariff reduction subtracted from the fixed tariff may not be less than 5 per cent.
22. The IHMA is responsible for calculating the price band limit.  Taking as a basis a historical
series of international reference prices f.o.b. for the product in question (adjusted by using the United
States producer price index) for the previous 60 m onths, the 15 highest and the 15 lowest prices are
eliminated, so that the remaining maximum price becomes the band's ceiling and the remaining
minimum price its floor.  Both the maximum and the minimum prices are adjusted to take into
account transport and insurance costs.  In January each year, the IHMA's Executive Committeeapproves the price band limits and submits them to the Agricultural Development Council for
approval.  The limits remain in force for 12 months as of 1 September each year.  The tariff tables
also remain in effect for one year.  The IHMA mu st publish the tables together with the band's limits
in March.  In addition, every 15 days it must inform the Executive Directorate of Revenue of  the
international reference price and the effective tariff to be applied to imports subject to the price bandscheme.
23. Pursuant to the Regulations on the Marketing of Agricultural Products, the products to which
the price band scheme applies are all basic food products and their by-products which meet the
following requirements:  sharply fluctuating international prices;  organized global market with
regular and transparent price quotations;  international price similar to the domestic market price;existence of actual or potential domestic production to be protected;  the country must be a net
importer of the product in question;  the product replaces another it is sought to protect.  The IHMA
conducts the relevant studies for this purpose.
24. Honduras grants lower tariffs on certain staple grains to importers which purchase specified
quantities of domestic production under absorption agreements between producers and industries thatuse these grains as an input (see Chapter III(2)( v)).  According to the authorities, absorption
agreements are in effect for maize, rice and sorghum.
25. Together with other WTO Members, Honduras submitted three proposals in the course of the
current WTO negotiations on agriculture.  The first underlines the importance of special and
differential treatment for developing country Members as far as policies on trade in agricultural
products are concerned.
8  In summary, the proposal recommends the creation of a "development box"
to allow developing country Members to adopt the policies necessary "to protect and enhance …
                                                     
8 WTO document G/AG/NG/W/13 of 23 June 2000.WT/TPR/S/120 Trade Policy Review
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domestic food production capacity particularly in key staples", "increase food security and food
accessibility for especially the poorest", "protect farmers which are already producing an adequate
supply of key agricultural products from the onslaught of cheap imports" and "provide or at least
sustain existing employment for the rural poor", inter alia .
26. The second proposal highlights various shortcomings in the functioning of the "green box"
and recommends that all the domestic support categories be amalgamated in a single "generalsubsidies" box.  The proposal also advocates the establishment of a "set of criteria as to what should
make up the programmes legal within this one box".
9  In addition, in order to provide the developing
countries with support "in their efforts to increase food security … ensure rural employment and …
increase domestic production capacity", it is proposed that the understanding on "due restraint" when
applying countervailing duty measures shoul d only apply to developing country Members.
27. The third proposal recommends a reduction in tariffs and the elimination of tariff peaks and
escalation, which prevent access to the markets of developed countries by products from developing
countries.10  In order to achieve this, Honduras proposes the use of "an appropriate formula … to
bring down these extremely high tariffs by larger amounts to more reasonable levels", as well as a
"harmonisation formula … including the provision by developed countries of the full liberalization fortropical products in processed forms".  Honduras also proposes that price band schemes and seasonal
tariffs used by developed countries should be eliminated and that all tariffs in these countries should
be converted to ad valorem  tariffs.  With regard to tariff quotas, Honduras considers that the
"administration of tariff rate quotas by developed countries needs to be simplified and made more
transparent and equitable" so that the quotas do not act as quantitative restrictions.  Lastly, the
proposal seeks the elimination of export subsidies and a substantial reduction in domestic support
provided by the governments of developed countries to their farmers.
(iii) Main products and subsectors:  performance and policies
(a) Coffee
28. Coffee has traditionally generated a large amount of value added and foreign currency for
Honduras.  In 1996, it provided some 30 per cent of value added in the agricultural sector and
accounted for one fifth of total exports.  The economic importance of coffee has declined as a result ofthe crisis in the sector caused by lower prices on international markets.  In 2001, coffee's share of
agricultural value added had fallen to just under 13 per cent in current terms, while exports of coffee
barely represented 12 per cent of total exports.  In 2000, however, the sector was still employing some
300,000 people, just over one quarter of the rural working population.
11
29. According to the records kept by the Hondur an Coffee Institute, during the 2001-2002 season
there were 70,500 coffee producers.  Of these, 22 per cent produced less than 50 quintals of green
coffee each year, 66 per cent produced between 50 to 100 quintals, and the remaining 12 per cent
produced over 100 quintals.  In general, Honduran coffee producers only use part of their land to grow
coffee.
                                                     
9 WTO document G/AG/NG/W/14 of 23 June 2000.
10 WTO document G/AG/NG/W/37 of 28 September 2000.
11 Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (2002), Centroamérica:  El impacto de
la caída de los precios del café , Serie Estudios y Perspectivas de la CEPAL, No. 9, Mexico, D.F., April.Honduras WT/TPR/S/120
Page 81
30. Just over three quarters of coffee producers market their output through intermediaries.  Some
16 per cent sell their output to one of the 42 private exporting firms, while 6 per cent market their
coffee through cooperatives.  The remaining 1 per cent exports the coffee directly.
31. Traditionally, Honduran coffee has been sold at discounted prices on international markets,
partly owing to quality problems.  This situation explains to some extent the high level of smuggling
of Honduran coffee to Guatemala, whose coffee b eans sell for a premium on international markets.12
Between 1998 and September 2001, the Government spent around US$54 million on projects to
enhance the quality of Honduran coffee.
32. In December 1970, by Decree No. 83, the Government established the Honduran Coffee
Institute (IHCAFE) as a non-profit-making private body.  The IHCAFE's functions include the
following:  to provide technology generation and tr ansfer services to those involved in the agro-
industrial coffee chain;  to impose standards and decisions designed to improve production techniques
and classification methods, processing, packaging,  transport, registration, industrialization and
marketing;  to promote the image of Honduran coffee;   to support organizations or associations whose
purpose is to produce or market special types of coffee;  to establish and keep a register of those
belonging to the agro-industrial coffee chain;  to draw up and disseminate statistical information onproduction, consumption and export;  to issue licences, permits and regulations for dealers,
intermediaries and exporters;  to issue certificat es to those involved in producing, roasting and
exporting coffee or acting as intermediaries.
33. The IHCAFE is administered by a governing board comprising the Ministers for Agriculture
and Livestock and for Industry and Trade, together with representatives of various associations
belonging to the coffee production chain.
34. Between 1993 and 2001, the production of green coffee increased at an annual average rate of
7.4 per cent (see Chart IV.1).  Between 1991 and 2001, production increased relatively rapidly at an
average of just over 14 per cent annually.  The sharp increase in production and in the area under
cultivation during those years took place at a time when coffee prices on international markets were
falling and suggests that a large number of coffee producers did not cease their activities as a result of
the fall in international prices but rather decreased  their use of the inputs needed to maintain coffee
bushes, sow and resow coffee seedlings and control pests.  According to estimates by the Economic
Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), in 2001 Honduran  coffee growers lost
an average of US$24.50 per 46 kg bag of coffee produced and employed some 49,000 persons less
than during the previous season.
13
35. In September 2002, by means of Decree No. 297-2002 (4 September 2002), the National
Congress approved a US$20 million loan to IHCAFE over a period of 20 years, with a four-year grace
period, at an annual rate of 3 per cent.  The Decree establishes that the IHCAFE should use these
funds to provide coffee producers with financing through loans of up to L100 (US$6 at the average
exchange rate for 2002) per quintal of green coffee produced, starting with coffee growers who
produce less than 100 quintals of green coffee per year.  The financial support provided under DecreeNo. 297-2002 is combined with several other initiatives which, since 1999, have sought to give
                                                     
12 Foreign Agricultural Service/USDA (2002), Honduras Coffee Annual 2002 , GAIN Report
No. HO2004, May.
13 Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (2002), Centroamérica:  El impacto de
la caída de los precios del café , Serie Estudios y Perspectivas de la CEPAL, No. 9, Mexico, D.F., April.WT/TPR/S/120 Trade Policy Review
Page 82
Honduran coffee growers relief from their high levels of indebtedness.14  In March 2003, the sector's
debt with the banking system amounted to L1,109 million (some US$64 million at the average
exchange rate in March 2003).
05001,0001,5002,0002,5003,0003,5004,0004,5005,000
1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001020406080100120140160'000 quintalsChart IV.1
Coffee production, exports and export prices, 1993-2001
Provisional.
Estimate.
WTO Secretariat estimates based on data from the Central Bank of Honduras.a
b
Source:US$/quintal
Production
 Exports Average price a b
(b) Bananas
36. Together with coffee, bananas are one of Honduras' major exports.  In 2001, exports of
bananas amounted to US$204.1 million.  Bananas provide around 5 per cent of the value added of the
agricultural sector.
37. During the period 1993-98, 60 to 70 per cent of Honduras' banana production was for export.
This proportion has tended to rise owing to the decrease in production after hurricane Mitch (SeeChart IV.2).  Bananas are produced by two United States multinationals (Chiquita and Dole),
independent producers and cooperatives.  Chiquita and Dole market the largest volume of Honduran
bananas on international markets.  The authorities have indicated that fruit which does not meet
international quality standards is sent to the domestic market to be processed or sold fresh.
38. Two of the areas which suffered the most damage from floods caused by hurricane Mitch
contain the majority of Honduras' banana plantations, so bananas were one of the crops most affected
by this natural disaster.
15  In 1999, banana production decreased by 75 per cent in comparison with the
previous year (Chart IV.2).  In 2002, production was 468,035 tonnes, which represents 53 per cent of
average production during the period 1993-1998.
                                                     
