WT/TPR/M/443  
29 August 2023 
(23-5787) Page: 1/37 
Trade Policy Review Body  
12 and 14 July 2023   
 
  
TRADE POLICY REVIEW  
HONDURAS  
MINUTES OF THE MEETING  
Chairperson: H.E. Mr Saqer Abdullah Almoqbel (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)  
CONTENTS  
 
1  INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON  ................................ .......................  2 
2  OPENING STATEMENT BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF HONDURAS  ................................ . 4 
3  STATEMENT BY THE DISCUSSANT  ................................ ................................ ................  6 
4  STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS  ................................ ................................ ..........................  9 
5  REPLIES BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF HONDURAS  AND ADDITIONAL COMMENTS  .... 30 
6  CONCLUDING REMARKS BY TH E CHAIRPERSON  ................................ .........................  36 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note: Advance written questions and additional questions by WTO Members, and the replies provided 
by Honduras  are reproduced in document WT/TPR/M/ 443/Add.1  and will be available online at 
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tpr_e/tp_rep_e.htm.  WT/TPR/M/443 • Honduras  
 
- 2 - 
 
  1  INTRODUCTOR Y REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON  
1.1.  The fourth  Trade Policy Review of Honduras  was held on 12 and 14  July 2023. The Chairperson, 
H.E. Mr Saqer Abdullah  Almoqbel  (Kingdom of Saudi  Arabia) welcomed the delegation of Honduras , 
headed by H.E.  Mr Fredis  Alonso  Cerrato  Valladares , Minister of Economic Development ; 
H.E. Ambassador Dacio  Castillo , Permanent Representative of Honduras  to the WTO; the rest of the 
delegation; and the discussant, H.E. Ambassador María  Pagán (United  States) . 
1.2.  The Chairperson was pleased that, in addition to physical presence, the meeting also benefited 
from the Interprefy online connection, allowing for a wider participation of the Membership.  
1.3.  The Chairperson recalled the purpose of TPRs and the main elements of procedures for the  
meeting. The Report by Honduras  is contained in document WT/TPR/G /443, and that of the WTO 
Secretariat in document WT/TPR/S/ 443. 
1.4.  Questions by the following delegations were submitted in writing before the deadline: Canada, 
United  Kingdom, Singapore, Brazi l, Guatemala, United  States, Japan, El  Salvador, Colombia, 
Dominican  Republic, Costa  Rica, Argentina, China, and European  Union . The following delegations 
submitted written questions after the deadline: Iceland, Panama, and Ecuador . 
1.5.  The Chairperson first r ecalled some elements of Honduras previous Review in 2016, and 
developments since then, as well as identified  some key issues arising from the advance written 
questions submitted by Members for th e current  Review.  
1.6.  In the context of th e current  Review, the  Secretariat Report notes that the Honduran economy 
registered strong growth over the first part of the review period. The COVID -19 pandemic coupled 
with severe disruption caused by two hurricanes to the economy in 2020. However, preliminary 
figures  for 20 21 and 2022 showed a strong rebound, as GDP growth exceeded pre -2020 levels. 
The economy continues to be highly dependent on remittances.  
1.7.  At the time of the previous  Review, it was noted that Honduras had become more closely 
integrated into the global economy. In th is context, Members encouraged Honduras to diversify its 
production and export base. Today, Members might be interested in learning about initiatives 
imple mented by Honduras to increase export market diversification and rely on trade and regional 
integration as drivers of economic growth and development.  
1.8.  In the last Review in 2016, Members commended Honduras for its efforts to actively engage in 
economic, tr ade, and institutional reforms. In addition to  this background, Members praised 
Honduras for adopting measures aimed at promoting private participation and attracting foreign 
investment. New developments such as the energy reform adopted in 2022, that may adversely 
impact private investment, also drew Members' attention during th e Review, as advance written 
questions were raised on this issue.  
1.9.  In 2016, Honduras was congratulated for its active participation in the WTO and for its strong 
support of the mult ilateral trading system. While commending the steps taken by Honduras to 
implement its WTO obligations, they took also note of some pending issues, such as compliance with 
notification requirements, in particular regarding agriculture, and import licensing . 
1.10.   During the previous Review, Honduras' s open trade regime was commended, and Honduras 
was urged to promptly ratify the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). It is pleased to note that efforts 
to promote  trade facilitation have continued since 2016, in line with Honduras' s implementation 
commitments of the TFA.  
1.11.   Regarding other import measures we note that Honduras' s applied average tariff protection 
has remained unchanged . Honduras also continues to apply a price -band system to imports of some 
agricultural goods . 
1.12.   On sectoral policies, Members noted the importance of the agricultural sector regarding 
employment and food security; and sought more information about Honduras' s efforts to adopt 
sustainable agricultural policies given Honduras environ mental fragility.  WT/TPR/M/443 • Honduras  
 
- 3 - 
 
  1.13.   In addition, Members' written questions referred to new challenges like plant varieties 
protection, and longstanding ones, particularly in the electricity market.  
1.14.   Honduras received 216 advance written questions from 17  Members,  181 of  which were sent 
within the established deadline. The advance written questions cover ed a wide range of topics of 
interest to Members , including foreign investment regime, SPS measures, competition policy, and 
government procurement.  
1.15.   Prior to th e meeting, Hon duras provided written replies to all questions  submitted within the 
deadline and the Chairperson was looking forward to hearing Honduras' s replies to other questions 
raised during the two -day meeting . Any follow -up questions must be answered within 30  days from 
the second day of the meeting . 
1.16.   The meeting was a good opportunity for Members to discuss in detail issues of interest to 
them and of importance to the multilateral trading system. It was also an opportune moment for 
Honduras to update the Members hip on the impact of the COVID -19 pandemic coupled with climate 
change on its economy and the measures it has taken in response. The Chairperson looked forward 
to a fruitful exchange.  
  WT/TPR/M/443 • Honduras  
 
- 4 - 
 
  2  OPENING STATEMENT BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF HONDURAS 
(H.E. MR FREDIS  ALONSO CERRATO VALLADARES  
2.1.  As Honduras' s Secretary of State for Economic Development, I am particularly pleased to 
present the fourth Trade Policy Review of Honduras to the World Trade Organization. I wish to thank 
the Chairperson of the Trade Policy Review B ody, Ambassador Saqer  Abdullah  Almoqbel, and 
the Deputy  United  States  Trade Representative, Ambassador María  Pagán, for agreeing to act as 
discussant for this fourth Review. We are confident that her insights and comments will make a rich 
and profound cont ribution to this Review.  
2.2.  We extend our thanks to Canada, the United  Kingdom, Singapore, Brazil, Guatemala, 
the United  States, Japan, El  Salvador, Colombia, the Dominican  Republic, Costa  Rica, Argentina, 
China and the European  Union for their questions. We also thank Iceland, Panama, and Ecuador for 
their recent queries, which we will examine and answer at a later time. We are grateful to the WTO 
Secretariat for preparing the Report on the trade policies of Honduras and for assisting our 
Govern ment in preparing for this review process.  
2.3.  For Honduras, this fourth Trade Policy Review provides an opportunity to demonstrate the 
commitment of the Government of the first female President of Honduras, Iris  Xiomara  Castro, to 
the implementation of a long -term policy framework to raise living standards for all Hondurans in 
the face of various social and economic challenges following the crisis caused by the COVID -19 
pandemic in 2020, tropical storms Eta and Iota in that same year and the challenges arising  from 
the effects of climate change, to which Honduras is particularly vulnerable.  
2.4.  Aware as it is of the multifaceted challenges facing Honduras, President Castro's Government 
has embarked upon a process of reformation and profound change, aimed at buildin g an alternative 
and deeply sovereign economic model based on strengthening the State's role in the economy, 
especially in strategic areas and public services.  
2.5.  In the trade policy context, Honduras will continue to support a policy based on: (i)  participat ion 
in the multilateral trading system under the WTO; (ii)  the deepening of Central American economic 
integration; and (iii)  the expansion of its network of preferential trade agreements with strategic 
partners or countries with which the most cordial and friendly diplomatic relations are established.  
2.6.  As a founding Member of the World Trade Organization, Honduras attaches great importance 
to active participation in the multilateral trading system. Accordingly, in the context of its 
involvement, it has reite rated its commitment to a multilateral trading system based on clear, fair 
and equitable rules, assigning high priority to the defence and promotion of an inclusive, open and 
transparent WTO that functions effectively for its Members and addresses their de velopment needs 
and aspirations.  
2.7.  Honduras advocates the implementation of special and differential treatment provisions along 
with other flexibilities that help to protect the most sensitive sectors of small and vulnerable 
economies. Honduras considers it necessary to address the concerns and priorities of developing 
countries, least -developed countries and net food -importing countries in matters such as the 
treatment of trade -distorting domestic support, the special safeguard mechanism and public 
stockhold ing, among other vital means of satisfying needs in respect of, inter alia, food security, 
livelihood, farmers' welfare and poverty alleviation.  
2.8.  We agree with the imperative need to update the multilateral trading rules. Having a Dispute 
Settlement System together with a functional and effective Appellate Body is a matter of the utmost 
urgency for our country.  
2.9.  With respect to regional economic integration, Honduras has continued to participate actively 
in the efforts to improve and deepen Central American economic integration, and especially in those 
needed to make headway in establishing the Central American Customs Union. It has also continued 
to work on the process of deep integration towards the free movement of goods and natural person s 
between the Republics of Guatemala, Honduras and El  Salvador, with the main aim of accelerating 
the free movement of goods between the three countries.  WT/TPR/M/443 • Honduras  
 
- 5 - 
 
  2.10.   During the review period, Honduras' s network of preferential trade agreements has been 
supplemented by  free trade agreements with Peru, the Republic of Korea and the United  Kingdom, 
thus increasing access to new markets under preferential conditions. As a result, around 95% of 
Honduran exports go to markets offering preferential access. We have recently be gun negotiations 
on a broad free trade agreement with China.  
2.11.   President Iris  Xiomara  Castro's administration has considered reviewing the free trade 
agreements to assess their impact, especially on the agricultural sector and its ability to adopt public 
policies in line with its development needs, without setting aside the country's international 
commitments.  
2.12.   Everything outlined above is consistent with the long -term strategic development objectives 
set out in the Government Plan to Refound the Homeland and Construct a Socialist and Democratic 
State 2022 -26. 
2.13.   Honduras will continue to duly comply with its international commitments, which will be 
coordinated with the objectives and actions set out in the Plan. It will devise strategies to implement 
an alternati ve economic model, and Honduran trade policy will retain its principal objectives of 
generating employment, attracting investment, and taking advantage of the opportunities provided 
under regional trade agreements and the multilateral trading system, with a view to supporting 
sustainable, equitable and inclusive economic growth.  
2.14.   Honduras will seek to make socially sustainable and environmentally responsible use of 
natural resources; increase transparency; combat corruption and impunity; fight crime; and imp rove 
public safety. The underlying aim is to ensure better living conditions for Honduran society and lead 
Honduras towards social reform and changes in production patterns that will set it on the road to 
development and social justice.  
2.15.   Under the administr ation of President Iris  Xiomara  Castro, governing is the science of 
protecting and ensuring the enjoyment of all rights for Hondurans in our native homeland, in a free, 
independent, sovereign, democratic and socially just State that guarantees participatio n and equality 
by overcoming systemic conflict and unrest arising from extremely high levels of inequality and 
poverty.  
2.16.   Honduras, under the leadership of President Iris  Xiomara  Castro, is being built according to a 
humanist vision of reformation, imbued wi th dignity and sovereignty, and will do whatever is legally 
necessary to restore justice and the rule of law within the State.  
2.17.   The great challenge facing Honduras today is to continue framing its national policies with a 
view to reducing the scourge of pov erty and the inequity gap so that it can embark on the right path 
to sustainable, fair and balanced development – the kind of development that empowers people. 
That is the ultimate goal of the policies we are pursuing.  
2.18.   All that remains is for me to thank y ou, Chairperson of the Trade Policy Review Body, the 
WTO Secretariat, Members and the Deputy United  States  Trade Representative, Ambassador 
María  Pagán, for the opportunity to be here with you and present the fourth Trade Policy Review of 
Honduras and Pres ident Castro's vision.  
2.19.   I conclude my statement, eager to hear the comments of our discussant and Members' 
statements.  
  WT/TPR/M/443 • Honduras  
 
- 6 - 
 
  3  STATEMENT BY THE DISCUSSANT  
3.1.  First of all, I warmly welcome the delegation of Honduras, led by Minister Fredis Alonso Cerrato 
Valladares.  I would also like to express my appreciation to the Secretariat for providing exhaustive 
information and research to allow Members to play a central role in reviewing Members' trade 
policies.  
3.2.  It is an honour to serve as discussant for Honduras' s fourth Tr ade Policy Review. When I started 
thinking about this, I had to admit that I knew little about Honduras. I know where it is of course, 
but I did not know much about its history, apart from the history it shares with Puerto  Rico. 
Unfortunately, the news tha t reaches us in the United  States is usually negative, but I carried on 
looking and found a beautiful country with spectacular beaches, the second largest reef in the world, 
magnificent archaeological sites, an abundance of exotic fauna and, as everyone wh o knows 
Ambassador Dacio is aware, ridiculously friendly people.  
3.3.  I'd like to start with some very general comments.  Honduras maintains a fundamentally open 
economy, with a vast network of preferential trade agreements. As noted in the Secretariat Report, 
over 93 % of Honduran exports and 73 % of its imports benefit from preferential treatment.  
3.4.  It is no surprise that the United  States has long been and remains Honduras' s largest trading 
partner. What I did find interesting is that its trade with indivi dual close neighbours  is relatively low. 
Of course, I recognize that there are vast differences in population size between the United  States 
and other Central  American countries. I also recognize that the Central American integration project 
has been going  on for a while, has hit some rocky patches along the way. But, the potential for more 
expanded trade with its closest neighbour  is there, and it does seem an effort worth pursuing.  
3.5.  While I knew that family remittances play an important role in individual livelihoods, I did not 
realize the pivotal role that they play in the Honduran economy, comprising 25.3 % of GDP in  2021 
and 26.9 % in 2022. As noted in the Secretariat Report, remittances were a major factor in supporting 
economic recovery post -pandemic and  post-hurricanes.  
3.6.  This reliance on remittances has both positive and negative aspects. On the positive side, 
remittances were important in sustaining consumer spending, and remittance inflows are far greater 
than overseas development assistance. In fact, I  have heard that remittances can provide "income" 
higher than through a minimum wage job. On the negative side, remittances are inversely correlated 
with worsening economic opportunities at home, so in some way over  reliance on remittances could 
distract f rom needed policy reforms to address outmigration. The World Bank recommends 
"maximiz[ing] the economic impact of remittances. Given their significant size, remittances can be 
a powerful driving force for development and poverty reduction. Policies incenti vizing more 
productive use of remittances —such as investment, reconstruction, and so on —could be beneficial 
to the country in the short term".  
3.7.  Another aspect that could use some exploration and may present opportunities is how these 
remittances are transac ted. Despite the importance of remittances in the Honduran economy, only 
11% of Hondurans reported using formal financial accounts to receive their remittances. This means 
that financial flows from remittances are not supporting the growth of a more sophis ticated banking 
infrastructure. The smaller financial institutions that are often best placed to serve MSMEs typically 
lack sufficient financial and human capital to develop digital products. These savings and credit 
unions and cooperatives, smaller banks,  and microfinance institutions have limited access to the 
crucial mobile infrastructure required to offer innovative products such as e -wallets, credit and debit 
cards, and electronic payments through point -of-sale devices, ATMs, agent networks, or real -time 
transfers unless they partner with a large bank. So, another area that could be explored.  
3.8.  During the 2016 -2022 period of review, Honduras faced many hardships. As with many other 
economies, the impact of the COVID -19 pandemic was serious. On top of that , in 2020, Honduras 
faced two category  4 hurricanes, which exacerbated the country's economic and social challenges. 
I would note that in 2019, the Global Climate Risk Index ranked Honduras the second country most 
severely affected by extreme weather event s in the 1998 -2017 period. While Honduras' s ranking in 
the 2021 index improved, it's geographical location and the likely impacts as a result of continued 
climate change will continue to present challenges.  WT/TPR/M/443 • Honduras  
 
- 7 - 
 
  3.9.  Honduras' s 9% decline in real GDP in 2020 was greater than declines in many other economies. 
However, in 2021 Honduras attained an impressive 12.5 % growth, with continued solid growth 
in 2022. The resilience of the people of Honduras in the face of such multifaceted ch allenges is 
commendable.  
3.10.   Trade has played a key part in Honduras' s ongoing recovery. In 2020 exports of goods and 
services contracted by 18.1 %, and imports by 17.2 %. But trade performance in 2021 was greater 
than the preceding year's decline. Exports and i mports of goods and services increased 32.5 % and 
46.1% respectively. Goods trade in 2022 was similarly impressive as recovery continued, with 
exports increasing 19.6 % and imports up 16.9 %. 
3.11.   In 2022 trade with the United  States increased 33.3 % over pre -pande mic 2019 levels, 
reaching historical record levels. Honduras' s trade with its neighbours  has also recovered strongly 
since 2020. Total goods trade in 2022 among regional partners Guatemala, El  Salvador, Costa  Rica, 
Nicaragua, and the Dominica n Republic inc reased 139.5 % over 2019. Increases of similar 
magnitudes occurred for Honduras' s FTA partners such as Colombia (155.4 %) and Canada (67 %). 
Total goods trade with the world increased 69 % over this period and is an encouraging indication of 
Honduras' s economi c prospects.  
3.12.   As outlined in the Secretariat Report, IMF staff visited Honduras in April and October  2022 
and confirmed a strong recovery through 2021, based in part on Honduras' s successfully leveraging 
trade to meet recovery in external demand as well as robust remittance flows. An encouraging 
finding of that trip is evidence of the Government's strong political will to protecting the most 
vulnerable members of society amidst the se recent challenges, as well as continuing key fiscal and 
institutional reforms.  
3.13.   Government efforts to improve living standards for all Hondurans are evident in GDP 
per capita statistics. The IMF estimates that by 2023 GDP per  capita will be 21.2 % higher in real 
terms than in pre -pandemic 2019. Estimates for 2028 reach 47.4 % higher than 2019, suggesting 
Honduras is on track to achieve consistent and shared improvements in living standards.  
3.14.   I'd like to turn to Honduras' s ongoing progress toward s achieving economywide development 
objectives. During the period of review, Hondura s promulgated the Government Plan to Refound 
Honduras 2022 -2026, with a view to making progress towards long -term development objectives. 
The Government Report characterizes the Government Plan to Refound Honduras 2022 -2026 as a 
progressive approach to com bating fiscal instability by creating a more innovative and productive 
society. I appreciate the focus on promoting the creation, in rural and urban areas, of employment 
that pays fair, decent wages sufficient to cover the costs of the basic basket and mak e economic 
revival possible.  
3.15.   I also appreciate the focus on ensuring the protection of shared natural resources so that they 
are available to use and sustainably manage, thereby reducing vulnerability to climate change. The 
plan focuses on boosting industr ial development in high -potential and high -tech sectors, promoting 
FDI, developing technical capacity -building and training programs, establishing a digital economy, 
and investing in innovation. One particular focus of innovation is in the agricultural sec tor. This plan 
additionally intends to promote MSMEs by fostering their integration into industry and trade.  
3.16.   I would like to highlight a few aspects.  First, is the Government's focus on gender equity and 
women's advancement. Women make up 49.4 % of the labour force in Honduras. Sadly, according 
to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, women represent 59.2 % of the 
migrant population from Honduras. Therefore, efforts to promote their advancement can only help 
long term development in Ho nduras. Honduras' s Ciudad  Mujer  (Women's City) Project, seeks to 
maximize women's economic participation, and thereby empowerment, in global economic 
integration.  
3.17.   I understand that one of President Castro's first official acts was to elevate the Labor Mini stry's 
Office of Women's Issues to a cabinet level Ministry. I hope that brings the necessary political 
attention to achieve the goal of ensuring greater participation of women in Honduras' s 
internationalization strategy.  WT/TPR/M/443 • Honduras  
 
- 8 - 
 
  3.18.   A recent high -level delegation from the United  States Departments of Labor and State, 
U.S.AID, and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative visited Honduras to meet with women 
workers, government officials, private sector stakeholders, and organizations representing the 
interests of women, workers, LGBTQI+ individuals, and Afro -descendant and Indigenous populations 
to discuss the challenges faced, in particular by women workers. It is gratifying to hear that 
promotion, protection, and respect for workers rights is as much a  whole -of-government priority for 
the Castro  administration as it is for my own Government.  
3.19.   Of course, agriculture remains an important sector in the Honduran economy . However, the 
industry faces a variety of difficulties – ranging from the effects of natu ral disasters, to lack of 
dynamism in the industry, to the effects of migration and an ageing rural population. Therefore, 
I am glad to see a focus on injecting dynamism into the sector, by improving competitiveness, 
promoting the cultivation of non -tradit ional products, and focusing on sustainable growth are part 
of the governments' plans. This is an area where it would be particularly useful for Honduras to 
share its experiences.  
3.20.   Another important aspect is the focus on protecting the environment and natu ral resources. 
These issues go hand in hand with protecting vulnerable communities, in particular Indigenous 
populations. Indeed, much can be learned from them, as Honduras seeks to protect its environment, 
while also promoting its natural wonders and crea te additional opportunities in the tourism sector. 
I understand Honduras aims to develop a responsible, inclusive, and sustainable model for tourism. 
I really hope they achieve this – as I want to visit . 
3.21.   I hope Honduras' s focus on its people, its workers, and its environment bear fruit and that it 
is able in the near future to share is experiences with the Membership here.  
3.22.   Honduras is an original Member of the WTO and has been a steadfast supporter of the 
multilateral trading system.  
3.23.   Demonstrating its commi tment to the system, to date, Honduras has implemented 
approximately 71 % of its TFA commitments and is on track to fully implement all of its commitments 
by March  2027. As noted in its Report, it favours  consideration at the WTO of issues concerning the 
dynamic and ever -changing reality of international trade, and therefore participates in initiatives on 
e-commerce and trade integration for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), among others. 
Given that MSMEs account for up to 35 % of GDP and employ 70 % of the Honduran labour  force, 
these contributions are particularly relevant.  
3.24.   It the Government Report, Honduras notes its commitment to continuing to play an active 
part in discussions within the WTO in support of reform, paying special attention to the interests of 
small economies. This commitment is certainly laudable. Although a small delegation, I think we can 
all agree it has contributed to the system in inverse proportion to its size. Every Member counts.  
3.25.   Finally, I would be remiss not to extend my particular appreciation for the work of Ambassador 
Dacio  Castillo. I cannot even begin to list the many positive contributions he has made to the WTO. 
Most importantly, he has always made sure that everyone's voi ce is heard. Thank you.  
  WT/TPR/M/443 • Honduras  
 
- 9 - 
 
  4  STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS  
CANADA  
4.1.  I would like to extend a warm welcome to the Honduran delegation led by 
Minister  Cerrato  Valladares and thanks to the Secretariat and to the Government of Honduras for 
the comprehensive reports. I woul d also like to extend a thank you Ambassador  Pagán for her 
remarks as discussant that helped to frame this review. I would be remiss if I also do not join 
Ambassador  Pagán in extending a special recognition to Ambassador Dacio  Castillo for his work and 
his strong and sustained leadership role at the WTO, his presence here in Geneva makes this 
Organization better.  
4.2.  Canada has submitted a number of questions and we thanks you for your prompt responses.  
4.3.  To begin, Canada would like to congratulate Honduras for its success in growing its economy, 
in spite of the challenging global circumstances since its last TPR. Canada appreciates Honduras 's 
ongoing commitment to promoting inclusive economic growth to improve the lives of the poorest 
and most vulnerable.  
4.4.  Canad a values its healthy bilateral trading relationship with Honduras, which is supported by 
our Free Trade Agreement. Your Government 's efforts to promote human rights, gender equality 
and anti -corruption are very welcome.  
4.5.  In our recent exchanges, Honduras has sought cooperation from Canada and the international 
community to create a business environment that is stable and transparent. Addressing crime, 
increased security challenges and anti -corruption will be key to creating a more enabling 
environ ment for investment. Canada continues to support anti -crime capacity -building initiatives in 
Honduras, namely by combat ing extortion, improving border management and reforming 
anti-corruption practices.  
4.6.  Canada appreciates Honduras 's efforts over the last s everal years towards updating its 
notifications. Commitment to transparency via notifications provides great value for all WTO 
Members and Canada encourages Honduras to continue its efforts in this area.  
4.7.  Canada also appreciates Honduras 's participation acr oss a range of discussions at the WTO, 
including the joint initiative on e -commerce, the informal working groups on trade and gender and 
MSMEs, Investment Facilitation for Development and the environmental initiatives. It is critical for 
Members to hear th e widest range of perspectives possible and for that reason we welcome 
Honduras 's active engagement.  
4.8.  Overall, Canada remains committed to support Honduras 's efforts towards building a more 
inclusive, democratic , and secure society, key to creating a more f avourable climate for investment 
and growth. On behalf of Canada, I wish you a successful TPR.  
UNITED  KINGDOM   
4.9.  I would like to extend a very warm welcome to the delegation of Honduras under the leadership 
of Minister Fredis Cerrato Valladares. It is a pleasure for me and for the British team to have such a 
strong relationship with his delegation here in Geneva.  
4.10.   Thanks to our distinguished discussant for her very eloquent and thoughtful comments. 
Thanks to the Secretariat for the preparation of this meeting.  
4.11.   Let me start by applauding the efforts of the new Government of Honduras to reduce poverty 
since the 2016 Revi ew under your new female President Ms Xiomara Castro and, as the Minister said 
this morning and also as Ambassador Pagán commented, Honduras' s trade policy has undergone a 
significant shift towards progressive reform, the impact of which has been palpable for the people 
of Honduras, but which is felt here even in Geneva thanks to Ambassador's Castillo Work.  
4.12.   We also recognize that your economy still faces some challenges as many economies do, 
these include how it can attract more foreign investment, boost em ployment and generate increased WT/TPR/M/443 • Honduras  
 