14 Decrees Nos. 84-99, 152-99, 123-2000, 70-2001 and 124-2001.
15 Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (2000), Istmo Centroamericano:
fomento y modernización del sector agroexportador:  Los casos del azúcar, el banano y el café ,
document LC/MEX/L.429, Mexico, D.F., May.Honduras WT/TPR/S/120
Page 83
39. The Law to Promote Production, Competition and Support for Human Development (Decree
No. 131-98 of 30 April 1998) provides for a sum of  L10 million to be given to FONAPROVI annually
over five years in order to establish a special line of financing for independent banana producers, to
whom the remaining balances in the Banana Expansion and Development Fund were also transferred.
Independent banana producers or cooperatives which require financing in order to maintain their
plantations, cultivate new areas or rehabilitate areas damaged by natural disasters are eligible for thisspecial line.  The interest rate on the loans is 12 per cent (the average annual active rate of interest was
around 23 per cent in 2002 (see Chapter I(2)) over a period of ten years in the case of fixed assets
(including a two-year grace period) and 18 months in the case of working capital.  The authorities
have indicated that, in March 2003, the balance in the portfolio of loans granted under the special line
was L234.3 million (some US$12.5 million at the average exchange rate for March 2003) and22 banana producers had benefited from it.
40. Under the Law to Promote Banana Producti on (Decree No. 57-91 of 20 May 1991), exporters
must add US$0.50 to the price of each 40-lb box of bananas bought from producers situated in "new,
rehabilitated or replanted" areas.  The additional sum payable by exporters is US$0.30 per box after
three years and zero after six years.  Exporters may deduct the amount paid to banana producers fromtheir taxes.
05,00010,00015,00020,00025,000
1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 20010123456789
Provisional.
Estimate.
WTO Secretariat estimates based on data from the Central Bank of Honduras.a
b
Source:'000 quintalsChart IV.2                              
Banana production, exports and export prices, 1993-2001
US$/40 lb
Production Exports Avera ge priceab
41. In 2002, the law which imposed a tax of US$0.04 on each 40-lb net box of bananas exported
was repealed.WT/TPR/S/120 Trade Policy Review
Page 84
42. Honduras was a complainant in the dispute settlement case before the WTO regarding the
regime for the importation, sale and distribution of bananas in the European Union (Chapter II(4)(i)).
(c) Maize and other staple grains
43. Maize provides 5.5 per cent of the agricultura l value added in Honduras.  Around two-thirds
of farmers who produce maize in Honduras do so  on a small scale for their own consumption.
Between 1995 and 2002, maize production fell at an average annual rate of 4.2 per cent owing todecreases both in the area cultivated and in yields (see Table IV.1).  Between 1998 and 2001, on
average, Honduras imported 121,500 tonnes of maize a year.  It also produces beans, sorghum and
rice (Table IV.1).  According to estimates by the authorities, the drought that affected the central and
southern areas of Honduras in 2001 led to the loss of 144,924 tonnes of staple grains, which
corresponds to over three quarters of the area under cultivation.
44. The Honduran Agricultural Marketing Institute (IHMA) was set up by Decree No. 592 of
6 May 1978 in order to implement the policy adopted by the Agricultural Development Council for
the marketing of staple grains.  The IHMA's special functions include administering the State's
strategic reserve of maize and beans (which is either in the form of an actual inventory or a financial
fund) in order to be ready for any emergencies caused by scarcity as a result of a production deficit,natural disasters or other unpredictable reasons of force majeure.  The IHMA is also responsible for
coordinating with public and private bodies engaged in distributing and marketing donations of staple
grains from abroad in order to ensure that these are sold at market prices.  Lastly, the IHMA has
several responsibilities relating to the administration of the price band scheme:  it defines the band's
limits and submits these to the Agricultural Development Council for approval;  it calculates the
variable tariffs applied to imports of products under the scheme;  and it monitors the price of staple
grains on international markets in order to establish the reference price for the application of thevariable tariff under the scheme.
Table IV.1
Production indicators for staple grains, 1995-2002
(Hectares, tonnes and kilograms per hectare)
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002
Maize
Area cultivated 409,888 406,524 391,000 446,455 389,831 371,594 344,225 320,000
Production 672,061 657,768 609,627 471,327 477,511 533,598 516,079 480,000
Yield 1,639.6 1,618 1,559.1 1,055.7 1,224.9 1,436 1,499.2 1,500
Sorghum
Area cultivated 74,986 73,748 73,420 82,238 82,898 66,615 67,288 68,000
Production 62,097 85,638 96,025 90,219 71,269 64,667 74,718 75,000
Yield 828.1 1,161.2 1,307.9 1,097.0 859.7 970.8 1,110.4 1,102.9
Beans
Area cultivated 68,273 83,203 83,000 78,822 111,646 120,706 76,387 76,387
Production 38,216 54,204 74,525 72,665 53,426 84,980 59,229 59,229
Yield 559.8 651.5 897.9 921.9 478.5 704 775.4 775.4
Rice
Area cultivated 13,238 14,993 16,212 10,900 5,696 3,168 3,193 3,190
Production 34,555 40,134 50,303 27,760 12,446 7,262 7,251 7,250
Yield 2,610.3 2,676.8 3,102.8 2,546.8 2,185 2,292.3 2,270.9 2,272.7
Source:  WTO Secretariat estimates based on figures from the FAO.Honduras WT/TPR/S/120
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(d) Fishing
45. Fishing contributes around 7 per cent to the agricultural value added.  It is an important
generator of jobs, particularly in the less developed parts of Honduras.  In 1993, over 31,000 jobs
were directly related to fishing.16
46. The growth in the fishing sector in Honduras  during the 1990s was the result of increased
production of shrimps, particularly farmed shrimps.  Between 1990 and 1993, the production ofshrimps in Honduras rose by 178 per cent.  Subseq uently, it remained relatively constant, with the
exception of the period immediately following hurricane Mitch, when it fell by 8.3 per cent.
Nevertheless, in 2001, shrimp production recovered and amounted to 11,528 tonnes, the highest level
since 1990.  Shrimps are an important component of Honduran exports (Table IV.2).  During the
period 1998-2001, average annual exports of shrimps amounted to US$160 million.  Over the sameperiod, Honduras exported lobsters amounting to US$32.7 million.
47. The authorities have indicated that fishing resources of major economic importance such as
shrimps, lobsters and sea snails are showing signs of depletion, inter alia  owing to the increased
number of fishing vessels and the violation of closed seasons, minimum sizes of the catch, the use of
certain fishing methods, piracy, and the failure to harmonize closed seasons in the Central Americanregion.  The Honduran fishing fleet is composed of 325 boats.
Table IV.2
Volume and value of shrimp exports, 1995-2001
1995 1996 1997 1998 19992000a2001a
Farmed shrimps
  Volume (tonnes) 6,962 9,296 9,083 10,037 9,200 8,250 10,912
  Value (US$ millions) 93.9 124.6 130.8 135.9 127.4 122.7 156.3
  Percentage of total exports 7.7 9.47 9.05 8.87 10.94 8.96 11.76
Shrimps caught
  Volume (tonnes) 2,273 1,386 1,393 1,549 1,620 2,222 1,456
  Value (US$ millions) 30.6 18.6 20.1 21 22.4 33.0 20.8
  Percentage of total exports 2.51 1.41 1.39 1.37 1.92 2.41 1.56
Total shrimps
  Volume (tonnes) 9,235 10,682 10,476 11,586 10,820 10,472 12,368
  Value (US$ millions) 124.5 143.2 150.9 156.9 149.8 155.7 177.1
  Percentage of total exports 10.2 10.88 10.44 10.24 12.86 11.37 13.32
a Provisional figures.
Source: WTO Secretariat estimates based on figures from the Central Bank of Honduras.
(e) Livestock and poultry farming
48. The livestock sector accounts for around 10 per cent of the agricultural value added of
Honduras.  There are some 100,000 livestock farms in Honduras.  Approximately one half of these
cover 50 hectares or less and 95 per cent have less than 100 head of cattle.  The majority of these
farms are dual-purpose, in other words, they produce meat or milk depending on their price.  Theexistence of a large number of dual-purpose farms explains in part the low average yield of Honduran
                                                     
16 Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (2002), 1998-2002 Memoria  (Tegucigalpa, Honduras).WT/TPR/S/120 Trade Policy Review
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milk producers, which is estimated to be 3 litres/cow per day.  Between 1998 and 2001, Honduras
produced an average of 574,700 tonnes of milk a year.
49. In 2001, production of bovine meat was 55,958 t onnes, compared with 97,796 tonnes in 1990.
It would seem that there is a large illegal flow of cattle from Honduras to Yucatán (Mexico) via
Guatemala so as to avoid the tariffs and sanitary controls imposed on meat imports into Mexico.
According to the authorities, a number of factor s have been responsible for the poor performance of
this sector since 1995:  Honduran producers have had to face increased competition from producers in
other countries in their export markets;  there has been a fall in the price of meat on international
markets;  many farms have suffered serious losses in terms of livestock, infrastructure and pasture as a
result of hurricane Mitch's passage through Honduras;  the fall in the incomes of Honduran families
has meant that bovine meat has been replaced by poultry meat, which costs less.  In Honduras, percapita consumption of bovine meat dropped from 14.3 kg. in 1990 to 6 kg. in 2000.
50. Poultry production rose at an annual average rate of 4.1 per cent during the 1990s, owing in
part to increased domestic demand for poultry meat.  In 2002, Honduras produced some
92,000 tonnes of poultry meat and around 31.7 million boxes containing 30 eggs each.  In Honduras,
there are 122 poultry farms.
51. As indicated in Chapter III(2)(xi), Honduras has a number of sanitary measures applicable to
trade in poultry and poultry products.
(f) Forestry
52. Around one half of Honduran territory is covered by woodland.  Since 1996, the forestry
sector's contribution to agricultural value added has been around 8 per cent.  Exports of timber over
the same period rose from US$21.7 million to US$31 million.
53. In 1992, the State ceased production activities in the forestry sector.  Subsequently, the Law
on Incentives for Reforestation, Forestation and Woodland Protection (Decree No. 163-93 of
20 September 1993) was adopted, providing a system of incentives "to promote the involvement of
the private sector in forestry, reforestation and woodland protection, in order to involve them more
widely in reversing the deforestation affecting Honduras, in proper management of natural woodland,
and in establishing forest plantations".  The incentives under the Law include the preparation free ofcharge of reforestation and woodland protection projects;  free technical assistance for implementing
these projects;  total or partial refund of certain investments in woodland;  the possibility of using
forestry products for commercial purposes;  access to loans at minimum rates of interest and with
deferred payment for some producers;  and, in some cases, exemption or reduction of income tax on
profits generated by selling forestry products.  The incentives provided in the Law are available toowners of private forested areas and to cooperatives, enterprises and peasants' associations, farmers
and livestock breeders situated in public forested areas, inter alia .
54. Persons interested in benefiting from the incentives provided in the Law must conclude an
agreement with the Honduran Forestry Development Cooperation (COHDEFOR), which sets out the
incentives and the beneficiary's rights and obligations.  COHDEFOR is responsible for implementingHonduras' forestry policy and is governed by a C ouncil composed of the President of the Republic
and five Ministers.
55. The authorities have indicated that a large portion of Honduran woodland is increasingly
subject to deforestation.  Around 100,000 hectares of tropical forest in the eastern zones and along the
northern coast are lost each year as a result of advancing farmland.  The coniferous forest situated at
high altitudes in the central and western parts of Honduras are also under pressure, owing mainly toHonduras WT/TPR/S/120
Page 87
the domestic consumption of firewood and, to a lesser extent, logging for industrial uses.  In
Honduras, for each cubic metre of logs for industry , ten cubic metres of firewood are cut without any
controls, the major part for domestic use.
(3) MANUFACTURING
(i) Main features and general policy objectives
56. In 2002, manufacturing accounted for 15.1 per cent of the total GDP.17  The main branches of
manufacturing are food products, beverages and tobacco, textiles, clothing and leather goods;
together, these account for 60 per cent of the value added of the Honduran manufacturing sector.  In
2001, the number of workers in the sector was 337,317, some 14 per cent of the working population in
Honduras.
57. Between 1997 and 2002, manufacturing value added rose at an average annual rate of 4.3 per
cent in real terms, a figure that is slightly higher  than that for the economy as a whole.  Textiles,
clothing and leather goods were the branches of i ndustrial activity with the highest rates of growth
during this period;  the value added of chemicals derived from petroleum and foodstuffs, beverages
and tobacco rose at average annual rates of 4 to 8.5 per cent.  Although the growth in value added in
the other branches of manufacturing was positive, the figures were nevertheless lower (seeTable IV.3).
58. Exports of manufactures (excluding exports from free-trade zones) fluctuated significantly
between 1996 and 2001, rising from US$258 million to US$354 million over the period.  The main
export products were printed materials, soap, singlets, gold and furniture of wood.  Imports of
manufactures, on the other hand, rose from US$1,270 million in 1995 to US$1,993 million in 2001,
an increase of just over 50 per cent.  The share of imports of manufactures in total imports (excluding
free-trade zone imports) was 66.5 per cent in 2001.  The principal imports were goods vehicles,medicines, passenger transport vehicles and paper containers.
59. Although Honduras's average MFN tariff for the manufacturing sector is relatively low (6 per
cent), a breakdown of the level of tariff protection according to various branches of industry shows
that tariffs are used as industrial policy tools, particularly in the case of industries producing
foodstuffs, beverages and tobacco (ISIC 31), textiles and clothing (ISIC 32) and wood and itsproducts (ISIC 33) (see Chart IV.3).
                                                     
17 This figure includes activities in free-trade zones.WT/TPR/S/120 Trade Policy Review
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Table IV.3
Breakdown of gross value added in the industrial sector, 1996-2001
ISIC Activity 1996 1997(p) 1998(p) 1999(p) 2000(p) 2001(p) 2002(p)
Total manufacturing
industry (in thousands of1978 constant lempiras)881,486 934,733 966,525 992,205 1,046,638 1,101,318 1,131,685
31 Food, beverages and
tobacco42.6 42.4 42.1 41.6 42.1 42.2 42.2
32 Textiles, wearing apparel
and leather13.5 13.8 14.7 15.4 16.4 16.3 17.1
33 Wood and wood products 3.4 3.3 3.2 3.2 3.1 3.1 3.0
34 Paper, paper products and
printing6.1 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.0 5.8 5.7
35 Chemicals and plastic
products8.1 8.5 8.6 8.6 8.4 8.6 8.6
36 Non-metallic mineral
products, except products
of petroleum and coal7.4 7.4 6.9 6.9 6.8 7.0 6.8
37 Basic metal industries 0.7 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.7 0.7 0.7
38 Fabricated metal products
and machinery6.3 6.2 6.1 5.9 5.7 5.7 5.5
39 Other manufacturing
industries11.9 11.6 11.4 11.3 10.9 10.5 10.3
p Provisional figures.
Source : WTO Secretariat estimates based on information provided by the Central Bank of Honduras.
60. Honduras also resorts to tariff escalation in order to provide various branches of
manufacturing industry with a higher level of protection against competition from imports (see
Chapter III(2)(iv)).  The use of tariffs as industrial policy tools raises the price of the products
concerned and discourages the flow of resources towards production of other goods, including those
for export.  The cost of protecting the food and beverages industry can be particularly high for
households living in poverty, which spend a high proportion of their income on such products.
61. The other measures to promote industrial development in Honduras include special export
regimes (Chapter III(3)(iv) and below), support for the marketing of exports (Chapter III(3)(vi)),
export financing programmes (Chapter III(3)(v)), and programmes for the development of small
enterprises (Chapter III(4)(iv)).
62. The destruction of the highway infrastructure and the breakdown in communications among
the principal areas in Honduras as a result of hurricane Mitch created temporary problems in
supplying goods and services and in access to domestic and international markets for the Honduran
manufacturing sector.  The damage to assets in this sector was relatively minor, however, and has
been estimated at just under US$2 million.18
                                                     