- 10 - 
 
  tax revenue. In preparing for this review, we have also listened to the voices that come from the 
private sector who have highlighted to us the challenges that for them remain in terms of FDI in 
Honduras that stem from the h andling of foreign investment in the special economic zones (ZEDES) 
established by the previous Government, and I think that engagement and dialogue with the private 
sector will be an important step in resolving those challenges and restoring the confidenc e in 
investing in Honduras, in that effort the UK stands ready as a friend and partner to support you in 
the effort to reassure companies looking to invest in Honduras of the benefits to that investment.  
4.13.   The bilateral relationship that the UK shares with H onduras is only growing stronger. Trade 
between our two countries has seen a significant increase of almost 40% in the last couple of years, 
and this has been cataly zed by the implementation of the UK -Central America Association 
Agreement, which is a testa ment to the committed bilateral relationship that we share, but also as 
you indicated an enabler of an ever closer economic and indeed political relationship between us. As 
you know, our Minister for Latin America, David  Rutley, visited Honduras in April  2023 to meet with 
businesses and with the Government to highlight opportunities for boosting our trade relations under 
the umbrella of this agreement. We hope that this dialogue and positive development is going to 
continue with at the first UK -CAAA Ministe rial Council later this year so we can deepen our trade ties 
and support Honduras with the diversification of its exports. In particular, sectors such as social 
infrastructure, agriculture, education and clean growth all stand out as areas where significan t 
untapped potential remains if Honduras business environment improved, and the UK is very keen 
and ready to collaborate to improve this trading environment to enhance our mutually beneficial 
trading relationship and support to promote economic and social development in Honduras.  
4.14.   We also welcome further efforts by the Government to combat corruption and increase the 
transparency of public procurement mechanisms, which would have a positive effect on trade and 
development, so we very much welcome, in particu lar, the establishment of a new international 
commission against corruption and impunity (CICIH) this is a very positive step.  
4.15.   I would like to mention the cooperation that we are undertaking in areas such as, you know, 
Minister, in order to act, sustainable infrastructure, again, which we think can help you as agritech 
and sustainable infrastructure, in which we could support Hond uras as it seeks to develop and also 
to address issues around resilience in the face of climate change. Building on the MOU signed 
between the United  Kingdom and Honduras to implement the Biodiverse Landscapes Fund, which 
supports our shared objective of t ackling biodiversity loss and poverty reduction.  
4.16.   We really appreciate, as others have already done, and now here, your multilateral effort here 
in Geneva, in particular we really appreciate the work that Honduras has contributed on dispute 
settlement refor m which is important to all of us, and let me end by thanking Ambassador 
Dacio  Castillo for his dedication as the chair of the General Council and also the work that he led in 
preparation for MC12 which was so fundamental to our success, but his continued contribution here 
over many years to the work and success of this Organization. Good luck with this review, good luck 
with your efforts, is great to have you as a partner.  
SINGAPORE  
4.17.   The Singapore delegation warmly welcomes Honduras 's Minister of Economic D evelopment, 
Fredis  Alonso  Cerrato  Valladares and the Honduran delegation to Geneva. We would like to express 
our appreciation to Honduras for the comprehensive Government Report and statement. We also 
thank the Chair, Ambassador Saqer  Abdullah  Almoqbel ; the discussant, Ambassador Mar ía Pagán, 
and the Secretariat for their insightful perspectives. Allow me to make three points.  
4.18.   First, we would like to commend the Honduran Government 's commitment in pursuing 
regional economic integration and trade liberaliza tion, as underpinned by its network of preferential 
trade agreements such as the Central American Common Market (CACM), the 
Dominican  Republic -Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA -DR), the Association Agreement 
between the European  Union and Central  America (AACUE)  and its bilateral Free Trade Agreements 
with Peru, the Republic of Korea, and the United  Kingdom, which entered into force over this review 
period. These preferential agreements complement Honduras 's relatively low applied Most  Favoured  
Nation (MFN) tariff rates, especially for non -agriculture products which had an average tariff rate of 
5.1% in 2022. While the maintenance of such relatively low MFN tariff rates is laudable, we 
understand from the Secretariat 's Report that there are nine tariff lines for which Honduras 's applied WT/TPR/M/443 • Honduras  
 
- 11 - 
 
  tariff rates exceed its bound rates at the WTO. In this regard, we would like to urge Honduras to 
ensure that its applied tariff rates fall within its commitments under the WTO, to enhance 
predictability and a lleviate barriers to trade for businesses in line with Honduras 's trade liberalization 
efforts.  
4.19.   We would like also to acknowledge Honduras 's efforts in implementing its commitments under 
the WTO 's Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), through the introductio n of measures including the 
adoption of a single customs declaration at the Central American level; the implementation of the 
Authorized Economic Operator programme; the creation of a digital portal providing information on 
customs procedures for imports a nd exports; and the implementation of a paperless Customs pilot 
project. Such efforts demonstrate Honduras 's commitment to its obligations under the TFA, and we 
strongly encourage Honduras to continue its strides towards the full implementation of the TFA.   
4.20.   Second, as similarly small and open economies that are highly dependent on international 
trade, there is much potential for Singapore and Honduras to deepen our bilateral economic 
relations. In 2022, bilateral trade between Singapore and Honduras saw a 9 7.81% year -on-year 
growth, amounting to USD  16.5 million. This as an encouraging trend, and we look forward to further 
increasing our trade and investment ties with Honduras. To this end, we welcome Honduras 's efforts 
to enhance its integration into intern ational markets through consolidating and value -adding to its 
traditional exports, and its efforts to diversify its range of export products and markets.  
4.21.   Third, Singapore and Honduras have a common commitment to strengthening and upholding 
the rules -based  multilateral trading system as embodied by the WTO. We also have shared interests 
in ensuring that the WTO remains responsive to the ever -evolving landscape of international trade. 
In this regard, we commend Honduras 's participation in the Joint Statement  Initiatives on 
E-Commerce and Investment Facilitation for Development, the Informal Working Group on Micro, 
Small and Medium -sized Enterprises (MSMEs) and in environmental initiatives on Trade and 
Environmental Sustainability and Plastics Pollution and En vironmentally Sustainable Plastics Trade . 
In the same spirit, we would like to urge Honduras to ratify the WTO Agreement on Fisheries 
Subsidies, to contribute towards the operationali zation of the Agreement which will mark a major 
step towards enhancing oc ean sustainability. Likewise, we would like to encourage Honduras to 
consider joining the Information Technology Agreement (ITA) Expansion,  which will complement its 
efforts in narrowing the digital divide and promoting the use of Information and Communica tion 
Technology (ICT) products.  
4.22.   In closing, we would like to acknowledge the valuable contributions that Ambassador 
Dacio  Castillo and his team at the Honduran Mission have made to the WTO. We wish Honduras a 
successful fourth  Trade Policy Review.  
BRAZIL  
4.23.   I would like to begin by extending a warm welcome to the delegation of Honduras led by 
Mr Fredis Cerrato, Minister of Economic Development. I thank him for his clear and transparent 
opening statement at this meeting. Brazil joins the other delegations in u nderscoring the exceptional 
work carried out by the Honduran team in Geneva.  
4.24.   We would  also like to express our appreciation to the WTO Secretariat for its thorough and 
comprehensive Report, as well as to the Chair and the discussant, Ambassador Maria  Pagán, for 
their contribution to this crucial exercise on transparency.  
4.25.   It is a matter of great satisfaction for Brazil to take part in the fourth TPR of Honduras, a 
Latin American nation with which Brazil has maintained diplomatic relations for precisely 117  years.  
4.26.   In the macroeconomic context, we are pleased to see that, despite the impact of the pandemic 
and of two hurricanes that ravaged the country, leading to a decline of 9% of GDP in 2020, Honduras 
has already bounced back, with a sharp recovery of 12.5%  growth in 2021 and 4% in 2022, which 
shows the resilience of its economy. Nevertheless, the growth rate has yet to improve to allow for 
more welfare gains, fight poverty and increase employment.  It is, however, worth noting that 
Honduras reoriented its fi scal policy to keep public finances in balance and reduce the government 
deficit, which is a positive impact of the Fiscal Responsibility Law enacted in 2016. Moreover, to deal 
with the many challenges Honduras is confronted with, the Government adopted th e "2018-2022 WT/TPR/M/443 • Honduras  
 
- 12 - 
 
  Strategic Plan ", the third in the series, which certainly helped to achieve macroeconomic stability 
and improve the living standards of the poorest members of the Honduran population. We hope the 
"Plan to Refound Honduras 2022 -26" will attain its objectives of developing  industrial policy in 
innovation and productivity and fostering MSMEs.  
4.27.   Regarding trade, the Secretariat Report informs that there have been major changes to the 
customs legal framework aimed at streamlining customs procedures, such as the adoption of a sin gle 
customs declaration  at the Central  American level, the creation of a digital portal providing 
information on customs procedures for imports and exports, and the implementation of a paperless 
customs pilot project. Since 2016, Honduras has implemented 7 0.6% of its commitments arising 
from the Trade Facilitation Agreement.  
4.28.   In the bilateral level, Brazil and Honduras share a number of common challenges related to 
enhancing economic growth and reducing social inequality and promoting their population 's welf are. 
We maintain a fruitful cooperation in areas such as agriculture, health, social development, civil 
defen ce, and public administration. Since MC12, when 16  Latin American countries, including Brazil 
and Honduras, signed the Declaración sobre la Reforma  de las Reglas Multilaterales del Comercio 
Agropecuario , we have intensified our coordination in agriculture negotiations.  
4.29.   On the trade front, the bilateral partnership is yet to develop from very modest current flows. 
Although the trade volume has increas ed over the last six years, especially in 2021 and 2022, when 
we reached the most expressive trade flow of USD  243.3 millions, Brazil is convinced that there is 
much room for improvement , especially i n agriculture. Our exports to Honduras comprise mainly 
civil engin eering facilities and equipment, building materials and  agricultural machinery . Honduras 's 
exports to Brazil  are concentrated in  metallic waste, clothing items and electrical power distribution 
equipment . This trade flow concentrated in manufactured products indicates we must overcome 
possible sanitary and phytosanitary barriers.  
4.30.   We must advance in agricultural trade. Brazil has a wide exportable supply of agricultural 
products of recognized quality that c an help reinforce the food and nutritional security of the 
Honduran population. Brazil asks for the Honduran support for the conclusion of the analysis 
processes for the export from Brazil of the following products: beef ; honey and bee products; eggs 
and e gg products; bird and bovine genetic material; dogs and cats.  
4.31.   In addition, a deeper integration between MERCOSUR  and the Central  American Integration 
System (SICA), which encompasses not only a political dialogue and cooperation but also trade, will 
certai nly contribute to the thickening of our economic ties.  
4.32.   With respect to investment, Brazil hopes to further strengthen its participation in the 
development of Honduras 's infrastructure in the near future, especially in projects of hydroelectric 
dams.   
4.33.   On a final note, Brazil has submitted some questions in this Trade Policy Review. We thank 
Honduras for its written replies, which will be forwarded to our capital for examination and follow -up. 
4.34.   Let me conclude, Chair, Señor Ministro , by wishing  Honduras a ve ry successful Trade Policy 
Review.  
GUATEMALA  
4.35.   On behalf of Guatemala, I would like to extend a warm welcome to the delegation of Honduras, 
led by Minister Fredis  Alonso  Cerrato  Valladares, Secretary of State for Economic Development, as 
well as Ambassador a nd friend Dacio  Castillo, Permanent Representative of Honduras to the WTO.  
4.36.   I thank the Chairperson for his introductory remarks, the WTO Secretariat for its Report and 
Ambassador María  Pagán, Permanent Representative of the United  States to the WTO, for th e very 
comprehensive presentation and analysis that she shared with us this morning as discussant.  
4.37.   Guatemala highly values its close relationship with Honduras in all areas. Honduras is a fellow 
country with which we not only share a border but also import ant development and regional 
integration objectives.  WT/TPR/M/443 • Honduras  
 
- 13 - 
 
  4.38.   We have been working together for more than 60  years in favour of Central American 
integration. As a result, we have managed to build and gradually strengthen the Central American 
Common Market, and have  made headway, under a harmonized approach, towards development for 
our peoples and the strengthening of our economies.  
4.39.   Looking beyond the region, Honduras and Guatemala have coordinated their trade policies to 
negotiate and implement major trade agreement s signed, as a Central American bloc, with the 
United  States, the European  Union, Mexico and Chile, among others.  
4.40.   In order to build even closer ties, Guatemala and Honduras agreed, in 2015, to establish an 
accelerated trade integration process to allow the  free movement of goods and people between the 
two countries. Thus, on 1  October  2020, the peripheral customs offices of both countries began free 
movement operations at the community level, achieving a reduction in customs processing times 
and eliminating  some customs procedures.  
4.41.   In 2022, bilateral trade between Honduras and Guatemala exceeded USD  1.5 billion and 
covered over 6,000 products, according to their tariff classification. Guatemala's leading exports to 
Honduras are plastics and plastic products,  cereal preparations and pharmaceuticals. Guatemala's 
main imports from Honduras are propane gas, detergent, soap and cereal preparations.  
4.42.   Regarding work within this Organization, Honduras stands out for the proactive dynamism 
with which it has played vari ous roles, such as Chair of the General Council before MC12. It is 
currently guiding the WTO reform process and participates in joint initiatives and negotiating groups, 
including the Group of Small, Vulnerable Economies.  
4.43.   Turning to the review that brings us here today, we highlight the efforts made by the Honduran 
authorities to keep inflation within the band established by the Central Bank, and the tax reform 
implemented to reduce the fiscal deficit and increase tax revenue. We also highlight the l egislative 
reforms to strengthen the protection of intellectual property rights and, more specifically, the 
progress made on such rights in the digital sphere.  
4.44.   While the agricultural sector has retained its relative importance for the Honduran economy, 
its share of GDP fell during the 2016 -21 period, before recovering in 2022.  
4.45.   It is worth noting the progress made in the transport services sector, such as the opening of 
Palmerola International Airport, which offers greater access to a wider range of commerci al airlines 
and air freight transport.  
4.46.   Honduras has also provided a stronger framework for protecting investors and introduced new 
guarantees, such as property protection regimes. As regards foreign direct investment (FDI) in 
Honduras, it is worth mentioni ng that, according to data from the Central Bank of Honduras, 
USD 64 million of total incoming FDI in 2022 was invested by Guatemala.  
4.47.   As short - and medium -term challenges, we note that it is important for Honduras to continue 
diversifying its economy. This  is a challenge that Honduras shares with all Central American 
countries, and we are convinced that our growing trade relations and integration will help generate 
further opportunities and bolster our region's position in world trade.  
4.48.   We commend Honduras f or its efforts and achievements during the period covered by this 
Trade Policy Review, and we believe that its endeavours will contribute to strengthening both the 
country itself and our region across the world.  
4.49.   Our thanks to Honduras for its replies to Gu atemala's questions in the context of this Review.  
4.50.   Lastly, we wish Honduras and the delegation today a successful conclusion to this Trade Policy 
Review.  
  WT/TPR/M/443 • Honduras  
 