18 Government of Honduras (undated), Plan Maestro de Reconstrucción y Transformación Nacional .
Available at:  http:\\rds.org.hn/estocolmo.Honduras WT/TPR/S/120
Page 89
0510152025Chart IV.3
Tariff protection in the industrial sector, 2003a
Percentage
31
32
3334
35
363738
39Manufacture of food, beverages and tobacco
Manufacture of textiles, wearing apparel and leatherManufacture of wood and wood products, including furnitureManufacture of paper and paper products, printing and publishing
Manufacture of chemicals and chemical, petroleum, coal, rubber and plastic products
M anufacture of non-metallic mineral products, except products of petroleum and coalBasic metal industries
Manufacture of fabricated metal products, machinery and equipment
Oth f t i i d t i31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39
a
Source :By ISIC 4-digit group.
WTO Secretariat estimates based on data provided by the Honduran authorities.Average
6%
63. In May 2002, the Government officially launched the National Competitiveness Programme,
a mechanism for coordinating, proposing and implementing measures to enhance the climate for
investment and the operation of enterprises in Honduras, and to increase productivity and the
competitive capacity of Honduran enterprises on global markets.  The Programme focuses in
particular on areas which, in the view of the authorities, have considerable development potential,namely, forestry, agribusiness, tourism, light assembly industry, textiles and clothing.
64. Decree No. PCM-004-2002 established the Na tional Competitiveness Commission (CNC),
which is responsible for developing strategies to implement the National Competitiveness Programme
and for achieving a national consensus thereon.  The CNC is composed of the First Presidential
Appointee, who chairs the Commission, four representatives of the private sector, the Ministers forIndustry and Trade, and for Finance, the Coordinator of the Economic Cabinet, and a representative of
the labour sector.  A technical secretariat paid for by the Foundation for Investment and the
Development of Exports (FIDE) provides the CNC w ith support (see Chapter III(3)(vi)).  In order to
ensure that the plans drawn up under the Programme are dealt with rapidly at the legislative level, theWT/TPR/S/120 Trade Policy Review
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Congress established a Special Legislative Commission on Competition, which receives financial
support from the Inter-American Development Bank and the World Bank.
65. As part of the National Competitiveness Pr ogramme, the FIDE organizes workshops with
various sectors of the population in order to identify priority areas for a plan of work (see Table IV.4).
Table IV.4
Priority areas identified in the National Competitiveness Programme, March 2003
Priority area Measure
Improved investment climate -Lower costs for registering enterprises by revising the enterprise registration procedures and
streamlining the environmental, sanitary, migration, customs, and investment formalities
-Updating and revision of the legal framework governing competition-Promotion and protection of free competition-Promotion of foreign investment through programmes for business exchanges and creation of a
Honduran image
Infrastructure and logistics -Analysis and improvement of the logistics chains and the infrastructure
-Formulation of options to reduce time and costs in Puerto Cortés
Building the innovative
capacity of the private sector-Creation of technological innovation centres
-Improved access to information and communications technology for businesses-Implementation of business exchange programmes
Improvement of quality
systems-Evaluation of standards:  metrology, standardization, accreditation and quality certification
-Promotion of applications for certification by Honduran enterprises
Improvements in the labour
market-Evaluation of training services
-Improvement of higher education and collaboration between academia and industry-Implementation of training programmes in support of production sectors
Promotion and enhancement
of small and medium
enterprises (SMEs) in sectors
with high potential-Evaluation of the current status of SMEs in the chosen sectors
-Implementation of training programmes to develop business in the chosen sectors
–Linkage of SMEs to merger processes
Establishment of theCompetitiveness Fund-Co-financing during the pre-investment stage
-Co-financing of specialized technical assistance
Improved administration of
foreign trade-Improving the handling of trade negotiations and the administration of agreements by supporting
training and analysis for the negotiation and administration of agreements and evaluation of theirimpact on sensitive sectors
-Building export promotion capacity-Strengthening of trade missions
-Formulation and implementation of a consultation, dissemination and participation strategy
Source :  Foundation for Investment and the Development of Exports (FIDE), Inter-American Development Bank and the
Latin American Center for Competitiveness and Sustainable De velopment (CLACDS) of the Central American Institute for
Business Administration (INCAE) (2003), Diagnóstico de la Competitividad de Honduras , March.
(ii) Maquila  industry19
66. Since the regime on temporary import and duty-free import of inputs used to produce goods
for export was expanded in 1987, the maquila  industry has become increasingly important for the
manufacturing sector and for Honduras' economy.  The maquila  industry is given significant
incentives, for example, exemption from import duties and taxes.  Chapter III(3)(iv) describes indetail the various elements of the legal and institutional framework under which the  maquila  industry
operates.
67. In 2001, the maquila  industry comprised 230 enterprises which employed around
94,000 people.  The maquila  companies generate some US$346 million of value added (Table IV.5).
                                                     
19 The term " maquila  industry" used in this review refers to enterprises operating under the Law on
Free Zones and the Law Establishing Industrial Export Processing Zones.Honduras WT/TPR/S/120
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Table IV.5
Main indicators relating to free-trade zones and industrial export processing zones, 1995-2001
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Number of companies 135 151 203 198 215 218 230
Number of employees 54,995 65,950 83,464 98,905 103,271 106,530 93,816
Wages (US$ millions) 80.1 109.5 147.5 238.3 259.8 341.4 312.2
Value added (US$ millions) 89 119.3 160.1 261.0 287.4 368.1 346.4
Value added per employee (US$ per
employee)1,618.33 1,808.95 1,918.19 2,638.90 2,782.97 3,455.36 3,692.33
Proportion of wages in the value added
(%)90.0 91.8 92.1 91.3 90.4 92.7 90.1
Source: WTO Secretariat based on information provided by the Central Bank of Honduras.
68. Sixty-six per cent of the companies in Honduran free-trade zones produce textiles and
clothing;  14 per cent are engaged in trade-related activities (including the import and sale of spare
parts for machinery for the companies operating in free-trade and industrial processing zones);  13 per
cent are active in other areas such as the manufacturing of furniture and wood products, sports goods,
cleaning preparations, electronic components and spare parts for automobiles, plastic, paper and
surgical products, and food products;  the remaining 7 per cent provide services such as washing
fabrics, repairs and data processing.  One other significant feature of the maquila industry is the large
share of foreign investment:  somewhat over 40 per cent of companies have United States capital andapproximately 28 per cent have Asian capital (China ;  Republic of Korea;  Hong Kong, China;  and
Chinese Taipei).  One quarter of the companies have Honduran capital and 6 per cent have capital
from other countries.
69. The maquila  industry performed dynamically between 1995 and 2001, when its value added
rose at an average annual rate of 27 per cent.  Employment also rose between 1995 and 2001,although at a lower rate than value added.  These figures highlight a marked increase in the
productivity of the maquila  industry.  Value added per employee rose from US$1,618.3 in 1995 to
US$3,692.3 in 2001.  It is possible that this trend is the result of the more intensive competition faced
by Honduran maquila  companies on United States markets following the abolition of the import quota
scheme applied by the United States under the WTO Agreement on Textiles and Clothing.
70. The positive performance of the maquila  industry came to a halt in 2001, when several
indicators showed negative rates of growth compared with the previous year.  To a large extent, this
was the result of slower growth in the United States economy, which is the main destination for
Honduran maquila  exports.  Productivity remained fairly constant, however, as a result of substantial
reductions in the labour force.
71. The maquila  industry has been an important source of jobs and foreign currency for
Honduras.  The authorities have indicated that maquila  companies also make sizeable contributions to
the Honduran Social Security Institute, 60 per cent of whose revenue comes from the free-trade zones,
and to the National Vocational Training Ins titute.  According to the authorities, the  maquila  industry
also has a positive effect on the tax revenue of municipalities.  The main reason for this is localconsumption by workers in the maquila  industry.  Despite this, the maquila  regime has been
prejudicial to economic activities outside the zones inasmuch as the cost of supplying the relevant
public services has risen and activities outside these zones are at a disadvantage when competing for
scarce production factors such as skilled workers and capital.  Moreover, even though it is small in
global terms, like similar regimes in other countries, the Honduran maquila  industry implies export
subsidies that help to distort global markets.WT/TPR/S/120 Trade Policy Review
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72. There are no empirical evaluations of the extent to which new operations have arisen around
the Honduran maquila  industry and led to an increase in its value added.  Nevertheless, the high
concentration of clothing-related activities is one factor that could limit its capacity to catalyzse the
rest of the economy.  Experience in other countries suggests that the maquila industry making
clothing generates fewer links with the rest of dom estic industry than other activities such as the
production of electrical and electronic goods.20  This is partly because making clothing requires a
large number of unskilled workers.  In addition, the rules of origin which maquila  clothing companies
must meet in order to benefit from preferential access to certain foreign markets limits the extent to
which they can create links with domestic industry.  These factors diminish the potential benefits
which Honduras could derive from the maquila  regime and mean that it is necessary to examine its
costs and benefits.
(4) ELECTRICITY
(i) Features
73. The electricity sector (deemed to be a subsecto r in Honduras), together with gas and water,
contributed 4.3 per cent to the GDP in 2001.  There was a period of rapid expansion in the 1980s,
when the El Cajón hydroelectric power station was built, more than doubling existing installedcapacity.  This proved to be excessive in comparison with demand as at the same time the export
efforts made in the region collapsed owing to problems in interconnecting services among Central
American countries.  Nevertheless, in the 1990s, an extended period of drought led to a situation in
which supplies were insufficient and in 1994 there were extended outages of electricity.  This crisis
was one of the elements that incited reform of the industry, partly in order to propose alternative
sources of energy generation and open it up to participation by the private sector.
74. Between 1994 and 2002, installed capacity almost doubled, with a particularly large increase
in thermal energy, which is mainly in private hands.  The share of thermal energy in power generation
also increased significantly during this period owing to the scarcity of hydraulic resources
(Table IV.6).  In recent years, there has also been  an increase in the share of imports (Honduras has
recently become a net importer of electricity) from other countries in the region, especially Costa Rica
and Panama.
75. The electricity subsector is dominated by the activities of the National Electricity Company
(ENEE), a vertically integrated and autonomous State body that has been responsible for producing,
marketing, transmitting and distributing electr icity in Honduras since 1957.  The ENEE has a
monopoly of the latter three activities, but not of generation.  Several private companies with
Honduran capital contracted by the ENEE help to ge nerate electricity using thermal resources.  As
already mentioned, the share of these enterprises has increased and in 2002 they provided over half
the total energy generated in Honduras.  The Government has also granted concessions to private
companies with Honduran capital for the building and operation of hydroelectric power stations.  At
the end of 2002, only one of these (La Nieve) was operating, with very restricted output (480 kWh);
it is hoped, however, that over the next five years a further 15 private hydroelectric power stationswill come on line with a capacity of 120 MW.
76. The process of granting concessions to the private sector has gone ahead relatively slowly
owing in part to the stringent rules under the previous Government Procurement Law.  According to
                                                     
20 Esquivel, Gerardo, Jenkins, Mauricio and Larrain, Felipe, (1998), Export Processing Zones in
Central America , Development Discussion Paper No. 646:  Central America Project Series (Cambridge,
Massachusetts), August.Honduras WT/TPR/S/120
Page 93
this, candidates had to provide guarantees that corresponded to a high percentage of the project's
anticipated profits;  the guarantees had to be issued by a Honduran bank and were subject to high
banking fees.
77. Energy is mainly generated and supplied through the National Interconnected Grid (SIN).
The power stations in the National Interconnected Grid (SIN) have installed capacity of 1,072.5 MW
(December 2002), of which 43.4 per cent (464.4 MW) is the capacity of State-owned hydroelectricpower stations, 5.9 per cent (63 MW), comes from thermal power stations owned by the ENEE, and
50.4 per cent (540.1 MW) from thermal power stations belonging to the private sector.  There are 14
private generating companies in Honduras, two of  which use hydraulic resources, four the biomass,
and the remainder are thermal power stations which use diesel and bunker fuel.
78. The SIN's activities are coordinated through the ENEE's National Clearance Centre, which is
responsible for determining the volume of energy to be generated by the power stations.
21  The
Clearance Centre coordinates power generation in Honduras and exchanges of energy with Nicaragua,
Costa Rica, Panama and El Salvador (see below).
79. In 1994, reform of the electricity subsector was launched, but according to a study carried out
with IDB financing, it was only partly implemente d;  a second reform was planned between 1998 and
2001, although it did not lead to any conclusive results either.22  In this connection, the authorities
have pointed out that further reform of the subsector is being prepared and it is hoped that a new law
will be approved by the National Congress in 2003.  The study mentions that, despite this, the ENEE
has made progress in enhancing efficiency.  Higher levels of efficiency have allowed coverage to be
increased from 57.5 per cent of households in 2001 to 60.1 per cent in 2002, while the number of
subscribers rose by close to 75 per cent between 1994 and 2002.  The low level of hydraulic resources
in recent years has meant an increase in thermal power generation, which is more costly.  In the caseof the ENEE, the authorities explained that it had not been possible to pass the higher costs on to
consumers because the rates had not been adjusted in order to incorporate them.  This to a large extent
explains the losses recorded by the ENEE since 2000.
Table  IV.6
Main indicators in the electricity subsector, 1994-2002
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002
Installed capacity (MW) 565 750 727 728 762 920 920 923 1,074
  National Interconnected Grid 564 749 726 727 760 917 919 922 1,073
    Hydraulic (%) 76.7 57.8 59.6 59.5 56.9 47.1 47.3 47.1 43.4
    Thermal (%) 23.3 42.2 40.4 40.5 43.1 52.9 52.7 52.9 56.6
Public (%) 96.2 68.7 70.9 70.8 66.0 54.7 54.7 54.6 49.7
Private (%) 3.8 31.3 29.1 29.2 34.0 45.3 45.3 45.4 50.3
Maximum demand  (MW) 453 504 534 605 650 661 702 759 798
Generation (GWh) a2,304 2,696 3,056 3,291 3,458 3,575 3,936 4,184 4,495
     Hydraulic (ENEE) 1,817 1,673 2,039 2,085 1,923 2,130 2,260 1,903 1,610
      Thermal (ENEE) 318 244 6 45 279 50 6 14 10
Table IV.6 (cont'd)
                                                     