- 14 - 
 
  UNITED  STATES  
4.51.   The United  States is pleased to welcome Minister Cerrato  Valladares, and the rest of t he 
Honduran delegation to the fourth Trade Policy Review of Honduras. We appreciate the opportunity 
to review the work that Honduras has undertaken the past seven  years since its last Review.  
4.52.   As Honduras 's principal trading partner, the United  States ' comm ercial relationship with 
Honduras Republic is robust and important.  We share, as fellow FTA partners under the 
Dominican  Republic -Central  America -United  States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA -DR), a 
commitment to a rules -based approach to international trade. CAFTA -DR is a comprehensive 
agreement that covers trade in goods and services, intellectual property rights, investment, 
telecommunications, labour , and environment, and promotes economic integration among partner 
countries.  
4.53.   During the period under review, we take note of the various domestic reform measures and 
WTO commitments Honduras has implemented to strengthen its economy and its competitiveness 
in trade.  We are pleased to recognize the customs modernization and trade facilitation measures 
adopted by Honduras at the national and regional level following entry into force of Trade Facilitation 
Agreement. These actions and initiatives improve time and cost of customs clearance and simplify 
the administrative burden of border procedures.  
4.54.   We note tha t Honduras still faces a number of challenges, and we noted some concerns 
through our advance written questions. For example, the United  States is interested in 
understanding various policies and measures impacting agricultural trade. While the Secretariat  
Report states that the Government of Honduras has not implemented trade barriers since 2016, this 
February, Honduran Ministry of Economy published Decrees 020 -2023 and 021 -2023 establishing 
new requirements for rice and poultry imports including administr ative and domestic purchase 
requirements that have led to products delays and backlogs at the port of a few weeks. We would 
appreciate an explanation as to why these decrees have not been notified and further details on 
their operation and how they align w ith the Agreement on Import Licensing.  
4.55.   The United  States is also looking forward to Honduras 's responses regarding various tariff 
lines with applied rates exceeding WTO bound rates and when Honduras plans to lower them to a 
rate within the bound rate, specific examples of customs administrative issues, particularly with 
respect to agricultural trad e, and a number of issues regarding intellectual property regulation.  
4.56.   Despite concerns, we recognize Honduras 's commitment to open trade and to improving the 
lives of its citizens through economic competitiveness and international trade opportunities. This  
trade policy review has also provided us with an opportunity to learn more about Honduras 's 
domestic development plans, particularly with respect to how trade policy is part of broader efforts 
to ensure greater economic opportunities for your citizens.  
4.57.   Just last month, senior officials from the United  States travelled  to Honduras and met with 
government officials, workers, and other stakeholders to engage in a two -way dialogue about the 
challenges facing women workers and the promising strategies to impro ve gender equity, equality, 
economic empowerment, security, and working conditions.   
4.58.   Promoting, protecting, and respecting worker rights is a whole -of-government priority for the 
U.S. Government, and from this visit we gained a clear understanding that pr omoting worker rights 
– and access to good jobs – is a whole -of-government priority for the Castro Administration, as well.  
4.59.   We would welcome an opportunity to work more closely with Honduras in the Committee on 
Trade and Development and other WTO bodies to more deeply explore the interconnections between 
social and trade policies.  
4.60.   There are some specific commercial areas we would also like to mention. We encourage 
continued work to strengthen IP enforcement, particularly to combat signal broadcast piracy. We 
also urge Honduras to continue to strengthen policies and practices regarding technical standards, 
SPS, and import licensing to facilitate trade in products such as food and agricultural goods, and 
regulatory transparency. We hope to hear more i n this review about the Government 's plans to 
address these types of issues.  WT/TPR/M/443 • Honduras  
 
- 15 - 
 
  4.61.   The United  States would also like to recognize the longstanding and deep contributions to the 
Organization and the multilateral trading system made by the Honduran Mission, Ambass ador 
Dacio  Castillo, and his former deputy, Alana  Lanza among others. Honduras has provided leadership 
across the Organization, including as DSB and General Council Chairmanships.  
4.62.   The United  States looks forward to further deepening our trade and economic  partnership with 
Honduras. We remain committed to continued cooperation with Honduras to deepen our relationship 
bilaterally, in regional fora, and in the WTO.  
JAPAN  
4.63.   Japan warmly welcomes the delegation of Honduras, headed by Minister Fredis  Alonso Cerrat o 
Valladares, Minister  of Economic Development.  
4.64.   We are grateful for the WTO Secretariat in preparing the comprehensive reports for today 's 
Review, and  I also thank the Ambassador of United  States, Ambassador  María Pagán , for her role 
as the discussant.  
4.65.   First of all, we would like to commend Honduras that its GDP increased by 12.5 % in 2021 and 
by 4% in 2022, despite natural disasters that occurred during the review period, including the 
COVID -19 pandemic and hurricanes, which caused a decline of 9 % in GDP in 2020.  
4.66.   Taking this opportunity, I would like to highlight a few specific points.  
4.67.   First, on the multilateral trading system, Honduras has been a Member of the WTO since its 
establishment, and we are grateful for its con tributions to maintaining and strengthening the 
multilateral trading system.  
4.68.   Ambassador Dacio  Castillo served as the Chair of General Council and Dispute Settlement 
Body during the review period . Ambassador Castillo also contributed tremendously and enorm ously 
for the success of MC12, resorting to his leadership in guiding the Membership to reach agreement 
on the Outcome Document as well as the Ministerial Declaration on the WTO response to the 
COVID -19 pandemic and preparedness for future pandemics. It wa s highly complicated and political 
work necessitating patience and sense of balance. We would like to express our profound 
appreciation for his invaluable work at the WTO and Honduras for placing him as the Ambassador 
and P ermanent Representative  to the WT O in Geneva.  
4.69.   Also, we would like to commend Honduras for its efforts in strengthening the negotiating 
function of the WTO and its participation in the Joint Statement Initiative on Electronic Commerce, 
Investment Facilitation and MSMEs, and the Informal W orking Group on Trade and Gender, and 
environment -related initiatives. As the Organization has been struggling to find an approach that 
would lead to making advancements as a rule -making body, Japan highly appreciates these positive 
undertakings by Hondura s. 
4.70.   Second, we are pleased to give updates on our bilateral relationship , as Japan and Honduras 
have enjoyed friendly and growing bilateral relations for years. In July and September of last year, 
Minister Reina , the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Internat ional Cooperation , visited Japan and 
exchanged views with Foreign Minister Hayashi  Yoshimasa on cooperation in international fora.  
4.71.   As expressed in the exchange, Japan decided to extend an emergency support loan of 
JPY 11 billion under the Transportation a nd Freight Logistics Sector Reform Program and to grant 
aid for the reconstruction of a bridge on National Road No.  1.  
4.72.    Also, Japan has been supporting the "Regional Mobility and Logistics Master Plan 2035 ", which 
aims to strengthen Honduras and the Centr al American region 's logistics network and provides a 
roadmap toward s 2035. This master plan will realize investment in transportation systems and 
contribute to economic development and promotion of trade in the region by improving the efficiency 
of the region 's logistics network.  
4.73.   We hope that our constructive cooperation w ill contribute to Honduras 's important role in the 
multilateral trading system . WT/TPR/M/443 • Honduras  
 
- 16 - 
 
  4.74.   To conclude, we would like to thank Honduras again for its contribution to the multilateral 
trading system and the WTO. We look forward to working with Honduras to achieve frui tful results 
at MC13 next year.   
4.75.   We wish Honduras a successful and productive fourth  Trade Policy Review.  
EL SALVADOR  
4.76.   On behalf of the Government of El  Salvador, I am pleased to welcome the delegation 
of Honduras headed by Minister Fredis  Cerrato, Ministe r of Economic Development, 
Ambassador  Dacio Castillo and the whole team from the Permanent Mission in Geneva at its fourth 
Trade Policy Review.  
4.77.   I also thank Ambassador María  Pagán for her comments, which have served to enrich the 
discussions in this Review , and the Secretariat for its structured and extensive Report. These reports 
undoubtedly provide valuable information on Members' economic and trade developments in the 
post-pandemic era and in the context of the various overlapping crises currently being faced. 
Furthermore, this exercise is very useful for building trust in the multilateral system and fostering 
transparency on the part of Members.  
4.78.   The reports submitted for this Review show the dramatic effects of the COVID -19 crisis, which 
had a strongly n egative impact on most production sectors in Central American and similar countries. 
However, it is remarkable how the Honduran economy improved in 2021 and 2022, when real GDP 
expanded by 12.5% and 4.0%, respectively.  
4.79.   El Salvador notes the very positive f iscal, monetary and trade policies adopted by Honduras 
as drivers of sustainable macroeconomic development, with the aim of integrating into world trade 
by consolidating and diversifying the range of products and markets.  
4.80.   Bilateral trade relations between Honduras and El  Salvador  remain solid and are constantly 
being strengthened. In 2022, Honduras was our second largest trading partner in the Central 
American region. Our trade relations are governed by the General Treaty on Central American 
Economic Integr ation, which entered into force in the 1960s. As Members can imagine, it has been 
a long relationship between fellow countries.  
4.81.   Over time, great progress has been made under the Treaty in the areas of intraregional trade, 
the customs union, transport, tourism and investment, and work is ongoing towards closer 
integration.  
4.82.   There has been a positive trend in bilateral trade, with growth in imports and exports. The 
main exports are textile articles and inputs, toilet paper and medicines.  
4.83.   Turning  to the multilateral framework, El  Salvador shares Honduras' s view that the 
multilateral system must be based on clear and stable rules in order to advance the growth and 
well-being of all small economies.  
4.84.   El Salvador acknowledges the Honduran delegation's  involvement in joint initiatives to 
promote e -commerce, the integration of MSMEs into trade, investment facilitation for development, 
as well as in structured discussions and working groups to promote environmental sustainability and 
participation in the discussions of the Informal Working Group on Trade and Gender.  
4.85.   El Salvador  asked Honduras about intellectual property rights and the certificates issued by 
the competent agricultural authority, and we are grateful for its replies.  
4.86.   In conclusion, I wish the  Honduran delegation every success in its fourth Trade Policy Review.  
  WT/TPR/M/443 • Honduras  
 
- 17 - 
 
  COLOMBIA  
4.87.   We warmly welcome the delegation of Honduras, led by the Minister of Economic 
Development, Fredis  Cerrato, and its entire team from the capital and in Geneva.  
4.88.   We thank the discussant, Ambassador María  Pagán of the United  States, for her analysis and 
commen ts. The elements presented have made a significant contribution to this Trade Policy Review. 
We also recognize the hard work of the Secretariat and the Honduran authorities in preparing the 
reports that we have received.  
4.89.   Colombia and Honduras both particip ate in various regional and multilateral for a, thanks to 
which we have a strong trade and investment relationship. Our regional and bilateral trade relations 
are being developed within the framework of the trade agreement that entered into force in 
March  2010. 
4.90.   This is reflected in our total trade, which reached USD  192 million in 2022, almost all (97%) 
of which consists of non -mining energy goods, promoting the creation of value, jobs and regional 
linkages.  
4.91.   This trade has also had an impact on investment fl ows; bilateral foreign direct investment has 
reached a total of around USD  760 million.  
4.92.   Moreover, tourism is an activity that has a significant ripple effect within economies and there 
is much room for us to harness it as a pillar of our countries' develop ment.  
4.93.   Against this backdrop, it is crucial to continue strengthening and broadening our economic 
ties as part of efforts to ensure sustainable and equitable growth and development over the long 
term.  
4.94.   With regard to this Trade Policy Review, I would first l ike to mention Honduras' s commitment 
to the multilateral trading system, highlighting this fourth Trade Policy Review and its progress in 
implementing the Trade Facilitation Agreement, with instruments such as the single customs 
declaration at the Central American level, the authorized economic operator programme and a digital 
portal on customs procedures.  
4.95.   I would also like to stress that we support aspects of its trade policy such as efforts to ensure 
greater regional economic integration, participate in g lobal value chains and encourage the increased 
participation of women in the internationalization process.  
4.96.   We also agree with the spirit of various policy objectives for the agricultural sector, including 
diversification and value addition in agri -food cha ins, technological development and sustainable 
innovation to reduce vulnerability to climate change.  
4.97.   Secondly, we have submitted a number of questions to Honduras as part of this Trade Policy 
Review. The replies to these questions should enable us to gain a greater understanding of aspects 
such as the investment regime, customs matters and the above -mentioned trade facilitation 
mechanisms, rules of origin and import licensing. This is crucial for improving trade and investment 
relations.  
4.98.   Lastly, although Ho nduras has not made use of the dispute settlement mechanism since 2016, 
it has been a third party in a number of cases. We therefore invite it to join the Multi -Party Interim 
Appeal Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA), which will benefit all parties and improve  the Organization's 
functioning and credibility.  
4.99.   We wish the delegation of Honduras a successful conclusion to its Trade Policy Review.  
  WT/TPR/M/443 • Honduras  
 
- 18 - 
 
  DOMINICA N REPUBLIC  
4.100.   The delegation of the Dominican  Republic thanks Fredis  Alonso  Cerrato  Valladares, 
Honduran Minister  of Economic Development and head of delegation, for his presentation and 
extends a warm welcome to him and his delegation.  
4.101.   We also express our appreciation for the Report by the WTO Secretariat, presented by 
Ambassador Saqer  Abdullah  Almoqbel, Permanent R epresentative of the Kingdom of Saudi  Arabia 
and Chair of the Trade Policy Review Body.  
4.102.   Moreover, we thank Ambassador María  Pagán , Permanent Representative of the 
United  States to the WTO, for her valuable presentation. Our Mission also recognizes the important 
efforts undertaken by Ambassador Dacio  Castillo and his team in Geneva to support our 
Organization's work.  
4.103.   The reports reflect the fact that, like the vast majority of WTO Members, our brother country 
of Honduras was hit in 2020 by the effects of the COVID -19 pandemic, with GDP contracting by 9%. 
All productive sectors were affected. However, we congratulate Hondur as for the fact that 
macroeconomic conditions improved rapidly in 2021 and 2022. Real GDP expanded by 12.5 % 
in 2021 and by 4.0 % in 2022.  
4.104.   We note that 2017 saw the first stage of the process of deep integration towards the free 
movement of goods and natural  persons between the Republics of Guatemala and Honduras, which 
involved the development and implementation of a model for integrated and peripheral border and 
customs posts to control the transit of goods.  
4.105.   Furthermore, we value the strategy implemented by  Honduras for trade openness and 
integration into value chains, which also includes participation in preferential agreements, mainly at 
the regional level, such as the Central American Common Market and the Trade Agreement between 
the Dominican  Republic, t he United  States and Central America (DR -CAFTA).  
4.106.   Relations between the Dominican  Republic  and Honduras are becoming stronger by the day.  
4.107.   Both countries are part of DR -CAFTA and the Inter -American Economic Integration  System. 
In 2021, exports of goods from Honduras to the Dominican  Republic  reached USD  147 million and 
included perfumed mixtures, raw tobacco, flour pastes and bakery products. Our country's exports 
to Honduras amounted to USD  43 million, with the main export products being cotton fabrics, 
packaged medicines and raw tobacco.  
4.108.   Our delegation has raised a number of questions to Honduras regarding the processes that 
the country is implementing to integrate its production into global value chains and whether it has 
ever considered becoming an observe r to the Committee on Government Procurement, among 
others.  
4.109.   We thank the delegation of Honduras in advance for its replies to the questions submitted 
by our country, which will be analysed in detail by our authorities in the capital.  
4.110.   In conclusion, we once  again thank the delegation of Honduras and wish it a successful 
conclusion to this Trade Policy Review.   
COSTA  RICA 
4.111.   On behalf of the Government of Costa  Rica, I would like to welcome the delegation of 
Honduras, headed by Mr  Fredis Alonso Cerrato Valladare s, Minister of Economic Development. I also 
welcome H.E.  Dacio Castillo, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Honduras to the WTO, 
in addition to his team here in Geneva, and thank them for the Report and this morning's 
presentation. Furthermore, I w ould like to extend these thanks to Ambassador  Pagán for her 
insightful comments and to the WTO Secretariat for the Report, which is of the very high quality to 
which we are accustomed.  WT/TPR/M/443 • Honduras  
 