21 The Framework Law on the Electricity Subsector authorizes the ENEE to conduct economic
activities and to supply energy through the SIN, and to conclude agreements for the import and export of electric
power.
22 Walker, Ian and Benavides, Juan, Sustainability of Power Sector Reform in Latin America:  The
Reform in Honduras  (2002), working paper of the Inter-American Development Bank, Washington, D.C., May.WT/TPR/S/120 Trade Policy Review
Page 94
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002
     Energy purchased by the ENEE 167 780 1,011 1,160 1,256 1,393 1,669 2,267 2,875
     Inadvertent energy 2 -1 -1 1 0 2 1 0 0
Public (%) 92.7 71.1 67.0 64.8 63.4 61.0 57.6 45.7 36.0
Private and imports (%) 7.3 28.9 33.0 35.2 36.3 39.0 42.4 54.3 64.0
Net imports (GWh) .. .. .. .. .. .. 280.8 308.2 330.5
Number of subscribers 427 545 484 522 566 604 646 692 745
Total investment by the ENEE  (billions of  lempiras) 335 307 218 335 270 385 328 423 307
Average residential sector rate (US$/kWh) 0.04 0.06 0.07 0.07 0.07 0.07 0.07 .. ..
.. Not available.
a Total of domestic production and net imports of electricity.
Sourc e: WTO Secretariat based on information provided by the Honduran authorities.
80. Honduras participates in the Electricity Inte rconnection Grid for Central America (SIEPAC)
project, which involves the creation and operation of a wholesale electricity market in Central
America and the development of the first regional grid.  Honduras, together with Guatemala, El
Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama ratified the Framework Treaty on the Central American
Electricity Market, in force since January 1999, which is aimed at the establishment of a RegionalElectricity Market (REM) for the transmission and buying and selling of electricity.  The Regional
Electricity Interconnection Commission (CRIE) is res ponsible for ensuring the implementation of the
principles of the Framework Treaty and the relevant regulations and a Regional Operating Body
(EOR) is responsible for the technical operation and the commercial aspects of the regional market.
Both of these bodies were formally set up in 2000.
(ii) Legal and institutional framework
81. The industry's activities (generation, transmission, distribution and marketing of electricity)
are regulated by the Framework Law on the El ectricity Subsector (Decree No. 158-94) of
4 November 1994 and its Regulations (Official Journal No. 27.953 of 11 May 1996), amended by
Decrees Nos. 131-98 and 89-98.  A preliminary draft framework law on the liberalization of theelectricity market was discussed between 1998 and 2001, but no action was taken in this regard.
82. The Energy Cabinet is responsible for formulating and approving policies for the electricity
subsector.  It is composed of the President of the Republic and the Ministers for Natural Resources
and the Environment, Industry and Trade, Finance, and Public Works, Transport and Housing.  The
Energy Cabinet is convened by the President and its decisions are taken by simple majority.  Meetings
of the Energy Cabinet are usually convened to address matters relating to the management of the
ENEE (for example, rates, financial situation or gene ration problems) and to discuss the guidelines for
energy policy.  The Cabinet is currently drafting guidelines for a new policy on the subsector and is
preparing the draft of a new law (see below).
83. The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment (SERNA) is responsible for
approving contracts for the buying or selling of energy concluded by generating companies and also
contracts awarded through tenders.  The Nati onal Congress has an Energy Commission which
monitors the legislation on electricity.
84. The National Energy Commission (CNE) is a decentralized body of the SERNA and is
responsible for applying and ensuring compliance wi th the legal and regulatory rules governing the
electricity subsector and for submitting the marginal  short-term cost (generating cost) to the SERNA
for approval and application.  The CNE approves the busbar rates and the rates to the final consumer,as well as their respective adjustment formulas.  It has the authority to approve quality and safetyHonduras WT/TPR/S/120
Page 95
standards for the system and to decide annually on the classification of consumers, for example, large
consumers (over 1 MW).  The CNE must also submit to the Energy Cabinet for approval programmes
for the expansion of the SIN, initially prepared by the ENEE, as well as market liberalization
programmes, including privatization and deregulation of rates.  The CNE also has responsibilities
relating to competition policy, for example,  preventing anti-competitive, monopolistic or
discriminatory behaviour by those involved in the industry.
85. Electricity generation is open to public, private and joint enterprises and there are no
restrictions as to nationality.  The authorities have indicated that association with Honduran investors
is the foreign investment strategy most commonly followed23.  Generating companies may sell their
production to the ENEE, or directly or to a major consumer;  this has not occurred in practice,
however, because extremely high royalties have to be pa id to use the grid.  In the first instance, if the
sale is proposed by the generating company, the ENEE guarantees purchase of the output if it is sold
at a price that is equal to or lower than the marginal  short-term cost.  If the purchase or sale is at the
instigation of the ENEE, the rate will be that resu lting from the respective bidding process.  The Law
prescribes that generating facilities must give priority to meeting domestic needs and that, after these
have been covered, the surplus may be exported.  In order to promote the use of renewable resourcesfor the generation of electricity, the Framework Law states that a preference amounting to 10 per cent
of the cost of the project will be given to development projects of this type.
86. The Law gives the State a monopoly of transmission, which is carried out through the
transmission system and the Clearance Centre.
87. Distribution is open to the private sector a nd the Framework Law provides that it should be
given priority for engaging in the activity through a concession.  Nevertheless, by early 2003, no
private enterprise had been involved in distribution.  The Law provides that, in order to operate,distributors must conclude energy supply contracts with generating companies for periods of not less
than five years and, in principle, distributors may not have generating facilities.  Distributing
companies must be established as commercial publ ic limited companies with registered shares and
preference must be given to participation by organizations representing trade union or associative
interests, but they may not own more than 50 pe r cent of the equity.  The ENEE may own up to 30 per
cent of the shares of any new distributing companies set up and municipalities situated within the
distribution zone up to 50 per cent, subject to appr oval by the Energy Cabinet.  The ENEE is the only
body authorized to import electricity, but there is freedom to export.
88. The Law provides that the rate paid by users comprises three components:  generation,
transmission and value added for distribution;  the busbar rate includes generation and transmissioncomponents.
24  The rates applicable to sales by ge nerating companies to the ENEE distribution
company are based on the concept of the busbar rate, which is calculated by taking the average
marginal costs over a period of five years.  Pursua nt to the Law, the busbar rates must be calculated
by the generating companies and approved by the CNE;   in practice, the generating cost is determined
                                                     
23 In this connection, the authorities point out that two agreements were recently signed for the
purchase of capacity and energy, one for 210 MW and the other for 200 MW, the latter being signed with a
company with foreign capital.
24 The value added is determined on the basis of:  (a) fixed costs for providing the service to
subscribers;  (b) average losses when distributing power and energy;  and (c) annual investment payments.WT/TPR/S/120 Trade Policy Review
Page 96
by the ENEE using a dynamic model.25  The transmission and distribution components are added in
order to obtain the full rate.
89. Sales of energy by companies in the subsector are exempt from payment of sales tax.  The
Framework Law on the Electricity Subsector provides for the application of cross subsidies for
residential users who consume less than 300kWh a month.  As a result of this cross subsidy, users
who consume 101 to 300kWh pay 80 per cent of the total cost;  those who consume between 0 and
100kWh pay 45 per cent.  These subsidies are financed through payments from non-residential users
or large residential users.  In addition, the Government gives residential subscribers who consume less
than 300kWh a month another subsidy amounting to an annual total of L275 million (around
US$16.2 million).
90. The Electricity Development Social Fund, managed by the ENEE, finances studies and
electrification works of social interest.  It is financed by the ENEE in an amount corresponding to
1 per cent of annual sales of electricity to end users, but is never less than L15 million (US$880,000).
The Fund also receives contributions from international organizations, governments and the National
Congress.  In 2000, its investment amounted to L11 million (US$690,000), in 2001 the amount was
L39 million (US$2.4 million) and in 2002 L29.9 million (US$1.8 million).
91. From 1998 onwards, the legislation on the subsector was revised and led to a draft framework
law, which was abandoned in mid-2001.  The draft Framework Law on the Electricity Subsector
provided for the introduction of far-reaching changes in the industry, for example:  the establishment
of a wholesale electricity market;  the horizontal and vertical break-up of the ENEE;  privatization of
distribution;  and priority for private investment in generating electricity.  It also provided that
transmission would continue to be a State monopoly.   In mid-2003, reform of the electricity subsector,
including the formulation of a new framework la w, was being discussed by the Energy Cabinet.
(5) SERVICES
(i) Main features
92. In 2001, the services sector (excluding electricity, but including construction) accounted for
around 54 per cent of GDP.  The main services subs ectors in terms of share of total value-added in
2001 were, in decreasing order of importance:  trade, restaurants and hotels;  personal services;  andfinancial services (Table I.1).
93. Honduras' Schedule of Specific Commitments under the WTO General Agreement on Trade
in Services (GATS) is limited and includes commitments on only four of the 12 services categories
(Table IV.7).
26
94. As regards horizontal commitments, Honduras established a series of limitations on foreign
investment such as giving due consideration, when authorizing the establishment of a foreign
enterprise, to the impact of its commercial presence on local economic activity and employment.  The
Schedule also stipulates that foreign investors may not engage in small-scale industry and trade and
                                                     
25 The ENEE calculates the marginal costs using a dynamic programming model whose objective is to
minimize the current value of the anticipated cost of the generating system, based on estimates of demand, the
price of fuel and the probable cost of supplying water.  The figure resulting from this model is a ceiling price,
which is revised monthly.  Contractors may supply the product at a price lower than the ceiling rate.
26 WTO documents GATS/SC/38 and Suppl.1 of 15 April 1994 and 26 February 1998, respectively.Honduras WT/TPR/S/120
Page 97
that, through their commercial presence, foreign enterprises must contribute to the training of
Honduran personnel in their respective areas of expertise.  In addition, the Schedule sets a ceiling of
10 per cent for the number of foreign workers in an enterprise, who may not receive more than 15 per
cent of total wages paid.  Lastly, it establishes a territorial limitation on foreign investment, stipulating
that land situated in certain sensitive areas such as border or coastal areas may belong only to
companies consisting wholly of partners of Honduran origin (whether by birth or by naturalization) or
to State institutions.
95. Honduras' List of MFN Exemptions includes ex emptions for the progressive integration of
services of different kinds in all sectors, benefiting countries that belong to the Central American
Common Market (CACM).  It also contains exemptions  in respect of specific sectors.  Thus, in the
area of financial services, Honduras provides MFN ex emptions in favour of CACM countries for the
free transfer of capital and facilities for the establishment and operation of banks, insurance
companies and other financial entities.  Also concerning financial services, Honduras included a
general exemption regarding the opening of agencies or branches of foreign banks, which may be
subject to reciprocity requirements.27  The List establishes further exemptions in respect of
telecommunications services in order to promote the regional integration of its telecommunications
system, of professional services and land transport services, providing discretion to issue licences on
the basis of reciprocity.
Table IV.7
Summary of Honduras' GATS commitmentsa
Market access National treatment
Modes of supply:
Cross-border supply 1 1
Consumption abroad 2 2
Commercial presence 3 3
Presence of natural persons 4 4
Horizontal limitationsbNo No Yes Yes No No Yes Yes
Commitments (■ full; ◨partial;  □ no commitment;  - does not appear in the Schedule)
Sector-specific commitments
1. Business services
A. Professional services −−−−−−−−
B. Computer and related services, exclusively:
Data processing servicesc■■■□■■■□
                  Software development servicesc ■■◨□■■■□
C. Research and development services −−−−−−−−
D. Real estate services −−−−−−−−
E.   Rental/leasing services without operators −−−−−−−−
F. Other business services
a. Advertising servicesc□■■□□■■□
2. Communication services −−−−−−−−
3. Construction services −−−−−−−−
4. Distribution services −−−−−−−−
5. Educational services −−−−−−−−
6. Environmental servicesc−−−−−−−−
7. Financial services
Table IV.7 (cont'd)
                                                     