- 19 - 
 
  4.112.   Costa  Rica is pleased to participate in this Trade Policy Review of Ho nduras. Historically, 
Honduras has been an important trading partner for Costa  Rica. Even with the successful integration 
of the Central American economies into the global economy, Central American intraregional trade is 
of major importance for the countri es in the region.  
4.113.   Costa  Rica would like to emphasize the great importance that Honduras attaches to the WTO 
in its economic integration strategy, as well as its strong support for the multilateral trading system. 
Together with Costa  Rica, Honduras particip ates in the joint initiatives on e -commerce, investment 
facilitation for development and trade and environmental sustainability, in addition to the dialogue 
on plastics pollution and environmentally sustainable plastics trade. Honduras is a committed 
Membe r of the WTO and has made a valuable contribution through its leadership.  
4.114.   We would like to take this opportunity to thank Honduras for its support of the Statement 
on the Reform of the Multilateral Rules on Agricultural Trade at MC12, a matter on which we are 
seeing increasing convergence among Latin American WTO Members. In addition, we would like to 
extend special thanks to Ambassador Castillo for heading the discussions on the WTO's response to 
the pandemic and for his leading role as Chair of the Genera l Council. Ambassador Castillo has 
brought a great amount to the WTO and has made a major contribution to Honduras' s international 
standing.  
4.115.   With regard to the Review specifically, we note how, after a period of accelerated growth, 
the Honduran economy suf fered a major contraction in 2020 due to the impact of the COVID -19 
pandemic, which forced it to take a series of fiscal, monetary and financial measures to deal with 
this crisis.  
4.116.   Despite this, the Honduran economy saw a rapid recovery in 2021 and 2022, pa rtly driven 
by its foreign trade sector, which has grown significantly during the period under review. While it is 
true that one of the objectives of Honduran trade policy is to diversify the range of products and 
markets, we note how it continues to face significant challenges in this respect, as its trade is 
concentrated on a few products and export destinations.  
4.117.   Furthermore, we note that Honduras maintains some restrictions and limits on foreign 
investment, particularly in the small -scale industry and tr ade sector.  
4.118.   Among the positive aspects of the Review, we highlight the adoption of various trade 
facilitation -related measures, such as the adoption of the Central American Single Declaration, the 
authorized economic operator programme and the creation of the digital portal on customs 
procedures for imports and exports.  
4.119.   Moreover, Costa  Rica agrees with Honduras on the need to have a functional and effective 
dispute settlement system. In this connection, we recognize Honduras' s contribution as part of the 
discussions on the functioning of the WTO Appellate Body and the very high and effective use by 
Honduras of the dispute settlement mechanism.  
4.120.   According to a 2016 study by Raúl  Torres from the WTO Secretariat, Honduras has highest 
ratio of use of the dispute settlement mechanism compared to its participation in global trade. The 
top five positions in this study are occupied by Central American countries. Indeed, the six Central 
American countries have participated in over 100 disputes as part of the WTO disput e settlement 
mechanism, demonstrating that the system itself has worked for developing countries and small and 
low-income countries, despite affirmations to the contrary.  
4.121.   Given the interest shown by Honduras in this matter, has it considered joining the MP IA? 
4.122.   As part of this Trade Policy Review, Costa  Rica submitted several questions to Honduras on 
various elements of its trade policy, in particular on aspects related to its policies on the attraction 
of foreign direct investment, services, intellectual property protection and trade facilitation. In this 
regard, we thank Honduras for addressing these questions and wish it success in this Trade Policy 
Review.  
  WT/TPR/M/443 • Honduras  
 
- 20 - 
 
  ARGENTINA  
4.123.   We would like to join those Members that have welcomed the delegation of Honduras, led 
by Fredis  Alonso  Cerrato  Valladares, Minister of Economic Development.  
4.124.   We would also like to thank the Government of Honduras and the Secretariat for their 
reports,  as well as Ambassador María  Pagán of the United  States for her valuable remar ks. These 
elements have provided us with the necessary information to enrich our understanding of Honduras' s 
policies, trade practices and economic environment.  
4.125.   We wish to reiterate the profound importance that we attach to this relationship and our firm 
willingness to continue strengthening our ties for the mutual benefit of both nations.  
4.126.   While bilateral trade between our countries is still modest, it has been growing progressively 
since 2020, largely exceeding pre -pandemic levels. In this regard, we highlight that, in 2022, 
Argentine goods exports to Honduras reached USD  94.6 million, representing an increase of 52% 
compared to the previous year. The main products exported to Honduras were vehicles, cereals and 
pharmaceuticals. Argentine imports of go ods from Honduras amounted to USD  1.3 million in 2022. 
The main products imported were electrical machinery and equipment, clothing and clothing 
accessories and coffee.  
4.127.   With regard to bilateral trade in services, we highlight that, in 2022, Argentine expor ts 
reached USD  5.9 million, which represents an increase of 51.3% compared to the previous year. 
These exports mainly consisted of knowledge -based services. Imports during the period under 
review amounted to USD  10.2 million, representing a 29.1% increase on 2021. These imports were 
mostly concentrated in the tourism sector.  
4.128.   These figures reflect the growing trade links between our two nations. We are firmly 
convinced that our trade ties can be strengthened further. In this respect, Argentina hopes to 
increase and diversify agricultural trade with Honduras and to establish itself as a regular supplier 
of food to the Honduran market.  
4.129.   In addition, we highlight the importance of signing a free trade agreement between Honduras 
and MERCOSUR, with a view to boosti ng trade and promoting economic development. We therefore 
look forward with optimism to the resumption of negotiations shortly.  
4.130.   With regard to Honduras' s economic environment, as the country report indicates, the 
Honduran economy saw sustained growth until  2019. In 2020, Honduras was hit hard by the effects 
of the COVID -19 pandemic, which led the economy to contract by 9%. We are pleased that 
macroeconomic conditions improved rapidly in 2021 and 2022. However, despite the rapid economic 
recovery, Honduras, like other developing countries, continues to face diverse challenges, such as 
food insecurity.  
4.131.   In this connection, we must mention that, through cooperation initiatives, Argentina is 
actively contributing to jointly addressing a number of these challenges . Such cooperation initiatives 
include the programme on dairy production for family farming, which is being developed and will 
directly contribute to Honduras' s food security. We are firmly convinced that initiatives of this type 
are an excellent way of pr omoting development and tackling the challenges affecting many Members 
of this Organization.  
4.132.   We highly appreciate Honduras' s active participation in WTO activities and bodies. In 
particular, we highlight that Honduras, together with 15 other countries, cal led on Members to step 
up efforts to reform multilateral rules on agricultural trade, with a view to creating conditions 
conducive to the sustainable development of our region.  
4.133.   We would like to take this opportunity to reiterate our intention to work joint ly with Honduras 
and other Members in the WTO reform process. We hope to strengthen the WTO's ability to tackle 
present and future challenges in international trade, creating a fairer multilateral trading system 
that is capable of meeting the needs of deve loping countries.  WT/TPR/M/443 • Honduras  
 
- 21 - 
 
  4.134.   Lastly, as part of this Trade Policy Review, we have submitted a series of questions to 
Honduras relating to the free zone regime, the authorized economic operator programme, the 
livestock voucher, the productive technology voucher and ot her matters. We  thank Honduras in 
advance for the replies, which will be duly examined by our colleagues in Buenos  Aires.  
4.135.   We are especially grateful for the work of Ambassador Dacio Castillo, who guided us in 
various processes as part of the preparatory wo rk for MC12, both as Chair of the General Council 
and as facilitator of the discussions on the pandemic response, and more recently in relation to the 
discussions on the Transformation Office. We are convinced that his inclusive, receptive and 
technically precise and innovative leadership was key for many of the results that we achieved.  
4.136.   In addition to reiterating our appreciation of this renewed opportunity to exchange reflections 
on Honduras' s trade practices, we would like to draw attention once again to  the importance of all 
aspects of this exercise in transparency and wish the Honduran authorities a successful conclusion 
to this Review.  
CHINA  
4.137.   First of all, I  would like to join others to extend a warm welcome to the delegation of 
Honduras  led by H.E. Minister Cerrato  Valladares.  
4.138.   I would also like to thank the Government of Honduras and the WTO Secretariat for the 
preparation of the Review, and  appreciate the insightful and lively comments by  the discussant , 
H.E. Ambassador Mar ía Pagán. 
4.139.   China comme nds Honduras 's significant progress  in econom y and trade over the  Review 
period, despite of the global challenge of the COVID -19 pandemic . Like most of the economies 
worldwide , the economy of Honduras  was hit hard  in 2020 by the pandemic . But with the effe ctive 
supporting policies, the economy of  Honduras recovered rapidly in 2021 and 2022, with a 
double -digit growth  in 2021 . 
4.140.   China appreciates Honduras 's remarkable efforts to promote inclusive and sustainable 
economic growth. They include, inter alia, the implementation of measures to support economic 
activity and job creation, like the improved availability of financial resources, and budget 
reformulatio n and the Government Plan to Refound the Homeland and Construct a Socialist and 
Democratic State 2022 -26, which guarantees a stable socio -political environment conducive to 
long-term economic growth.  
4.141.   China appreciates  Honduras 's active participation in  the multilateral trading system  and also 
its contribution . We also welcome Honduras 's active participation in joint initiatives on e -commerce, 
MSMEs, investment facilitation for development, and other environment -related initiatives, such as 
the Dialogue on P lastics Pollution and Environmentally Sustainable Plastics Trade. Like others 
mentioned, we look forward to Honduras 's early participation in MPIA.  
4.142.   Before I change to regional, I would like to echo those before me to take this opportunity to 
highly commen d and appreciate Amb assador Dacio  Castillo 's personal contributions to this 
Organization, as the head of Honduras Mission, and many other WTO hats, especially, when we were 
moving to the MC12 and his unique way to garner consensus. In the meantime, we woul d also highly 
commend the work and contributions by the DPR Alana  Lanza. We really appreciate all the work they 
have done for this multilateral trading system.  
4.143.   Regarding regional economic cooperation, since its last policy review in 2016, Honduras has 
signed FTAs with various Members such as Peru, the Republic  of Korea, and the United  Kingdom. 
These efforts will surely help improve the integration of Honduras into the global economy.  
4.144.   China and Honduras have strong economic complementarities and great potential for 
cooperation. As our statistics shows, in 2022, China 's bilateral trade with Hondu ras totalled  
USD 1.59 billion. According to the Secretariat 's Report, China is now the second  largest source of 
import of Honduras.  WT/TPR/M/443 • Honduras  
 
- 22 - 
 
  4.145.   In March  of this year , China and Honduras  establish ed diplomatic relations at the 
ambassadorial level.  We believe this new relationship will further enhance our trade and economic 
cooperation.  
4.146.   On 12  June, President Xi  Jinping held a historic meeting with Honduran President 
Xiomara  Castro. The two sides issued a joint statement, announcing the consensus on negotiating a 
free t rade agreement between the two countries and promoting pragmatic cooperation in various 
fields.  We are pleased to see this first round of FTA negotiation was launched in the early July.  
4.147.   We are ready to work together with Honduras through various dialogue m echanisms, 
including the FTA to further tap the potential of bilateral economic and trade cooperation, and bring 
China - Honduras economic and trade cooperation to a new level.  
4.148.   For the purpose of t his review, China submitted questions regard ing the implicat ions of  the 
customs union, issues of customs clearance and customs brokerage , rules of origin,  etc. We thank 
the delegation of Honduras for their response to our questions.  
4.149.   Finally, we wish Honduras 's Trade Policy Review  a full success . 
EUROPEAN  UNION  
4.150.   Allow me to start by welcoming the delegation of Honduras to Geneva and congratulating 
the head of delegation , the Minister of  Economic Development of Honduras, Mr  Fredis  Cerrato, on 
his new appointment, and wish him much success in his endeavours. I would also like to pay tribute 
to Ambassador Dacio  Castillo and for undertaking several important chairing and facilitating roles in 
the past and present in the WTO. Finally, I  also thank the discussant for the Review, 
H. E. Ambassador Mar ía Pagán from the United  States  for her introductory remarks.  
4.151.   The EU commends Honduras for its recent economic performance, which has been especially 
impressive following its rapid recovery af ter the height of the COVID -19 pandemic. Honduras had a 
remarkable reaction in 2021, with its GDP growth rebounding by 12.5% and was still growing strong 
in 2022 at a 4% rate. Projections for 2023 and 2024 suggest that economic activity will continue to 
expand at a similar rate. Nevertheless, we note that Honduras 's exports to the world remain 
concentrated in a few products – mainly coffee and textiles –, which do concentrate the potential 
effects of global risks into very specific parts of the economy.  
4.152.   Last year, the European  Union and Honduras celebrated the 10th anniversary of the signature 
of the Association Agreement between the EU and six Central  American countries. Trade between 
the partners have been exceptionally dynamic over the period, with Hondur an exports to the EU 
increasing by almost 250% between 2013 and 2022. At the same time, EU exports to Honduras 
almost doubled over the same period. Foreign direct investment originating in the EU has also 
experienced an important boost since the signing of  the Association Agreement, growing by more 
than 50% between 2012 and 2021.  
4.153.   Viable economic prosperity requires that our economies be sustainable. Maintaining a 
vigorous commercial relationship increasingly depends on our ability to support certain intrinsic 
rights, in particular those in the environmental field. The current climate and energy crisis affecting 
Honduras remains a key focus of our bilateral cooperation and an area where we hope to see reforms 
to keep up pace. Water management as well a s reinforcement of the electric transmission system 
are key to address existing challenges and we trust Honduras will be able to provide for a balanced 
participation of both the public and private sector to the formulation and implementation of the 
necessa ry solutions to these intricate challenges.  
4.154.   The Association Agreement together with the bilateral cooperation between Honduras and 
the EU have allowed us to make progress in various areas. This is especially true with respect to the 
implementation of multi lateral conventions on labour rights, and environmental and climate 
protection. These matters were subject of discussion as recently as 8  June of this year in a virtual 
bilateral meeting on trade and sustainable development, and the EU recognizes the recen t progress 
Honduras has made in these areas.  WT/TPR/M/443 • Honduras  
 
- 23 - 
 
  4.155.   Over the last two years, the European  Union has adopted legislative measures to ensure that 
due diligence mechanisms exist throughout supply chains to verify that economic activities do not 
create unacceptable n egative impact on human rights and the environment – in particular for those 
activities that present deforestation risks. We remain convinced that Honduras exporters will not 
only rise to this challenge but transform it into a great opportunity as a region al leader in the 
production of organic products for which the European market and consumers are increasingly 
demanding sustainable processes and outcomes. In order to assist Honduras in achieving these 
sustainability objectives, the EU and Honduras have al ready been cooperating in this area for several 
years. Notably, through the conclusion of a FLEGT (Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade) 
Voluntary Partnership Agreement in 2021 and the corresponding projects activities, which have been 
implemented since then under the Multiannual Indicative Programme 2021 -2027 where forestry and 
sustainable value chains are a priority area.  
4.156.   The European  Union counts on Honduras as a close partner to promote the regional 
integration agenda in Central America, in part icular through the "Deep Integration Process for the 
free movement of people and goods between Guatemala and Honduras", sponsored by SIECA.  
4.157.   The EU also welcomes the active role of Honduras in the WTO and its continuous support to 
the multilateral trading system. In the WTO, Honduras punches much above its economic weight 
thanks to the knowledge and experience of Ambassador Castillo and his team. We invite Honduras 
to join the MPIA as it would give a clear signal of the commitment to the rules -based trading  system. 
We welcome the participation of Honduras in initiatives to promote e -commerce, the integration of 
MSMEs into world trade, the recently concluded negotiations of the investment facilitation for 
development agreement, as well as in initiatives to pr omote environmental sustainability and 
women's participation in trade.  
4.158.   Honduras is a valued trading partner of the European  Union, and we count on Honduras 
constructive engagement in the lead -up to the 13th Ministerial Conference, including in the WTO 
reform discussions.  
4.159.   We thank Honduras for the replies to our questions and concerns and we will continue to 
review the responses carefully.  
4.160.   On behalf of the E uropean  Union, I wish Honduras a successful fourth  Trade Policy Review.  
ECUADOR  
4.161.   My delegation would  first like to thank Honduras and the Secretariat for the reports 
presented. We also thank Ambassador María  Pagán, discussant in this exercise, for her presentation.  
4.162.   I welcome the delegation of Honduras, led by Mr  Fredis  Cerrato, Minister of Economic 
Devel opment. I also extend my warmest greetings to my colleague Dacio  Castillo and the members 
of the Honduran Mission in Geneva; we highly appreciate their professionalism and experience and 
share a dynamic and fruitful working relationship with them.  
4.163.   In 2022,  trade between Ecuador and Honduras was significant. It showed a year -on-year 
increase, a positive trend that was temporarily disrupted by the pandemic -induced economic 
slowdown. We hope that the projections for 2023 confirm this pace of trade, to the bene fit of both 
countries.  
4.164.   Ecuador's exports to the Honduran market mainly consist of preparations used in animal 
feed (balanced), which represent 23% of total exports, followed by articles of leather, plastic and 
rubber (17%), fertilizers (9%), gas cookers (8 %) and fishmeal (7%).  
4.165.   The main products imported by Ecuador from Honduras are clothing (35%), flowers (19%), 
articles of asbestos such as sheets, panels and tiles (10%), paper and paperboard products (10%) 
and bakery products (6%).  
4.166.   The two countries' excel lent trade and economic relations, and the high level of bilateral 
relations in general, are confirmed through the work that we jointly undertake within the WTO.  WT/TPR/M/443 • Honduras  
 
- 24 - 
 
  4.167.   I would like to mention some examples demonstrating this productive interaction. I will begin 
by mentioning Honduras' s participation in the joint initiatives to promote e -commerce, the 
integration of MSMEs into trade, investment facilitation for development, as well as in the working 
group to promote women's participation in trade.  
4.168.   Honduras is also part of the Informal Dialogue on Plastics Pollution and Environmentally 
Sustainable Plastics Trade, of which Ecuador is a co -sponsor and co -coordinator.  
4.169.   Honduras' s work as an active WTO Member reflects its commitment to the objectives of the 
multilate ral trading system. In the year before last, Ambassador Dacio  Castillo, a dear friend, played 
a leading role as Chair of the General Council, and his expertise and experience of the international 
trading system have subsequently been very useful in managin g our common agenda.  
4.170.   For small economies like Honduras and Ecuador, a multilateral system based on clear and 
stable rules is essential for advancing growth and the well -being of their peoples. Between 2016 and 
2019, the Honduran economy saw significant gro wth. Its GDP grew at an average annual rate of 
3.8% between 2016 and 2019, which means that per capita income rose.  
4.171.   Honduras has developed policies for the creation of an inclusive and resilient agricultural 
economy, the modernization and simplification of  customs procedures, the improvement of its 
intellectual property regulations and the implementation of more environmentally -friendly trade 
practices, particularly in the tourism sector.  
4.172.   However, we agree with the remarks in the discussant's report that Ho nduras still maintains 
certain trade practices that partially affect the entry of products into its market and the participation 
of foreign companies based in its territory. Among these practices, we note incentives for its 
agricultural sector, non -tariff regulations (technical regulations and sanitary and phytosanitary 
measures) and the differentiation in public procurement procedures.  
4.173.   This does not prevent us, however, from continuing to build a mutually beneficial trade 
relationship, based on the rules o f the international trading system and through bilateral 
agreements. Ecuador is interested in strengthening its relationship with Honduras through the 
negotiation of a partial scope trade agreement.  
4.174.   The questions submitted by Ecuador for consideration by H onduras in this Review cover the 
economic environment and tariff policy, trade and investment regimes and trade policies and 
practices relating to public procurement and services.  
4.175.   Ecuador thanks Honduras for the replies to the questions it has raised and w ishes Honduras 
every success in the conduct and outcomes of this exercise.  
PANAM A 
4.176.   Thank you, Chair. I congratulate you on your appointment as Chair of this important body. 
You have Panama's full support in carrying out your task.  
4.177.   We welcome Mr  Fredis  Alonso  Cerrato, Minister of Economic Development of the Republic of 
Honduras, and we congratulate his entire delegation, as well as our colleagues and friends from the 
Mission, for their outstanding preparation for their fourth Trade Policy Review.  
4.178.   I also  thank Ambassador María  Pagán for her presentation. I would also like to commend the 
Secretariat for its work in drafting the respective reports.  
4.179.   Panama and Honduras share important historical ties and socio -economic relations.  
4.180.   Our countries, together with  other Central American nations, negotiated various agreements, 
including a trade agreement with the Republic of Korea, the Association Agreement between Central 
America and the European  Union , and the Association Agreement with the United  Kingdom, with th e 
aim of consolidating the region as a trade destination and boosting our trade in these markets.  WT/TPR/M/443 • Honduras  
 
- 25 - 
 
  4.181.   Our countries became part of a joint committee for scientific and technical cooperation to 
enhance cooperation and develop areas of mutual agreement in variou s key sectors, including 
agriculture, MSMEs and tourism. It recently held its first follow -up meeting.  
4.182.   Our bilateral trade in goods shows a favourable balance for Honduras. In 2018, Panama's 
exports amounted to approximately USD  6.2 million, while imports into Panama from Honduras 
amounted to USD  43.7 million.  
4.183.   Panama's main exports to Honduras are agro -industrial and industrial products, such as 
flour, preserved meat and tobacco. Our largest import from Honduras is dog or cat food, put up for 
retail sale.  
4.184.   Furthermore, Panama's trade with Honduras through the Colón Free Zone increased during 
the review period, from USD  387 million in 2017 to USD  422 million in 2019. Medicines were the 
main product re -exported to Honduras.  
4.185.   Our free trade agreement has facilita ted the exchange of services and direct investment, 
including the establishment of branches of Panamanian financial institutions in Honduras in sectors 
such as insurance, reinsurance and insurance of risks relating to international and maritime shipping.  
4.186.   Panama has made substantial direct investments in Honduras' s manufacturing industry and 
tourism trade, including bars, restaurants and hotels. Honduras' s main foreign investment in Panama 
is the Ficohsa bank, which has maintained a presence in Panama for ov er 10 years.  
4.187.   During the review period, family remittances to Honduras reached USD  8.9 million in 2022, 
a 1.5 percentage point increase compared to 2021. We note that remittances accounted for 26.7% 
of GDP in 2022.  
4.188.   We are confident that the new Government Plan to Refound the Homeland 2022 -26 will 
achieve its development objectives. We will follow closely the outcome of your efforts to boost 
industrial development in high -potential and high -tech sectors.  
4.189.   Panama shares  Honduras' s objective of achieving food sovereignty. We also expect the new 
agriculture policy to enhance sustainable growth and reduce poverty in rural areas.  
4.190.   At the WTO, we are both part of the G -33 and the Group of Small and Vulnerable Economies, 
and we  are calling for our countries' vulnerable situation to be taken into account in the WTO's 
agricultural reform.  
4.191.   Together with other Latin American countries, we are organizing a WTO Public Forum panel 
on the region's role in ensuring global food security a nd promoting social inclusion and economic 
prosperity.  
4.192.   To conclude, I would like to draw attention to Ambassador Castillo's great work at the WTO 
over the review period. He has held various important roles at this Organization, most recently as 
Chair of th e Dispute Settlement Body, Chair of the General Council and a facilitator of the 
consultations on the Secretariat's transformation.  
4.193.   Special mention should be made of his skills as an impartial mediator, which all Members 
witnessed during the negotiations o f the MC12 Outcome Document. In fact, the negotiations on the 
Outcome Document were the first to be completed before our ministers arrived in Geneva. All this 
has demonstrated Honduras' s commitment to the multilateral trading system.  
4.194.   We commend Honduras fo r its active participation in and clear commitment to the 
multilateral trading system and wish the country every success in this fourth Trade Policy Review.  
  WT/TPR/M/443 • Honduras  
 
- 26 - 
 
  JAMAICA  
4.195.   Jamaica congratulates Honduras on its Trade Policy Review. We extend a warm welcome to 
its distinguished delegation, led by H .E. Fredis  Alonso  Cerrato  Valladares, Minister of Economic 
Development. We welcome the delegation 's detailed Report and extend best wishes to the delegation 
for a successful Review.  
4.196.   We commend the Chair and the Secretar iat for their efforts to facilitate this review process, 
and our discussant, Ambassador Mar ía Pagán of the United  States for her detailed analysis of the 
trade policies of Honduras.  
4.197.   Jamaica and Honduras have a longstanding partnership, which began in 1975 . Though the 
trade balance between our two countries fell by approximately 53% since Honduras 's last Trade 
Policy Review , it remains heavily in favour of Honduras – making it an important trading partner of 
Jamaica. Our collaboration is further facilitated by people -to-people contact and joint membership 
in regional and hemispheric bodies, including the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), and the 
Organi zation of American States (OAS).  
4.198.   We commend the efforts of Honduras to maintain and strengt hen its trade policy. Since its 
last Trade Policy Review  in 2016, we note that it expanded its network of preferential trade 
agreements and implemented a wide range of measures aimed at supporting deeper trade 
integration within the Central American region . The adoption of measures to better facilitate trade, 
including the use of electronic means to speed up processing of goods at the border, is impressive.  
4.199.   We further commend the proactive approach taken by the Honduran Government to promote 
job creation, boost public confidence and long -term economic growth. We note from the 
Government 's Report that during the period, 2016 -2019, despite adverse global conditions, 
economic activity was robust, with the economy growing at an average annual rate of 3.8 %. This  
growth was, no doubt, facilitated by the Government 's implementation of a prudent macroeconomic 
policy management, which is anchored in the Fiscal Responsibility Law.  
4.200.   Like most countries, however, Honduras 's growth was impacted by the onset of the 
COVID -19 pandemic, with GDP contracting as much as 9 %, and gross capital formation declining by 
23.8%. Despite this, macroeconomic conditions improved in 2021 and 2022, and we are pleased by 
the positive 3.5 % projec tions for growth by the World  Bank.  
4.201.   Jamaica notes, with keen interest, the Government 's Plan to Refound the Homeland and 
Construct a Socialist and Democratic State 2022 -2026, and its five strategic development sectors. 
Jamaica views the objectives of this inclusive approach, such as increased employment, stimulating 
activities of small businesses, and fostering legal certainty within the economy, as positive steps for 
improved trade performance and sustainable economic growth.  
4.202.   A founding Member of the World  Trade Organi zation, Honduras continues to actively 
contribute to the strengthening of the Organi zation and the multilateral trade system. We appreciate 
the importance accorded to the defence and promotion of an inclusive, open, and transparent WTO 
that fu nctions effectively for all its Members. These are principles/values shared by Jamaica. In this 
respect, Jamaica welcomes the active and constructive engagement of the delegation of Honduras, 
led by Ambassador Dacio  Castillo.  
4.203.   We applaud his leadership rol e on various initiatives and his contribution to the outcomes of 
MC12. It is our hope that we can deepen our collaboration on issues of mutual interest such as 
WTO Reform, Plastics Pollution and Environmentally Sustainable Plastics Trade, and the 
implement ation of the outcomes of MC12.  
4.204.   We note that Members have raised questions regarding the Government 's Plan to Refound 
the Homeland and Construct a Socialist and Democratic State 2022 -2026; trade policies including 
women; and acceptance of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies to name a few. Jamaica looks 
forward to the exchange with Honduras in this regard.  
4.205.   To close, Jamaica reiterates its best wishes to the delegation for a successful fourth Trade 
Policy Review.  WT/TPR/M/443 • Honduras  
 