27 WTO documents GATS/EL/38 and Suppl.1, of 15 April 1994 and 26 February 1998, respectively.WT/TPR/S/120 Trade Policy Review
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Market access National treatment
Modes of supply:
Cross-border supply 1 1
Consumption abroad 2 2
Commercial presence 3 3
Presence of natural persons 4 4
A. Insurance and insurance-related services
           Life and general insurance and reinsurance□□◨□□□■□
           Services auxiliary to insurance □□■□□□■□
B. Banking services
Acceptance of deposits (sight deposits, savings deposits
and term deposits in national currency)c□□◨□□□■□
Lending of all types (in national currency, excluding
mortgage credit)c□□◨□□□■□
           Provision of financial information □□■□□□■□
8. Health-related and social services −−−−−−−−
9. Tourism and travel-related services
A. Hotels and restaurants
Hotels □■■□□■■□
Restaurants □■■□□■■□
B. Travel agencies and tour operator servicesc−−−−−−−−
C. Tourist guide services −−−−−−−−
D. Other −−−−−−−−
10. Recreational and sporting services −−−−−−−−
11. Transport services
      Rental of motor vehicles □■■□□■■□
A. Maritime −−−−−−−−
B. Inland waterways −−−−−−−−
C. Air
Repair and maintenance services □■■□□■■□
       Sale or marketing of transport services □■□□□■□□
         Computerized reservation services ■■□□■■□□
D. Space −−−−−−−−
E. Rail −−−−−−−−
F. Road −−−−−−−−
G. Pipeline −−−−−−−−
H. Auxiliary −−−−−−−−
I. Other −−−−−−−−
12. Other services −−−−−−−−
a The only authentic source of information on the above commitments is Honduras' Schedule of Specific Commitments, as
contained in WTO documents GATS/SC/38 of 15 April 1994 and GATS/SC/38/Suppl.1 of 11 April 1997.
b Applicable only to services included in Honduras' Schedule.c Not applicable to all subdivisions in the services category (for further details, see Honduras' Schedule).
Source : WTO Secretariat.
(ii) Financial services
(a) Structure and performance
96. The financial services sector (including insurance and related services) accounted for 10.9 per
cent of total GDP in 2001 (Table I.1).  At 31 December 2002, the sector comprised 19 commercial
banks, one development bank, two branches of fo reign banks, two stock exchanges, 12 foreign
exchange bureaux, five pension funds, six general bonded warehouses, four savings and loanHonduras WT/TPR/S/120
Page 99
associations, eight finance companies, three public credit institutions, and 12 insurance companies
(Table AIV.1).
97. The Central Bank of Honduras (BCH) and the National Banking and Insurance Commission
(CNBS) are in charge of supervising the financial system.  The Superintendency of Banks, Finance
Companies and Savings and Loan Associations and the Superintendency of Insurance and Pensions
serve as the Commission's technical arms in their respective areas, while the Superintendency ofSecurities and Other Institutions is responsible for monitoring the securities market.
(b) Multilateral commitments
98. Honduras took part in the negotiations on financial services and accepted the Fifth Protocol to
the GATS, which was incorporated into its domestic legislation by Legislative Decree No. 60-99.
99. As regards banking institutions, only commercial presence is bound in Honduras' Schedule of
Specific Commitments, subject to conditions relating to market access as well as commercial
presence.  As far as deposit-taking is concerned, the commitments cover only sight and fixed-term
deposits in national and foreign currency.  Mortgage loans are excluded from Honduras' undertakings
on the granting of credit.  The establishment of financial institutions is subject to approval by the
BCH, following a recommendation by the CNBS in the light of the country's economic circumstances
and needs.  Approval is conditional upon, inter alia , a market survey showing that present and
prospective supply and demand in respect of financial services warrant the entry of a new institution
into the market.
100. The Schedule stipulates that foreign financial institutions may only operate in Honduras
through legally established branches or agencies.
28  However, supply under Mode 3 (commercial
presence) is unbound as regards the opening of branches of foreign banks.  Agencies of foreign banks
are not allowed to accept funds in Honduras.  Foreign banks are also subject to other commercialpresence requirements such as the obligation to set up as public limited companies with fixed capital
divided into ordinary registered shares, and the obligation for branches of foreign banks to have at
least two representatives domiciled in Honduras.
101. Honduras included insurance and reinsurance services in its GATS commitments under the
Uruguay Round and the Fifth Protocol negotiations.  Its Schedule makes the operation of an insuranceinstitution conditional upon the approval, by the BCH,  of a market survey showing that current and
future conditions in the insurance market guaran tee the satisfactory operation of the prospective
company.  Insurance companies are required to establ ish themselves locally as public limited companies
with fixed share capital or as mutual companies.  In the case of a public limited company with fixed
capital, the shares must be registered and at least 60 per cent of the company's equity must be owned by
Hondurans.
29  Honduras did not undertake any commitments regarding activities in the securities
market.
                                                     
28 The authorities have indicated that in practice this also applies to foreign banks seeking to operate in
Honduras, in which case the requirements are more stringent than for the establishment of branches.
29 The authorities have indicated that in practice there are no nationality restrictions on the composition
of capital under the Law on Insurance and Reinsurance Institutions.WT/TPR/S/120 Trade Policy Review
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(c) Banking
Features and performance
102. At 31 December 2002, the Honduran banking se ctor consisted of 19 private commercial
banks, one State development bank, and two agencies of foreign banks.  The number of commercial
banks has remained relatively stable in recent years, declining from 21 in 1996 to 19 in 2002;  there
have been a few mergers but also some bank failures, and several new institutions have emerged.  AtFebruary 2003, the five major banks controlled close to two thirds of the total assets.
30  The banking
industry is majority-owned by Honduran nationals, who control around 85 per cent of banking assets.
Only four of the 19 commercial banks are controlled by foreign (i.e. British, United States,
Panamanian and Salvadoran) capital.
103. The only State bank, the National Agricultural Development Bank (BANADESA),
specializes in agricultural credit.  The four savings and loan associations, all privately owned,
compete with the banks to some extent, as their main task is to serve as financial intermediaries
primarily for housing loans and related activities.  They may also provide credit for purposes other
than housing, but their total loans in this regard  may not exceed 35 per cent of the credit portfolio.
Savings and loan associations may receive savings and fixed-term deposits in either national orforeign currency.
104. As at 31 December 2002, total banking assets amounted to L75,118.3 million
(US$4,439.6 million).  Partly as a result of the introduction of more stringent capital adequacy
regulations, following two years of substantial loan increases and a deterioration in the quality of
credit, the banking industry's credit portfolio performance was sluggish between 1999 and 2002 –
especially up to 2001, which saw a contraction in the volume of credit (Table IV.8).  Low
performance was recorded in spite of the lowering of interest rates and the easing of legal reserve
requirements (Chapter I(3)(iii)).  The volume of credit for the agricultural and trade sectors in
particular dropped significantly between 1999 and 2002, as did that for manufacturing loans.  On the
other hand, credit for the services sector – especially consumer activities – expanded rapidly in
current lempiras.  Total credit contracted over the period 1999 to 2002 in both real and US dollar
terms, while deposits grew at a rate of almost 40 per cent in US dollar terms over the same period.
Table IV.8
Trends in the banking sector's net loan portfolio and deposits received, 1999 – 2002(millions of lempiras)
1999 2000 2001 2002
Total loans 43,138.0 43,193.1 42,727.6 47,260.3
  Equivalent in US dollars 3,006.1 2,877.6 2,730.2 2,845.3
Loans by economic sector
   Agriculture 5,178.0 5,210.5 4,759.1 3,777.1
   Industry 8,436.2 8,105.7 5,934.8 6,959.0
   Services 3,592.9 4,732.3 4,850.5 6,328.1
   Real estate 4,295.5 5,012.9 4,877.5 5,491.6
   Trade 18,361.9 16,576.1 16,556.9 14,949.3
   Consumption 3,233.0 3,521.4 5,588.1 9,461.3
Table IV.8 (cont'd)
                                                     
30 CNBS, Boletín Estadístico , February 2003.  Available online at:  http://www.cnbs.gov.hn/.Honduras WT/TPR/S/120
Page 101
1999 2000 2001 2002
   Other 40.4 34.1 160.8 293.9
Total deposits in national and foreign currency 29,426.7 36,050.5 41,406.2 47,339.1
  Equivalent in US dollars 2,050.6 2,401.8 2,645.8 2,850.0
Source : Central Bank of Honduras (2003), Boletín Estadístico , January 2003.  Available online at:  http://www.bch.hn/.
105. The differential between credit and savings performance in recent years partly reflects, as
outlined above, the introduction of more stringent capital requirements (see below), resulting in fewer
loans, and is also partly due to the high cost of financial intermediation in Honduras.  And althoughlending rates have dropped, they still remain high in real terms (14 per cent on average in 2002).
Moreover, the margin between lending and borrowing rates (12 percentage points in 2002) remains
substantial, having diminished only slightly in recent years.  Consequently, the banks have a high
level of liquidity, which prompted the BCH to introduce Absorption Certificates Denominated in
Dollars (CADD) in August 2001 and to authorize the banks to invest in CADDs any foreign currencynot subject to reserve requirements that could not be used for export or other credits.
106. Despite the easing of requirements for reserves in national currency, the commercial banks
are maintaining considerable reserves, a situation that partly reflects the still high requirements for
reserves in foreign currency.  At December 2002, the commercial banks' reserves amounted to
L10,082 million, i.e. an effective reserve rate amounted to 21.2 per cent compared with the legalreserve requirement of 12 per cent, excluding the mandatory investment requirement, which since
2002 has applied solely to foreign currency deposits.
107. According to the authorities, the easing of the legal reserve requirement has not led to credit
expansion.  They have also pointed out that in some cases the banks preferred not to grant loans and
to maintain a high level of liquidity in order to reduce interest rates.  This could be due toshortcomings and a low level of competition (despite the relatively large number of institutions).
108. These have been difficult times for the Honduran banking industry, partly because of the large
number of linked loans and regulations less stringent than those generally accepted in the international
sphere.  Until 1999, most of the Honduran banks were under-capitalized, causing a serious
deterioration in the situation of some banks and other financial institutions.  In order to improve thesolvency of the Honduran banking system, in Ju ly 1999 rules governing the capital adequacy of
banks, savings and loan associations and finance companies were established pursuant to CNBS
Circular No. 026/99.  The Circular fixed the initial minimum capital adequacy ratio at 9 per cent as of
30 June 1999;  this rose to 10 per cent as of 31 December 2000.  Mechanisms for weighting assets
according to the level of risk, using a scale of 0, 10, 20, 50 and 100 per cent applicable to the net
balance of depreciation and amortization, have also been introduced.  Stricter requirements and
weighting were established in order to deal with the under-capitalization of banks and to adjustHonduran requirements to the Basel standards.
109. As a result, three banks unable to adapt to the new requirements underwent compulsory
liquidation, and in the case of another bank a capitalization process was undertaken (see below).  As
regards the remaining banks, there was a significant increase in the rate of capitalization, meaning
that, in practice, the banks have capital adequacy ratios above the statutory requirement.  AtDecember 2002, the average ratio maintained by the commercial banks was 13.03 per cent.  LoansWT/TPR/S/120 Trade Policy Review
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that expired on 31 December 2002 represented around 5.7 per cent of the total, while coverage of bad
debts exceeded 100 per cent.  Average asset income amounted to 9 per cent in 2002.31
110. Between 1999 and 2002, the BCH, acting on the recommendation of the National Banking
and Insurance Commission (CNBS), declared the clos ure of four banks, six finance companies and
three cooperatives as a result of unlawful investments primarily linked to loans to related parties,
which led these financial institutions to invest in  failing companies related to them.  Until recently,
credit amounting to up to 120 per cent of the capital could be provided to related parties;  with the
adoption of the amended Financial Institutions Law in 2001, the limit has been reduced to 30 per cent.
The financial cost of liquidating these institutions is estimated to date at L4,204.3 million (some
US$240 million), of which L2,754.7 million were covered by the Government in cash or through the
issuing of bonds;  L450 million were charged to the BCH and L999.6 million were absorbed by the
Deposit Guarantee Fund (FOGADE), which ha s now become the Deposit Insurance Fund
(FOSEDE).32
Legislative framework
111. The Honduran financial system has undergone substantial changes in recent years, especially
in the legislative sphere, with the adoption of the new Financial Institutions Law, the Law onInsurance and Reinsurance Institutions and the Securities Market Law (Table AIV.2).
112. The Financial Institutions Law regulates the organization, establishment, operation, merging,
transformation and liquidation of banks and other financial institutions.
33  The financial entities
governed by the Law include public and private banks, savings and loan associations and finance
companies.  Finance companies may receive deposits, grant any type of loan and make investments in
national and foreign currency.
113. The banking system is supervised by the National Banking and Insurance Commission
(CNBS) and the BCH, which authorizes the establishment and merging of financial institutions, on
the recommendation of the CNBS.  Applications for authorization must be accompanied by a
document certifying that at least 10 per cent of the minimum capital of the prospective company has
been deposited with the BCH or that an investment in State securities has been made.  The BCH may
withdraw its authorization if the institution has not begun to operate within a period of six monthsfollowing the date on which the authorization was issued .  Authorized institutions must be listed in the
Property and Trade Register.  The Law stipulates that private financial institutions must be established
as public limited companies with fixed capital divided into ordinary registered shares transferable
solely by authorization of the BCH, on the reco mmendation of the CNBS.  The founding partners of
such institutions must be natural persons.
114. The CNBS must be notified of the opening or closure of agencies.  It is empowered to place
restrictions on or prohibit the opening of an agency where the capital or reserves are insufficient.  The
opening of subsidiaries of financial institutions or agencies abroad is subject to authorization by the
BCH, on the recommendation of the CNBS.
                                                     