- 27 - 
 
  BOLIVARIAN REPUBLIC OF  VENEZUELA  
4.206.   The delegation of the Bolivarian  Republic  of Venezuela  wishes to welcome the delegation of 
the Republic of Honduras, headed by Fredis Alonso Cerrato Valladares, Minister of Economic 
Development. We thank the discussant, Ambassador of the United  States  of America, 
Ms María  Pagán, for her context -setting analysis, and the Secretariat for its organization and 
documentation.  
4.207.   We would like to begin our statement by highlighting the historical ties of b rotherhood and 
trade cooperation that have united us with the Republic of Honduras. In particular, we recall the 
close ties between both countries seeking greater Latin American and Caribbean integration, and 
especially their participation in the Bolivaria n Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA -TCP) 
and PetroCaribe, through which there has been substantial trade. Unfortunately, these ties were 
severed for a time, but were restored last year under the current President of Honduras, Xiomara 
Castro. We  have thus regained our commitment to work together in unity for the people's well -being.  
4.208.   Regarding the report submitted by the WTO Secretariat for the fourth Trade Policy Review 
of Honduras covering the period 2016 -22, we note that the country's agricultu ral sector, including 
fishing, remains important for its economy and job creation in particular. We also note that 
Honduras, like most countries, was negatively affected by the COVID -19 pandemic, with Honduran 
GDP contracting by 9% in 2020.  
4.209.   We are pleased to see that, according to the report, macroeconomic conditions in Honduras 
improved rapidly in 2021 and 2022, and that real GDP expanded by 12.5% in 2021 and by 4.0% 
in 2022. We hope that the growth figures extend to all the country's major economic sector s and 
translate into real benefits for the people.  
4.210.   As we wish the Republic of Honduras a successful Trade Policy Review, we would like to close 
our statement by reaffirming our willingness to strengthen trade relations, as well as our shared 
commitment to shaping a strong, supportive, fair and predictable multilateral trading system based 
on common and transparent rules. We would also like to commend and thank Ambassador 
Dacio  Castillo and his team for their hard work within many of this Organization's area s of 
competence.  
NICARAGUA  
4.211.   On behalf of the Government of Reconciliation and National Unity of Nicaragua, we extend 
fraternal greetings to the Republic of Honduras and warmly welcome its delegation, headed by 
Mr Fredis Alonso Cerrato Valladares, Minister o f Economic Development, as well as the honourable 
team from the Permanent Mission of Honduras to the WTO, led by our friend, Ambassador 
Dacio  Castillo. We agree that his elegant style makes him a WTO icon, a worthy son of Central 
America.  
4.212.   We thank Honduras  for its report and for the excellent presentation made today. We also 
thank Ambassador María  Pagán of the United  States for her insightful comments and the WTO 
Secretariat for its report and valuable work.  
4.213.   It is an honour for Nicaragua to take part in thi s transparency exercise concerning our 
neighbour country and strategic partner, to which we are bound by historical, cultural and fraternal 
ties consolidated by the Central American Integration System (SICA).  
4.214.   In the area of trade, we have participated in t he Central American Common Market 
since 1960, which reflects the extensive harmonization of trade and tariff rules to date. We share a 
commitment to continue integrating our markets through negotiations on the Treaty on Investment 
and Trade in Services and  technical standards, and through the implementation of the Central 
American Strategy for Trade Facilitation, among other regional instruments.  
4.215.   We also share the various agreements that we, the Central American region, have negotiated 
with other trading pa rtners.  WT/TPR/M/443 • Honduras  
 
- 28 - 
 
  4.216.   At the bilateral level, exports from Nicaragua to Honduras amounted to USD  134.1  million 
in 2022. The main Nicaraguan products exported to Honduras included bovine meat, quesillo, 
mozzarella cheese, beans, morolique cheese and processed coffee. Fur thermore, Nicaragua made 
purchases from Honduras to the value of USD  245.2  million in 2022.  
4.217.   To conclude, we commend the Republic of Honduras for its commitment to the multilateral 
trading system, as strongly demonstrated by this Trade Policy Review, and we  wish the country 
every success.  
INDIA  
4.218.   We are pleased to participate in the fourth  Trade Policy Review of Honduras. We extend a 
warm welcome to the delegation of Honduras led by H .E. Mr Fredis  Alonso  Cerrato  Valladares 
Minister of Economic Development. We thank the Government of Honduras and the WTO Secretariat 
for the excellent reports prepared for the Review and discussant, H.E. Ambassador Ms  María Pagán 
of the United  States, for her insightful comments.  
4.219.   India and Honduras enjoy cordial relations and a close trade and development partnership. 
India's growing bilateral political, commercial, cultural, and developmental relations has received 
new impetus through the recent high -level engagements between the tw o countries. India 's Minister 
of State for External Affairs and Culture, Smt.  Meenakshi  Lekhi had visited Honduras in May  2022.  
4.220.   We are also working to intensify our engagement with all Central American Countries 
including Honduras through the framework of  the Central American Integration System (SICA). 
India's External Affairs Minister Dr  Subrahmanyam  Jaishankar participated in the Fourth  India-SICA 
Ministerial Meeting in April this year. This is a testimony to India 's desire to seek closer relationship 
with all the SICA member States; closer not just in words but in actions, policies and cooperation. 
As developing countries, we share common perspectives and challenges and we are confronted with 
the common global challenges thrown up by the pandemic, ongoin g conflicts and the added burden 
of having to deal with the pre -existing conditions and these are poverty reduction, food and energy 
security.  
4.221.   In this regard, H.E. Minister, we were delighted to hear in your opening statement, 
Honduras 's steadfast commitment to a fully functioning, effective and an inclusive multilateral 
trading system . The priorities identified by you, namely, the PSH and SSM to address the current 
global food crisis, the reform of the dispute settlement system, and effe ctive SDT provisions, are the 
top priorities for a number of developing countries, including India.  
4.222.   India's bilateral trade with Honduras has been steadily growing and has nearly doubled in 
the past year to reach USD 310.81  million in 2021 -2022. We would l ike to see this grow further and 
there is immense potential for that. We hope that an expeditious conclusion of the India -SICA free 
trade agreement (FTA), which is in the final stages of negotiations will provide that impetus we need.  
4.223.   India has been a close development partner of Honduras and have partnered for several 
capacity building, infrastructure development and technical assistance programs. We are glad that 
we could help you with some assistance during the COVID -19 pandemic in y our fight against the 
virus through supplies of essential medicines, PPEs , etc. Owing to the close bilateral ties, Honduras 
and India have consistently supported each other at the multilateral fora over the years and we 
thank Honduras for their support and  partnership in promoting an effective and just multilateralism.  
4.224.   We note from the Secretariat Report, that Honduras was maintaining a steady growth before 
the pandemic and like most economies across the world, Honduras was also severely impacted by 
the eco nomic effects of the pandemic, with its GDP contracting by 9%. However, we are pleased to 
note the impressive recovery made since then. We commend the Government of Honduras for their 
pragmatic mix of fiscal consolidation policies and government support me asures during the pandemic 
in this regard. As noted by discussant Ambassador Pag án, Honduras remains an open economy and 
the continued focus of the Government to make its trade policy regime more stable, transparent and 
predictable.  
4.225.   We commend the Governme nt of Honduras for their continued efforts to boost economy to 
reduce poverty and economic inequality. We hope that the initiatives taken by Honduras and with WT/TPR/M/443 • Honduras  
 
- 29 - 
 
  the support of its international partners, it will gain meaningfully from the regional integratio n 
processes, integration into global value chains and the multilateral trading system.  
4.226.   We deeply appreciate that Honduras has been an active voice in the WTO, particularly in 
promoting the interests of developing countries and small and vulnerable economie s. We look 
forward to continuing  our close engagement with the Honduras delegation in Geneva.  
4.227.   Finally , I would be failing in my duty if I did not say a few words about the Permanent 
Representative Ambassador Mr  Dacio  Castillo. In an Organization like the W TO with 164  Members, 
the smaller delegations can easily get crowded -out, but not Honduras. We all know more about 
Honduras because of him. He has raised the profile of his country in the WTO, in a way probably 
only he could do. Members have spoken about th e many and versatile hats he has worn, especially 
as the General Council Chair; his contribution in shaping many of the positive outcomes of MC12; 
and work conducted by him in an open, transparent , and inclusive manner. I take this opportunity 
to place on record our deep appreciation for his work and hope that he will continue to serve his 
country and this Organization for many more years to come.  
4.228.   We wish the Honduras delegation a successful Trade Policy Review.  
  WT/TPR/M/443 • Honduras  
 
- 30 - 
 
  5  REPLIES BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF HONDURAS  AND ADDITIONAL COMMENTS  
5.1.  In this second session of Honduras' s fourth Trade Policy Review, I would like to express my 
appreciation to you for your insightful comments and for conducting this meeting. I would like to 
thank Ambassador María Pagán of the United  States  for serving as discussant for this exercise and 
for her important comments about Honduras, its trade policies and its social and economic issues 
and challenges. I also wish to thank Members for actively par ticipating in this Review and 
acknowledging the work of our Ambassador Dacio Castillo and his contributions to the World Trade 
Organization's endeavours.  
5.2.  I wish to express our appreciation to Members for the interest shown in Honduras and its trade 
and eco nomic policies. We welcome the support expressed for the Government Plan to Refound the 
Homeland and Construct a Socialist and Democratic State 2022 -26, and the acknowledgement of 
Honduras' s commitment and contributions to open trade and reforming the rule s of the multilateral 
trading system to take account of the interests, needs and aspirations of economies like that of 
Honduras.  
5.3.  During Members' statements in the first session of this Review, we noted the interest in specific 
aspects of our trade policies  and other matters related to Honduras' s public policy objectives. In this 
vein, our country reaffirms its commitment to continue working constructively with Members to 
address their concerns and our needs. In the document containing our replies, we dealt with the 
concerns regarding the topics covered. As for the questions submitted after 28  June, will be providing 
responses in a timely manner, in accordance with the applicable practice and procedures.  
5.4.  Regarding the comments made during the first session, I  would like to mention the following:  
5.5.  Concerning regulations on certain agricultural products referred to by the United  States , we 
asked in 2022 to address the issue as part of our bilateral trade agreement in order to find solutions 
to the impact of open trade on these sectors, as well as the resulting impact on society and 
governance. For Honduras, this is a case where both the bilateral and multilateral instruments in 
place fail to meet the needs of small and vulnerable economies affected by distortions in the 
international trade of agricultural products. We recently met with US representatives in Tegucigalpa 
to explain the reasons behind these regulations and how they operate. We are waiting to be able to 
address the agriculture sector problem constructi vely in the context of preferential trade 
liberalization and the process of agricultural trade reform at the WTO. We are also waiting to be able 
to address other trade matters of interest to Honduras, in addition to those outlined by the 
United  States  in its statement, as part of our close bilateral relationship.  
5.6.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank the United  States  for its assistance, through 
USAID, for the Paperless Customs project, which supports our trade facilitation efforts. I would also 
like to express my appreciation for the recent signing of a letter of collaboration with the Agricultural 
Trade and Climate Smart Innovations (ATraCSI) project financed by the USDA, to tackle facilitation 
issues and improve production and export capacities i n the agricultural sector. This cooperation helps 
address, albeit partially, the challenges of diversifying our exports, as we mentioned during this 
Review.  
5.7.  Some Members have drawn our attention to a group of tariff lines with applied rates exceeding 
bound  rates in the context of our obligations under Article  II of GATT  1994. We have assessed the 
situation, which arises from several transitions to more recent versions of the Harmonized 
Commodity Description and Coding System (HS). Our document responding to  the questions posed 
in this Review contains a comprehensive explanation of the details.  
5.8.  In this vein, Honduras reaffirms its commitment to fulfilling its WTO tariff obligations in order 
to ensure transparency and predictability in international trade, and  will proceed accordingly.  
5.9.  Some Members commented on the investment regime in Honduras. I wish to point out that 
attracting investment in Honduras is a key element of President Castro's government policy. It 
promotes responsible and environmentally sustain able investment that is in line with Honduras' s 
priorities and development objectives under the Government Plan, and does not create illegal 
enclaves or sacrifice our sovereignty.  WT/TPR/M/443 • Honduras  
 