31 CNBS, Boletín Estadístico , December 2002 and January 2003.  Available online at:
http://www.cnbs.gov.hn.
32 La Tribuna  of 6 February 2003.
33 This Law repealed the previous Banking Institutions Law of 1 September 1955 and the Law on
Savings and Loan Associations of 13 January 1976.Honduras WT/TPR/S/120
Page 103
115. Foreign financial institutions may establish or acquire a bank or operate in Honduras through
subsidiaries and agencies.  They are in principle subject to the same laws, regulations and decisions as
Honduran financial institutions.  The authorities have indicated that foreign and domestic banks are
subject to the same requirements regarding estab lishment.  Both are required to undergo an economic
needs test, which is more stringent in the case of branches.  The Law provides that the "BCH shall
refuse to authorize the opening of agencies or branches of foreign banks in the absence of reciprocityin their country of origin".  The authorities have confirmed that strict reciprocity requirement.
Agencies may make loans or invest in Honduras but  are not authorized to accept funds in Honduras.
116. Pursuant to the Law, the BCH fixes the minimum capital of financial institutions, which is
subject to biennial review.  In July 2002, the BCH established the minimum capital requirements at
L150 million (US$8.5 million at the May 2003 exchange rate) for banks;  at L45 million(US$2.5 million) for savings and loan associations;  and at L30 million (US$1.7 million) for finance
companies.
34  In the event of losses entailing a 25 per cent fall in capital and capital reserves, the
institution is required to recover that amount within a maximum period of one year.  The CNBS may
declare the compulsory liquidation of a financial institution whose capital adequacy ratio is under
60 per cent of the fixed level.
117. Financial institutions are required to classify their loans, investments and other assets
according to the level of recoverability.  Since 2001, financial institutions have been allowed to
acquire the loans of institutions subject to compul sory liquidation and weight them at zero risk,
meaning that no reserves are required.35  The purpose of such a measure is to promote the takeover of
financial institutions subject to compulsory liqui dation in order to "minimize the adverse impact of
compulsory liquidations on the public deficit, the stability of the financial system and depositors".36
118. The Law stipulates that a bank's direct or indirect share in any company may not exceed
25 per cent of the company's registered capital (20 per cent in the case of savings and loan
associations).  The total investments of a banking institution may not exceed 20 per cent of its capital
and reserves;  nor may the bank invest more than 40 per cent of its capital and capital reserves in
movable property, equipment or real estate.  Banks domiciled in Honduras require prior authorization
from the BCH for the granting of loans to natural or legal persons domiciled abroad.
119. The Law on Insurance of Deposits in Financial Institutions (Decree No. 53-2001) established
the Deposit Insurance Fund (FOSEDE) in order to gu arantee the public's deposits in the event of the
winding-up of a bank or its compulsory liquidation.  The FOSEDE is a decentralized entity of the
Ministry of the Presidency attached to the BCH and enjoying technical, administrative and budgetary
autonomy.  In addition to representatives of the BCH and the CNBS, the FOSEDE is made up of
representatives of the Honduran Association of Banking Institutions (AHIBA) and the Honduran
Council for Private Enterprise (COHEP).  Honduran citizenship is a requirement for membership of
the FOSEDE's governing body.  The FOSEDE took ov er the functions of the Deposit Guarantee Fund
(FOGADE), established under the Temporary Financial Stabilization Law contained in Decree
No. 148-99 of 29 September 1999.
120. Deposits with domestic or foreign private banks, savings and loan associations or finance
companies are covered by the insurance.  These institutions are required to contribute financially to
                                                     
34 Central Bank of Honduras, Resolution No. 237-7/2002.  Available online at:
http://www.bch.hn/download/resoluc.pdf.
35 CNBS Circular No. 11/2001 of 22 May 2001.
36 Resolution No. 384/22-05-2001.WT/TPR/S/120 Trade Policy Review
Page 104
the FOSEDE, paying premiums ranging from 0.1 to 0.25  per cent of the balance of deposits in the
liabilities column of each contributing institution at the close of the previous financial year.37  The
maximum cover for deposits in either national or foreign currency is L150,000 (around US$8,800) or
the equivalent in foreign currency, adjustable annually, per depositor and per financial institution.38
The State banks are not covered by the FOSEDE, but the guarantee is provided by the State.  Thedeposit recovery procedure up to the insured amount lies within the exclusive purview of theFOSEDE;  the amount is recovered, in the first inst ance, from the liquid assets on the balance sheet of
the financial institution subject to compulsory liquidation, those derived from the sale of other assets,
minus labour liabilities, and, if need be, from funds managed by the FOSEDE.
(d) Insurance
Features and performance
121. As at 31 December 2002, Honduras had 12 insurance companies operating through
54 agencies.  Two of the companies were controlled by foreign capital.  The State has no share in the
insurance sector.  Insurance activities have been expanding rapidly in Honduras in recent years.
Direct insurance premiums in 2001 totalled L2,191.8 million (around US$137 million), i.e. more than
double the amount recorded in 1997;  around 91.2 per cent corresponded to premiums paid byHonduran companies and 8.8 per cent to premiums pa id by foreign companies.  Insurance in force
that year amounted to L622,853 million (around US$3,890 million), i.e. more than triple the amount
recorded in 1997 (Table IV.9).  As many as 104,052 life insurance policies were contracted that year,
covering 1.51 per cent of the population.  The share of national revenue used for insurance increased
from 1.6 per cent in 1997 to 2.1 per cent in 2001.
Table IV.9
National insurance system, indicators of insurance activities, 1997-2001
(millions of lempiras, percentages and units (thousands))
Direct Insurance Premiums
Branches Amount
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Total 927.80 1,237.8 1,568.4 1,903.5 2,191.8
  Life
    Personal 98.5 131.9 146.1 189.1 199.2
    Collective 190.6 258.0 298.6 393.0 461.1
  Accident and health 81.9 135.4 209.9 254.3 259.9
  Damage
    Fire and related items 206.9 251.2 331.1 405.1 546.7
    Motor vehicles 246.1 337.5 394.2 446.8 523.5
    Transport 25.7 31.6 31.4 33.6 34.9
    Other 48.4 67.1 112.0 131.9 116.5
  Sureties 29.8 25.1 45.1 49.7 50.0
Table IV.9 (cont'd)
                                                     
37 Modification introduced by Decree No. 128-2002.  Available online at:
http://www.cnbs.gov.hn/Dec_128_2002.htm.
38 As a temporary measure up to 30 September 2002, the Government guaranteed 100 per cent of the
value of deposits.Honduras WT/TPR/S/120
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Direct Insurance Premiums
Insurance in force
Branches Number (thousands)
Total 219.7 256.4 288.1 332.2 304.7
  Life 88.6 99.3 104.6 117.8 118.8
  Accident 31.6 36.7 32.5 34.5 27.0
  Fire 45.2 50.3 58.0 64.9 67.2
  Automobile 21.4 30.4 36.9 43.1 38.4
Maritime and land transport 9.2 12.4 16.8 20.8 17.9
  Various 4.1 4.8 9.4 11.7 12.1
  Sureties 19.5 22.6 29.8 39.4 23.2
Branches Amount
Total 170,696.6 278,946.3 382,539.4 625,754.7 622,853.0
  Life 44,211.8 86,011.2 115,706.4 181,992.8 169,653.5
  Accident 22,306.1 33,126.7 54,958.2 163,950.6 164,350.8
  Fire 63,566.3 98,566.,4 126,709.0 172,145.6 179,357.0
  Automobile 13,895.1 23,865.8 31,810.3 42,939.3 51,116.2
Maritime and land transport 12,973.5 20,956.9 26,647.8 33,768.8 2,455.0
  Various 8,672.6 11,140.7 14,064.6 16,663.6 28,456.3
  Sureties 5,071.2 5,278.6 12,644.1 14,294.0 5,564.2
Percentage of national revenue used for insurance (direct premiums / national revenue)
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
1.6 1.8 1.9 2.1 2.1
Source: National Banking and Insurance Commission.
122. According to the CNBS, the solvency situation of the insurance system was acceptable in
2002.  In the last quarter of 2002, insurance company profits were 150 per cent higher on average than
those recorded over the same period the previous year.
Legislative framework
123. Insurance and reinsurance activities are governed by the Law on Insurance and Reinsurance
Institutions ( Decree No. 22-2001  enacted on 1 September 2001).  The Law classifies insurance
institutions into three groups:  (a) institutions ha ndling personal insurance;  (b) institutions handling
property damage or asset insurance and sureties;  and (c) institutions handling insurance in the first
and second groups.  Personal accident insurance may be handled by all three groups.  Pursuant to a
general resolution, the BCH fixes the minimum capital of insurance institutions, which must not belower than L25 million for insurance institutions in the first and second groups;  L50 million for those
in the third group;  and L70 million for reinsurance institutions.  The capital must be entirely
subscribed and paid up before the insurance or reinsurance institution begins to operate.
124. All insurance institutions setting up in Honduras must be established as public limited
companies with fixed capital divided into registered  shares;  the partners may be natural or legal
persons.  The establishment, merger, transformation or division of an insurance institution requires
authorization from the BCH, on the recommendatio n of the CNBS.  Authorization from the BCH may
be refused for reasons of national commodity.  The opening of subsidiaries of Honduran insurance
institutions abroad must also be approved by the BCH.  If approval is granted, any agency or
subsidiary of a Honduran company abroad is authorized to invest in the country of operation up to100 per cent of the capital and capital reserves allocated to it, plus the amount of technical andWT/TPR/S/120 Trade Policy Review
Page 106
mathematical reserves generated by the policies taken out in that country, provided that the relevant
domestic laws so permit.
125. Foreign insurance institutions are allowed to operate in Honduras – subject to authorization
by the BCH – through subsidiaries and generally receive national treatment.  However, the capital of
the parent company must guarantee the commitments and responsibilities undertaken by the
company's subsidiaries.  Before authorization is granted, it is ascertained whether there aresupervisory bodies in the parent company's home country which follow regulatory procedures based
on international standards or standards that are similar to or stricter than those used in Honduras when
carrying out their audits.  The prospective company is also required to present a document certifying
that at least 10 per cent of its minimum capital has either been deposited with the BCH or invested in
State securities;  the amount is refunded once the application has been approved.
126. Insurance institutions are allowed to participate in certain banking operations, with some
restrictions.  They may, for example, provide credit secured by assets or collateral up to a certain
limit;  they may also provide mortgage-secured loans, repayable in regular instalments for a term not
exceeding 25 years.  Insurance institutions are not authorized, however, to grant loans to or conduct
other operations with natural or legal persons domiciled abroad without the authorization of the BCH,or to engage in direct or indirect credit operations with the same person or institution in amounts that
exceed 20 per cent of the insurance institution's capital and capital reserves.
127. The Law stipulates that mergers among insuran ce companies are, in principle, authorized by
the BCH, on the recommendation of the CNBS, as well  as any other modification of public deeds that
may include the transfer of shares by natural or legal persons.  The above is authorized unless the
takeover company or new company fails to comply with the established minimum capital requirement
or the solvency rules in force, or, as a result of the merger, it is able to maintain or fix unfair prices,limit services, or prevent, restrict or distort free competition in the markets in which it participates.
The Law prohibits mergers between insurance and reinsurance institutions if the intention of the new
institution is to handle both activities.  The CNBS  must be notified when any natural person acquires
shares for a value which, added to that of shares already owned by the person in the institution,
exceeds 10 per cent of the subscribed and paid up capital.
(e) Securities market
128. The securities market in Honduras is in its early stages, with a stock exchange that has a
limited number of transactions largely involving the issue of Government bonds.  The capital market
is governed by the Securities Market Law (Decree No. 8-2001), which regulates the public offer of
securities, securities market services, primary issue and secondary securities markets both within and
outside stock exchanges, safekeeping of securities and other securities market activities.  The Law
does not regulate the issuing of Government bonds and securities.  The CNBS, operating through the
Securities Market Superintendency, is the regulatory authority.
129. The Securities Market Law established the Public Securities Market Register and stipulates
that securities may not be offered to the public unless both the securities and the issuing entity are
listed in the Register.  The Law further provides that the only entities authorized to issue securities are
the issuers in respect of their own securities;  owners of securities in the secondary market;  and
securities firms.  Stock exchanges must be established as public limited companies, approved by theBCH.  Shareholding in stock exchanges is limited to securities firms, which must be no less than five
in number, and no shareholder may hold, directly or indirectly, more than a 20 per cent share in the
registered capital.  There are no nationality restrictions on shareholding in or management of
securities firms.  Every stock exchange is required to set up a guarantee fund, supplied by monthlyHonduras WT/TPR/S/120
Page 107
contributions from the securities firms and exclusively designed to secure an amount up to the limit of
the fund.  Securities firms must meet a minimum capital requirement of L1 million.
130. The Securities Market Law also regulates fund management companies, which must be public
limited companies with the exclusive purpose of managing one or more mutual funds and/or
investment funds.  The minimum capital requirement for fund management companies is also
L1 million;  the capital may not be less than 2 per cent of the total assets managed in the case ofmutual funds, or more than 1 per cent of the total assets managed in the case of investment funds.
Fund management companies must be listed in the Register.
131. The Law provides that no natural or legal person may own, either directly or indirectly, more
than 10 per cent of the net worth of a mutual fund.  Mutual funds must maintain at least 50 per cent of
their investments in securities negotiated in cent ralized mechanisms or in securities issued or
guaranteed by the State, the BCH or authorized fi nancial institutions established and/or domiciled in
Honduras.  They may not hold shares in a single company for a value exceeding 15 per cent of the
subscribed and paid up capital, or more than 15 per cent of bonds in circulation issued or guaranteed
by a single entity, with the exception of bonds issued by the Central Government or the BCH;  nor
may they invest more than 15 per cent of their total assets in securities issued or guaranteed by asingle entity or more than 25 per cent of their total assets in securities issued or guaranteed by a single
financial group.  Mutual funds are required to have a monitoring body composed of three to
six persons.
132. Investment funds are closed corporations with a fixed number of shares in the form of share
certificates, which may be obtained or negotiated through a public or private offer.  Natural or legal
persons may not hold, directly or indirectly, more than a 25 per cent share in an investment fund's
registered capital.  Investment in securities issued or guaranteed by the same legal person or financialgroup may not exceed 25 per cent of the fund's total assets, except for securities issued by the Central
Government or the BCH;  direct or direct investment in an asset or project may not exceed 50 per cent
of the fund's total assets.  According to the authorities, up to mid-2003 no authorizations had been
issued for the establishment of mutual funds or investment funds.  The Securities Market Law does
not apply to pension funds, which are regulate d by a special law on pension fund management
companies.
(f) Cooperatives
133. Although they are not included in the statistics on the financial sector, cooperatives, which
form part of the Federation of Savings and Credit Cooperatives of Honduras (FACACH) and the
Agricultural Cooperatives Financial Company, Ltd, play a major role in financial intermediation.  Thetwo main cooperatives in Honduras are "La Sagrada Familia" and "Helga", which perform functions
similar to those of banking institutions.
134. The cooperatives are governed by the Law on Honduran Cooperatives (Decree No. 65-87).
39
Their activities are regulated by the Honduran Cooperatives Institute (IHDECOOP).  A new law on
cooperatives is now before the National Congress.  Under the new law, the CNBS supervises theoperations of savings and credit cooperatives, applying solvency indicators similar to those used for
the financial system.
                                                     
39The Law is available online at:  http://www.facach.hn/archivos/Ley%20de% 20Cooperativas.pdf.WT/TPR/S/120 Trade Policy Review
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135. The Government has been promoting the chan nelling of loans to the agricultural sector
through cooperatives, and on 9 April 2001 it issued Decree No. 32-2001, which contains the Law on
Financial Recovery for the Revival of the Agricultural Sector (Chapter IV(2)(ii)).
(iii) Telecommunications
Features and performance
136. The communication sector's share of GDP increased in real terms between 1997 and 2001;  in
terms of total value added, the telecommunications and transport sectors together accounted for
5.9 per cent of GDP in 2001, compared to 4.6 per cent in 1997.  Investment in telecommunications
services came to US$49.1 million in 2000, cellular telephony accounting for 70 per cent of that
amount.  Infrastructure indicators likewise reflected expansion, the number of fixed lines having
increased from 190,236 in 1996 to over 310,000 by December 2001.  The number of mobile phonesubscribers increased from zero to 237,629 over the same period (Table IV.10).
137. Overall, fixed telephone rates, with the exception of local calls, have dropped slightly in
nominal terms for domestic as well as international long-distance calls.  They remain high in relationto international rates, however, especially for international long-distance calls.
40  The authorities have
indicated that efforts are being made to readjust the rates and reduce the subsidy component of local
calls.  In 2003, they accordingly raised the monthly base rate and reduced the number of minutes freeof charge under the base rate, thus increasing chargeable time.
138. The State telecommunications company (HONDUTEL) was not privatized in 2000 as
planned.  A public international call for bids for 51 per cent of the company's shares failed because theonly bid submitted did not reach the minimum pri ce fixed by the Government.  The prequalified
companies, France Télécom and Telefónica de España, withdrew in the final stage of the process.
The only bid came from the Mexican telephone company Telmex, which offered US$106 million,
well below the base price of US$300 million.  The Government accordingly decided to postpone the
privatization process indefinitely.
139. When the decision was taken to privatize HONDUTEL, it was estimated that the company
would need the approximately US$300 million generated by the sale in order to meet its obligation to
expand telecommunications services and networks and reach an acceptable level of coverage andpenetration.  HONDUTEL did not have sufficient own f unds for the investment, despite the fact that it
is one of the most profitable companies in Central America, with net profits of US$131.3 million in
2001 and US$132.4 million in 2000.
41  In 2001, its total assets were US$676.6 million, making it the
largest Honduran enterprise and main single contributor to the financing of the public deficit.
Table IV.10
Telecommunications indicators, 1996-2001
Services 1996 2001
1. Public telecommunications services operators
Fixed telephony 1 1
Mobile telephony 1 1
Table IV.10 (cont'd)
                                                     
40 In comparison, the calling charge per minute from Honduras to the United States was US$1.24 in
2001 compared to US$0.25 in El Salvador.  See WTO (2003), Trade Policy Review of El Salvador.
41 La Tribuna  of 12 November 2002.  Information available online at:
http://www.latribunahon.com/2002/noviembre/12/econo.htm.Honduras WT/TPR/S/120
Page 109
Services 1996 2001
Switched data transmission 1 26
Internet 16 3
Cable television 59 103
Sound broadcasting 251 231
Television broadcasting 34 43
Other 25 86
2. Fixed telephony
Number of fixed lines in service 190,236 310,617
Number of fixed lines installed 316,025 404,573
Public payphones (total) 1,185 2,509
Public teledensity (number of phones/100 inhabitants) 0.02 0.04
Density of fixed lines in service (number of phones/100 inhabitants) 3.28 4.65
Digitalization level (%) 71.5 82.8
Employees/1000 phone lines in service 15.4 11.2
3. Fixed telephone rates
Household installation cost (US$) 38 31.95
Business installation cost (US$) 76 63.90
Monthly rate for household lines (US$) 1.69 2.55
Monthly rate for business lines (US$) 3.38 6.39
Minutes included in monthly subscription 450 150
Cost of local calls/minute (US$) 0.017 0.022
Cost of domestic long-distance calls/minute (US$) 0.14 0.10
Cost of international long-distance calls to the United States/minute (US$) 1.40 1.09
4. Mobile telephony
Number of cellular phone subscribers 0 237,629
Teledensity (phones/100 inhabitants) 0 3.4
Note: Exchange rate for 1996:  L11.84/US$;  for 2001:  L15.65/US$.
Source :C O N A T E L .
140. In early 2003, HONDUTEL was still controlled by the State and remained the only provider
of fixed telephony services.  HONDUTEL will hol d this statutory monopoly until December 2005.
Likewise, in early 2003 there was only one provider of mobile telephony services, CELTEL;  in
April 2003, however, the second mobile telephony concession was granted to the emerging Megatel-
Emce Consortium, which will operate under the name Megatel de Honduras.  CELTEL has a 10-year
concession, which may be extended in accordance with the applicable legislation.  Since theconcession was granted under the legislation in force prior to the enactment of the Framework Law on
the Telecommunications Sector, the CONATEL undertook to adapt it to the Framework Law, a
process that has been challenged through legal channels.
141. According to the Law, HONDUTEL's exclusive rights in respect of telephony and carrier
services expire on 25 December 2005.  The sector will be fully opened up in 2006, once theregulatory reforms needed to facilitate the process have been completed.WT/TPR/S/120 Trade Policy Review
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Legislative framework
142. There have been no substantial changes to the legislative and regulatory framework governing
the telecommunications sector in Honduras si nce 1995.  Up to 1995, HONDUTEL, as the State
enterprise holding the monopoly for the provision of basic telecommunications services, also served
as the regulatory authority.  The Framework Law on Telecommunications (Decree Law No. 185-95 of
31 October 1995) divided up those two functions, establishing the National TelecommunicationsCommission (CONATEL) and entrusting it with the regulatory aspect.
143. CONATEL is a decentralized body under the Mini stry of Finance that enjoys technical,
administrative and budgetary autonomy.  It is in charge of implementing Honduran
telecommunications policy and plays a regulatory and coordinating role in this regard.  The President
of the Republic is responsible for formulating telecommunications policy, with the assistance ofCONATEL.  The Commission represents Honduras in matters involving telecommunications, and
issues the regulations and technical standards required for the provision of telecommunications
services, as well as those governing rates applicable by telecommunications services operators that are
not actually in a competitive situation.
144. CONATEL issues the authorizations, concessions, permits and registration certificates needed
for the provision of telecommunications services;  it also endorses the rules for the approval of
telecommunications equipment.  The Commission performs supervisory tasks, ensuring compliance
with the laws, regulations, technical standards, rules governing rates and other provisions, as well as
with international telecommunications treaties, conv entions and agreements;  monitoring fulfilment of
the obligations stemming from concessions, permits or registration;  and administering the use of the
radioelectric spectrum.  Moreover, CONATEL is responsible for implementing the sector's
competition policies and for investigating and imposing penalties for any infringement committed
under the Framework Law on the Telecommunications Sector and the relevant regulations.  The
Commission is made up of three members appointed for a four-year term by the President of the
Republic, acting through the Ministry of Fina nce.  The members of the Commission must be
Hondurans by birth.
145. The Framework Law on the Telecommunications  Sector, amended by Decree No. 118-97 of
25 October 1997, establishes the rules governing telecommunications services.  The Law and other
regulatory aspects concerning the telecommunications sector are implemented through a series of
regulations.  The General Regulations of the Framework Law on the Telecommunications Sector
(Decision No. 89/97, recently amended by De cision No. 141-2002 of 23 December 2003) implement
the Law, specifying its scope and laying down supplementary provisions and rules concerning ratesand operating charges for telecommunications services.  The Interconnection Regulations (Resolution
No. 1053/98), recently amended by Resolution No. NR008-03 of 25 March 2003, establish the
technical, financial and administrative terms governing interconnection and access to public
telecommunications service networks.  The Regulations on National Broadcasting Channels
(Resolution No. NR024/99 of 28 October de 1999) provide the basic rules governing transmission by
national channels to operators of sound broadcasting, television broadcasting and subscriber television
services.  The Regulations on Telecommunications Services Rates and Costs (Resolution
No. NR028/99 of 22 December 1999) contain the supp lementary provisions and rules concerning
rates and operating charges for telecommunications services in Honduras.
146. Pursuant to the Law, a concession, permit or registration certificate must be obtained from
CONATEL in order to provide telecommunications services.  A concession is also required for the
provision of carrier and basic end-user public telecommunications services;  a permit is needed forsupplementary end-user, radiocommunication, broadcas ting and private network services, as well asHonduras WT/TPR/S/120
Page 111
private services;  prior registration with CONATEL is necessary for value-added services.  A
CONATEL licence is required for services using the radioelectric spectrum.  As a general rule,
concessions and licences are granted without exclusive rights, unless financial or technical reasons
warrant the temporary granting of exclusive rights to a limited number of operators.  There are no
restrictions on the participation of foreign private operators, other than the prohibition on foreign
governments participating directly in the provision of telecommunications services.
147. A concession is granted for a term not exceeding 25 years;  a permit is valid for 15 years and
registration for five years;  all are renewable.  Permits for free-reception broadcasting services are
granted for 15 years and are renewed automatically for periods of equal duration, provided that certain
legal requirements are fulfilled.  Licences are issued subject to the term of validity of the concession,
permit or registration of the authorized service.  Concessions are granted through a public invitation totender.  Concessions, permits and licences may not be transferred to third parties without written
authorization from CONATEL.
148. Every concession, permit and registration and the use of radioelectric frequencies are subject
to the payment of duties, taxes or royalties, depending on the case, all of which are fixed by
CONATEL.
42  Moreover, CONATEL is empowered to regulate the rates charged by operators of
carrier, basic end-user and supplementary telecommunications services, with the exception of services
provided by media promoting the free circulation of  ideas, where it is determined that such services
are not being provided under proper conditions of competition (see  below).
149. Interconnection among public networks is mandatory provided that it is technically and
operationally feasible.  Public network operators with a dominant market position are required to
provide interconnection on technical and financial terms that do not discriminate between
interconnected operators.  Interconnection agreements must guarantee equal access to other operatorsand impartiality as regards the activities of the operator with the dominant market position and those
of its competitors.
150. The Law prohibits practices that limit or distort competition and defines these as agreements
among enterprises engaged in providing telecommunicat ions services with a view to dividing up the
market, fixing the same or similar prices or charges when costs are not the same, and limiting accessby potential competitors.  For a practice to be considered as restricting competition, such agreements
must have the aforementioned effects, give a discri minatory preference over competitors, or involve
abuse of a dominant position in order to obtain a market advantage.  If they provide several services,
operators must keep separate accounts for each service.
151. Regarding rates, the General Regulations of the Framework Law on the Telecommunications
Sector state that the general regime applicable to telecommunications services is freedom to set prices,
meaning that CONATEL is not involved in fixing the rates.  Nevertheless, as indicated in the Law,
CONATEL can regulate rates when there is no competition for the supply of public services, and it
does so in practice when telecommunications services are supplied by a single operator.  CONATEL
also has the authority to regulate charges when rates for supplying services are applied in adiscriminatory manner or when it is determined that a service is being provided below cost.  When
                                                     
42 CONATEL collects the following duties from telecommunications service operators:   concession,
permit or registration fees;  monitoring service charges;  and royalties for use of the radioelectric spectrum.
Monitoring service charges are collect ed from all public telecommunications services operators, with the
exception of free-reception broa dcasting services;  the charge amounts to 0.05 per cent of the gross income of
the operator providing the authorized service, invoiced and paid in Honduran territory, minus the sales tax andany interconnection access charge paid by the operator.WT/TPR/S/120 Trade Policy Review
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CONATEL intervenes to set rates, the aim is to ensure that services correspond to the costs incurred.
CONATEL can also regulate rates when operators fail to reach agreement on fixing access charges or
when the access charges by operators differ considerab ly from the costs.  According to the authorities,
CONATEL has in fact done this.
152. The rates charged must be uniform and homogenous and must take into account the
recommendations and regulations of international telecommunications organizations.  Operators musteach charge the same rate for the same service throughout Honduras, but they may offer special
discounts in given areas taking into account the development situation there and the cost incurred in
supplying the service.
153. As there is no competition in fixed and mobile telephony services, the rates for
telecommunications services are in practice fixed through a maximum price system.  Where it isnecessary to ensure that there is competition, CONATEL can also determine minimum rates for
telecommunications services.  The purpose of the system of maximum rates is to adjust the cost of
fixed telephony services to the long-term marginal cost.  The fixed telephony service is subject to
tariff readjustments until 31 December 2005.  This readjustment is being effected through successive
modifications of the maximum rates by CONATEL with the aim of ensuring that, when exclusivityends, the rates will have been readjusted.  If some services are not being provided at long-term
marginal cost at the end of the rate readjustment period, CONATEL is empowered to develop an
additional rate readjustment programme, as well as the corresponding maximum rates, so that the rate
for these services is adjusted to the long-term marginal cost.
154. For telecommunications services subject to tariff regulation, the maximum rates are
calculated according to a formula for each service and these are to be found in the Regulations on
Telecommunications Services Rates and Costs (RTCST).   When determining the maximum rates forfixed telephony services, the RTCST defines three "baskets" (local, national and international calls).
The companies holding concessions use a formula that allows the maximum rates for a given service
to be adjusted over a period by weighting the basket for the traffic concerned, adjusted for seasonal
variations for the service during the previous period.
155. In the case of fixed telephony services, the maximum rates are also adjusted periodically.  For
the baskets expressed in Honduran currency, with the exception of long-distance calls within
Honduras, the adjustment takes into account exch ange rate fluctuations and changes in the
United States consumer price index (CPI).  For adju stments in domestic long-distance traffic, inflation
in the United States is not taken into account, only exchange rate fluctuations;  for baskets expressed
in United States dollars, changes in the United States CPI alone are taken into account, apart from theefficiency factor.  The latter was 0 per cent annually for the period 1 January 2000 to
31 December 2002 and is 3 per cent annually for each of the periods between 1 January 2003 and
31 December 2005.  Thereafter, it will be reviewed by CONATEL every three years in order to reflect
progress in the efficiency of the telecommunications sector.  The maximum rates for international
traffic can also be adjusted in order to take into account possible changes in terminal or transitcorrespondent rates.
156. The RTCST provides that rates for cellular mobile telephony services and personal
communications services for mobile terminals include:  the cost of the subscription, paid once only;  a
monthly connection charge;  the rate for using the service, which covers any access charges as a result
of interconnection and also effective traffic.  Operators may offer tariff plans, which must be based on
the long-term margin cost and must not be subsid ized.  Tariff plans may, however, include a free
traffic quota in the monthly charge for connecting to the service.  The service is usually provided onthe basis of the tariff principle that the person calling pays the charge.Honduras WT/TPR/S/120
Page 113
157. Honduras has not included commitments on basic telephony or other telecommunications
services in its GATS Schedule of Specific Commitments.43  It did make any offers either during the
GATS negotiations on basic telecommunications.
(iv) Transport
(a) Maritime transport
158. The Directorate-General of the Merchant Marine, attached to the Ministry of Public Works,
Transport and Housing, is responsible for formulating policies and for maritime transport activities,
including maritime safety, environmental protection, the granting of licences, navigation permits,
technical certificates, training and diplomas for the Merchant Marine.  It has a Vessel Registration
Department, whose maritime transport responsibiliti es include drawing up the legal framework for the
navigation of pleasure craft and scheduled maritime transport services, both as regards maritimesafety and protection of the marine environment and meeting the needs for each type of traffic.
According to the authorities, the objective is to achieve a balance between the interests of suppliers of
transport services and the interests of users of such services, as well as to promote Honduran national
and international trade, as required by Article 1 of the Maritime Transport Regulations.
159. Honduras has the following 11 commercial ports:   Puerto Cortés, Roatán, La Ceiba, Puerto
Lempira, Guanaja, Tela, Utila, Castilla, Amapala, Omoa and San Lorenzo.  The larger ports are
administered by the National Port Enterprise (ENP), which is also present in the other ports managed
by concessionaires.  The ENP is an autonomous public sector institution set up for the purpose of
facilitating port services and developing and maintaining Honduras' ports.  It has sole responsibility
for managing, running, overseeing and carrying out port operations in all Honduras' port facilities, as
well as for guarding, handling and storing goods for export or import, and providing services to
vessels loading or unloading goods in Honduran po rts.  The ENP, may however, subcontract services
to private firms.  The supply of port services is no t subject to any restrictions as to nationality, except
for pilot services, which must all be provided by the ENP.
160. Puerto Cortés is the largest port and is situated 35 kilometres from San Pedro Sula.  It has
2,400m
2  of wharves, can accommodate 10 vessels of 10,000 GRT at the same time, and has facilities
for containers  and "roll-on roll-off" cargo.  In 2002, Puerto Cortés handled 5.8 million tonnes ofcargo, of which 4 million tonnes were imports and 1.8 million tonnes exports.  Cargo and other
services to the major ports in North America, the Caribbean, Europe and Asia are provided on a
regular basis by some 17 shipping companies, the majority of which are foreign firms with a local
agent.  In early 2003, the ENP was implementing an investment programme in order to improve some
security aspects in Honduran ports so as to meet  the relevant international requirements.  The
authorities have indicated that L32 million has been approved for projects to improve the ports.
161. Tariff policy for port and related services, including cabotage, is determined by the ENP
through a Tariff Committee, which recommends the a pplication of charges that must then be approved
by the Ministry of Public Works, Transport and Ho using.  According to the authorities, the charges
are fixed on the basis of costs.
162. The Basic Law on the National Merchant Marine, Decree No. 167-94 of 4 November 1994, as
well as the Maritime Transport Regulations, published in the Official Journal of Honduras of
13 December 1997, through Decision No. 000764, regulate maritime activities, including maritime
transport.  Foreign maritime traffic is open to vessels of any country.  The Maritime Transport
                                                     
43 WTO document GATS/SC/38 of 15 April 1994.WT/TPR/S/120 Trade Policy Review
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Regulations (Article 11) provide that, in exceptio nal circumstances, bilateral agreements containing
cargo-sharing clauses may be concluded, on reciprocal terms, with other countries, and national
shipping companies from other Central American countries are eligible on a non-discriminatory basis.
163. The Basic Law on the National Merchant Marine contains a reservation on cabotage for
commercial purposes, which is limited to Honduran merchant vessels.  The Law (Article 40)
nevertheless provides that "where there are no Honduran merchant vessels or they are not available,and for as long as those circumstances persist, the Directorate-General of the National Merchant
Marine may authorize foreign merchant vessels, especially those under a Central American flag, to
provide cabotage services in Honduras".  The provision of cabotage services generally requires prior
authorization by the Directorate-General, after it has heard the views of the Ministry of Public Works,
Transport and Housing.
164. Honduras' national merchant fleet comprises 1,661 vessels of over 5 gross tonnes and 861 of
less than 5 tonnes, whose operations are supervised by the Directorate-General of the Merchant
Marine.  The Vessel Registration department keeps three registers of vessels;  the Register of Large
Vessels, which lists all vessels weighing over 20 gross tonnes;  the Register of Small Vessels, which
includes vessels weighing less than 20 gross tonnes but more than 5;  and the Register of Owners,Charterers, and Shipowners.  The first two Regist ers list all vessels belonging to the Honduran
Merchant Marine whether or not they usually navigate in Honduran waters and irrespective of the
nationality of the owner, charterer, or shipowner and his place of domicile.  Registers are open to
Honduran and foreign vessels.  Nevertheless, any vessel registered in Honduras becomes a Honduran
vessel and is temporarily subject to Honduran legislation as long as it is registered in Honduras.  The
navigating permit, which has a term of four years, proves that the vessel comes under the Honduran
flag.  There is also a register of vessels of less than 5 tonnes.
165. A Register of Shipping Companies is also kept and it includes firms engaged in domestic
maritime traffic and cabotage (first section of the Register) and firms engaged in foreign maritime
traffic (second part).  To be able to provide domestic maritime and cabotage services, shipping
companies must be established and domiciled in Honduras and 51 per cent of their registered capital
must be held by Honduran nationals.
166. Honduran legislation allows maritime traffic services to be provided by firms taking part in
conferences or consortiums (Article 43 of the Maritime Transport Regulations).  Where a conference
includes an agreement on sharing traffic, all Hondura n enterprises have an equal right to take part,
forming one national group.  Where the conference concerns foreign traffic, the Honduran regulations
provide that Honduran companies and companies at th e other end of the line have equal shares in the
amount of cargo and the volume of trade generated.  If firms from third countries participate, these
have a "right to a substantial share, around 20 per cent of cargo and volume of traffic generated on the
route".
44
167. Natural or legal persons wishing to provide towing, maritime agency, ship and cargo broking,
dredging, underwater, maritime accounting, salvage and maritime communication services must belisted in the Register of companies providing maritime services kept by the Directorate-General of the
Merchant Marine.  There are no restrictions on nationality.
168. Honduras is party to several international maritime agreements administered by the
International Maritime Organization.
169. Honduras did not make any commitments on maritime transport under the GATS.
                                                     
44 Maritime Transport Regulations, Article 51(b).Honduras WT/TPR/S/120
Page 115
(b) Air transport
170. The Ministry of Public Works, Transport an d Housing (SOPTRAVI) is responsible for air
transport.  The SOPTRAVI's Aviation Department  coordinates, plans, monitors, inspects and
regulates air transport, general and commercial civil aviation, airports, and air navigation safety.
171. Honduras has four international airports:  Toncontín, in Tegucigalpa;  Ramón Villeda Morales
in San Pedro Sula;  Golosón in La Ceiba;  and Ju an Manuel Gálvez in Roatán in the Bahía Islands.
Six other airports receive domestic flights.  The State owns all the airports.  The majority of
international traffic, both passengers and freight, goes through the airports of Toncontín and Ramón
Villeda Morales.  From 1997 to 2002, there was steady growth in passenger traffic, at an average
annual rate of 8 per cent, and in 2002 1.8 million passengers were carried, of which 1.4 million went
through international airports (Table IV.11).  Freight traffic also increased between 1997 and 2002,mainly through the Ramón Villeda Morales airport, where it amounted to 11,837 tonnes in 2002 in
that airport alone.
Table IV.11
Indicators for Honduras' international airports, 1997-2001
Passengers (thousands) Freight (thousands of kg.) Aircraft (thousands)
Year Entry Exit Total Imports Exports Total Arrivals Departures Total
1997 558.2 555.6 1,113.8 1,211.8 1,079.7 2,291.5 37.3 37.1 74.4
1998 533.1 569.3 1,102.4 1,040.0 1,205.6 2,245.6 40.5 39.7 80.2
1999 574.3 621.8 1,196.1 1,037.3 1,016.5 2,053.8 42.1 40.5 82.6
2000 629.0 672.7 1,301.7 1,025.3 778.5 1,803.8 49.4 49.3 98.7
2001 688.4 706.5 1,394.9 1,084.8 1,009.7 2,094.5 50.0 50.2 100.2
Source: Directorate-General of Civil Aviation of Honduras.
172. Until 2000, the airports were managed by the State.  In March that year, the Government
granted a concession to operate the four international airports at Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, La
Ceiba and Roatán to the company Interairports and its operating partner in the United States.  The
concession is for a renewable period of 20 years as of 1 October 2000 and was awarded following an
international public call for bids.
173. The legislation and regulations on air transport are governed by the Chicago Convention and
the principal provisions are to be found in:  the Civil Aviation Law, Decree No. 146-1957, the Open
Skies Law, Decree No. 23-2000;  the Decision on Liberalizing Fares, Decision No. 26-94, the
Operating Certificates Regulations (Decision N o. 1518-92), and the Flight Protection Law, Decree
No. 319-2002.  According to the authorities, a new Civil Aviation Law is under consideration and
review.
174. A departure tax of US$25 is paid by international travellers using Honduran airports.  There is
also an additional charge of US$2 for phytosanitary registration.
175. The Ministry of Public Works, Transport and Housing is responsible for granting operating
certificates for public and private air transport, auxiliary services and infrastructure, for monitoring
competition in the area of air transport, for preventing monopolistic practices.  For this purpose, theMinistry has the authority to impose charges for airport, aviation and air navigation services, air
transit control and flight protection.WT/TPR/S/120 Trade Policy Review
Page 116
176. There are no limitations on foreign investment when setting up airlines in Honduras as far as
international traffic is concerned.  Honduras has concluded a free air space agreement with the United
States, but it has not been ratified.  It also has bilateral agreements with the United States and Canada.
Landing permits are freely granted to all countries however, without the need for reciprocity.  Under
the Open Skies Law, Decree No. 23-2000, Honduras adopted an open skies policy under which third,
fourth and fifth freedoms are granted without restriction to all countries for scheduled or charteredinternational commercial air services.  Operating cer tificates required for air transport services are
therefore not subject to the principle of reciprocity.
177. Air fares may be freely determined.  Decision No. 26-94 provides for the liberalization of
national and international charges fares for transporting freight, mail and passengers by air.
178. Honduras has a national airline, Aero Honduras (better known under its business name of Sol
Air), with a majority Honduran shareholding, which has been in operation since June 2002.  Other
domestic airlines include:  Aero Caribe of Honduras;  Aerolíneas Sosa;  Atlantic of Honduras;  TACA
of Honduras;  and Royal Antillas Air of Hondur as.  Foreign airlines which operate services to
Honduras include:  TACA International;  Iberia;  American Airlines;  Continental;  Aviateca;  and
Transportes Aéreos Guatemaltecos.
179. Honduras belongs to the Central American Air Navigation Services Corporation
(COCESNA).
180. Regarding commitments under the GATS, Honduras bound repair and maintenance services
with respect to market access and national treatment for modes of consumption abroad and
commercial presence.Honduras WT/TPR/S/120
Page 117
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