- 31 - 
 
  5.10.   Honduras reiterates its willingness to promote an open and attractive invest ment climate and 
to engage interested parties in dialogue within a framework of respect for domestic law, 
transparency and anti -corruption. We welcome the conclusion of the discussions on an investment 
facilitation for development agreement, which will be presented at MC13 in 2024. It seeks to 
strengthen the dialogue between governments and investors, promote the uptake of responsible 
business conduct practices and prevent and fight corruption. These aims are consistent with 
President Castro's Government Pl an. 
5.11.   In their statements, Singapore and other Members urged us to approve the Agreement on 
Fisheries Subsidies adopted at MC12. Honduras actively participated in the discussions and hopes to 
move forward with legislative approval soon.  
5.12.   Members made statemen ts calling on us to participate in the Multi -Party Interim Appeal 
Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA). Honduras takes note of the Members' comments in this regard, 
and we are conducting the relevant internal assessments. Honduras' s priority is to have a fully 
functioning dispute settlement system with a review mechanism to ensure that decisions are 
consistent and predictable.  
5.13.   In their statements, the European  Union  and other Members pointed out the challenges of 
concentrating our exports in a group of products a nd markets, which makes our economy more 
vulnerable and poses a major problem in terms of public policies.  
5.14.   However, I wish to express our concern regarding the adoption and imminent entry into force 
of EU regulations that will have a severe impact on coffe e exports, our main agricultural export 
product. We welcome Ambassador João Aguiar Machado's remarks regarding the inclusion of 
projects and activities to address this issue in the Multiannual Indicative Programme 2021 -27. We 
are eager to build, as a matte r of urgency, a collaborative agenda to address these issues and thus 
prevent a positive outcome of our trade agreement from being diluted, to the detriment of our 
agricultural producers. We hope to be able to discuss this situation soon at the bilateral l evel and at 
the next EU -Central America Association Council meeting.  
5.15.   I take this opportunity to thank the European  Union  for its support for trade facilitation 
measures, particularly the work undertaken as part of the Central American Economic Integration 
project. It enabled the implementation of the Central American Single Declaration (DUCA) and the 
development of the Central American digital trade platform (PDCC) as specific measures under the 
Central American Trade Facilitation Strategy. We also apprecia te its support for the Process of Deep 
Integration leading to the Free Movement of Goods and Natural Persons between the Republics of 
Guatemala and Honduras. We hope to continue receiving this assistance to enhance trade 
facilitation.  
5.16.   In the first half of 2024, Honduras will hold the pro tempore  presidency of the Central 
American Economic Integration Subsystem and hopes to continue working with the European  Union  
on initiatives to deepen regional integration and facilitate trade.  
5.17.   In its statement, Brazil requested our assistance in completing the analysis processes for the 
export of various agricultural products to Honduras. In June  2023, we sent a letter to the Brazilian 
Embassy in Honduras, listing the approved establishments for expor ting genetic material to 
Honduras and requesting further information in order to continue the approval process for admission 
to the country.  
5.18.   I wish to thank Japan for its ongoing support in this fourth Review and in developing the 
Regional Mobility and Log istics Policy Framework and its Master Plan 2035, which was recently 
adopted by the Councils of Ministers for Economic Integration, Finance and Transport. The Master 
Plan identifies 11 strategic logistics corridors that will improve internal and external c onnectivity 
systems. We invite Members to familiarize themselves with the Plan and endorse it as a concrete 
show of support for measures to facilitate trade and enhance competitiveness.  
5.19.   Some Members, Ecuador and Argentina among them, expressed their interest in moving 
towards a preferential trading relationship. As we said in our opening statement, Honduras is 
amenable to signing preferential trade agreements with strategic partners or co untries with which WT/TPR/M/443 • Honduras  
 
- 32 - 
 
  the most cordial and friendly diplomatic relations are established, though we must always find a 
balance that takes our exporters' commercial interests into account.  
5.20.   Regarding notification requirements, Honduras reiterates its commitment  to transparency and 
will make every effort to bring itself up to date with the notifications that have not yet been 
submitted.  
5.21.   I wish to express my pleasure at representing Honduras in its fourth Trade Policy Review. As 
we indicated in our opening stateme nt, Honduras will continue to support a policy based on three 
pillars: (i)  participation in the multilateral trading system under the auspices of the WTO; 
(ii) deepening of Central American economic integration; and (iii)  expansion of its network of 
prefer ential trade agreements, while facilitating trade, defending our trade interests and promoting 
a trade policy that is consistent with other public policies for the sustainable development of 
Honduras. We will pay particular attention to initiatives address ing the impact of climate change, 
gender inclusion and the sustainable use of resources, among other issues.  
5.22.   We are convinced that this exercise has enabled WTO Members to learn about the progress 
made by President Xiomara Castro's Government in terms of t he economy and trade under the 
Refoundation Plan, in pursuit of an alternative economic model for Honduras that addresses 
socio-economic problems and aims to restore the rule of law, fight corruption and crime, increase 
transparency, combat inequality and tackle poverty for the benefit of the Honduran people. During 
this Review, Honduras has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the multilateral trading system 
and its reform, promoting fair trade, claiming special and differential treatment, and addressin g our 
development needs as a small and vulnerable economy.  
5.23.   Lastly, Chair, I again wish to thank you for conducting Honduras' s fourth Trade Policy Review, 
and to express our appreciation to the discussant, the Members that supported us through their 
active participation, the WTO Secretariat, all the Trade Policies Review Division staff for the 
assistance they provided throughout the process, especially Mr Angelo Silvy and Ms Eugenia Lizano 
for supporting us during Honduras' s four Trade Policy Reviews, and, l ast but not least, the 
interpreters.  
DISCUSSANT  
5.24.   I would like to provide some reflections on what I believe are some important elements arising 
from this Trade Policy Review. For these reviews to be useful there should be some reinforcement 
and encouragemen t flowing from the discussion in both directions.  
5.25.   I hope that the Government of Honduras takes back the constructive feedback and critiques 
it has heard from Members regarding its trade policy and practices. I also hope that the wider 
Membership has listen ed to and reflected upon the experiences, challenges, and successes of 
Honduras.  
5.26.   Too often our conversations in the WTO are abstract and hypothetical and we lose sight that 
policymaking in the real world is extremely difficult. This review should help us w ork towards better 
and more inclusive work here to support economies like Honduras within the context and 
environment that they actually face.  
5.27.   So, from that perspective , I am very interested in the Honduran Government's concept of 
"refounding " of the natio n. Refounding implies change and dynamism, an examination of core 
priorities and the deeper purpose of those changes.  
5.28.   Honduras will continue to face multiple challenges – local and global economic challenges, as 
well as environmental, social, and health ch allenges. But Minister Cerrato  Valladares spoke about a 
process of "profound change" and engaging in an examination of how to strengthen the role of the 
state to do better for its people. This includes re -examining and re -evaluating prior decisions and 
agreements to see if they continue to work as intended. To bridge new challenges, one must reassess 
the strength of the foundations on which the forward path is laid.  
5.29.   Honduras continues to work toward s a durable long -term policy framework that includes trade 
as integral to finding solutions to pressing challenges such as income inequality, outward migration WT/TPR/M/443 • Honduras  
 
- 33 - 
 
  pressures, shallow financial markets and lack of modern, digital financial tools, and environmental 
challenges dr iven by climate change and extreme weather events.  
5.30.   Turning more directly to how trade policy fits into the framework of "refounding ", the Minister 
set out three main avenues for using trade to advance Honduras' s economic agenda – continued 
engagement at th e multilateral level, including at the WTO; robust regional integration efforts; and 
an extensive network of regional trade agreements.  
5.31.   The discussion on the first day of the meeting  confirmed the vibrancy of each of these 
avenues.  
5.32.   Members universally appl auded Honduras' s active participation in the workings of the WTO. 
This includes its support for the framework of open trade based on WTO disciplines, its support for 
joint statement initiatives, and its voice in deliberations and negotiations on important global issues 
such as agricultural trade, environment, MSMEs, investment, and ecommerce to name a few. As  well 
as bringing the much -appreciated perspective of a small economy competing in the global arena.  
5.33.   We also heard directly from Honduras' s close neigh bours  about how important Honduras is to 
regional integration efforts and how it is actively engaged in using closer trade linkages to improve 
economic activity and opportunity for its citizens. We learned of deeper engagement on customs 
clearance practice s, investment promotion, and agricultural productivity cooperation.  
5.34.   We also heard interventions which spoke to the economic linkages that have been forged 
through Honduras' s network of regional trade agreements and an interest in further deepening those 
ties in areas such as agricultural trade, including organics, investment, and increase trade in medical 
goods and vaccines.  
5.35.   So, what lessons can we draw from the discussions surrounding this review?  
5.36.   I hope we all have a deeper appreciation of the wider socio -economic context within which 
the Honduran Government is developing and implementing its trade policy objectives. I was 
encouraged to see the Government's emphasis on creating policies that address income inequality 
and promoting decent wages and fair emp loyment, supporting gender equity and women's 
advancement, sustainable environmental management including sustainable agriculture, economic 
diversification, and a market open to trade and investment.  
5.37.   I hope this Trade Policy Review will also lead to even m ore engagement by Honduras as a 
voice for social inclusion as a foundational objective of trade policy. As I noted on the first day of 
the meeting , the Cuidad  Mujer  project, which I believe started in El  Salvador and is also active in 
the Dominican  Republi c, is an excellent example of how women's economic participation and 
empowerment must be addressed holistically for it to be sustainable. I think we all could learn 
something from a deeper examination of how Honduras is approaching this challenge.  
5.38.   I would also hope that we can harness the vibrant discussion on regional integration efforts 
to enrich our work here. Regional integration has always been the incubator of ideas and solutions 
on trade issues.  
5.39.   I hope that Minister Cerrato  Valladares will depart Gen eva with a better understanding and 
appreciation of the friendship and support that Honduras has among WTO Members.  
5.40.   I hope that he also leaves with a recognition that his Government has a lot to offer to our 
discussions and deliberations, and that others h ave issued open invitations to working more closely 
with Honduras, including to help tackle common challenges.  
5.41.   Finally, I hope Honduras does find the path forward to achieve a sustainable, just, and 
balanced development with the ultimate goal of empowering  its people, its most important resource.  
  WT/TPR/M/443 • Honduras  
 
- 34 - 
 
  EUROPEAN  UNION  
5.42.   The EU would like to thank the Secretary of State of Economic Development of Honduras, 
Mr Fredis  Cerrato and Ambassador Castillo and their respective teams for engaging constructively in 
this transparency exercise and providing us with an overview of the recent trade -related 
developments in Honduras. We thank Honduras for the replies to our questions and concerns and 
we will continue to review the responses carefully. We also thank the discussa nt, Ambassador 
María Pagán for her summari zing remarks.  
5.43.   As already mentioned during the first day of this review, the EU is confident that our 
cooperation in addressing some of the current challenges regarding the investment environment in 
the electric tr ansmission systems and implementation of due diligence and sustainability 
mechanisms throughout supply chains will continue in a positive manner, accompanied by 
appropriate assistance.  
5.44.   In the WTO, the EU counts on the constructive engagement of Honduras i n the lead -up to the 
13th Ministerial Conference, including in the WTO reform discussions.  
5.45.   On behalf of the EU, I congratulate Honduras for a successful fourth  Trade Policy Review.  
UNITED  STATES  
5.46.   The United  States welcomes this opportunity to restate our a ppreciation to Minister 
Cerrato  Valladares for his stewardship of this review and for the considerable effort the Government 
of Honduras has invested in not only undertaking this review but also in supporting and enriching 
the work of the WTO across Commit tees and other activities.  
5.47.   We would also like to acknowledge the hard work and tireless efforts of the delegation from 
Honduras here today. The United  States knows well how much time and effort is required behind 
the scenes to engage in a Trade Policy Review and we sincerely appreciate the long hours you have 
undoubtedly invested in preparing for the Review and responding to the questions posed by 
Member s. 
5.48.   I would also like to thank the Minister for directly addressing our concerns in his day -two 
remarks. We greatly appreciate the attention that you have paid to this matter, not just our issues 
but the issues of many others. That was a very excellent mode l of a day -two response.  
5.49.   During the Review, w e welcomed learning from Honduras about its initiatives to improve the 
lives of its citizens and economic competitiveness through ambitious national policy plans. Honduras 
described its plans to create employmen t and new opportunities by generating jobs for young people 
and others in disadvantaged circumstances; improve access to sustainable, decent employment 
through assistance to micro businesses; and provide legal certainty in a stable environment 
conducive to  private investment and long -term economic growth. Honduras 's Report also notes that 
it seeks to create employment in both urban and rural areas that "pays fair, decent wages sufficient 
to cover basic costs and make economic revival possible ". We share Hon duras 's interest in these 
efforts and invite it to work with us at the WTO in promoting fair and decent wages, dignified work, 
and shared prosperity.  
5.50.   While the United  States appreciates that Honduras is already an active participant across 
the WTO, we enc ourage Honduras to continue to make use of WTO fora, to explore ways that trade 
can play a supporting role in addressing some of its domestic challenges.  
5.51.   On Trade Facilitation, a large number of Members highlighted Honduras 's domestic reforms 
and continue d improvements in customs modernization measures. We hope that the Trade 
Facilitation Committee remains a venue where you will share your experiences with others, including 
your regional efforts, and that together we can lead meaningful cooperative work th at supports your 
ongoing domestic reform plans.  
5.52.   We note that Honduras is an active participant in dispute settlement matters and has made 
thoughtful contributions in recent years to the discussions on dispute settlement reform . Such WT/TPR/M/443 • Honduras  
 
- 35 - 
 
  leadership and creativ ity are critical to our efforts to achieve fundamental reform of the Dispute 
Settlement System , and we welcome Honduras 's continued engagement.  
5.53.   We also encourage Honduras to expeditiously ratify the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.  
5.54.   A number of Members rai sed questions about Honduras 's efforts to tackle challenges facing 
foreign investment in Honduras. We look forward to hearing more in the future about how Honduras 
will continue to advance anticorruption practices and foster a stable business environment.  
5.55.   We thank Honduras for responding to our written questions and we will submit any follow -up 
questions according to the deadlines set.  
5.56.   In closing, we would also like to reiterate the value the United  States places on its relationship 
with Honduras, both in  our bilateral trade relations and in our cooperation here at the WTO. This 
review has highlighted that while Honduras has already contributed much to the WTO community, 
it has much more to share with Members in the future.  
5.57.   We congratulate Honduras on a s uccessful T rade Policy Review . 
  WT/TPR/M/443 • Honduras  
 
- 36 - 
 
  6  CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON  
6.1.  This fourth Trade Policy Review of Honduras was an excellent opportunity for the Membership 
to understand Honduras' s main achievements and challenges regarding its trade and related policies 
since its previous Review in 2016. I would like to thank the Honduran delegation led by 
H.E. Mr Fredis  Alonso  Cerrato  Valladares, Minister of Economic Development, for its active an d 
constructive commitment throughout the review process. I would also like to thank H.E. Ambassador 
María  Luisa Pagán of the United  States, our discussant, for her comments, which have greatly 
contributed to our two -day discussion, as have the comments and  issues raised by the 
20 delegations that took the floor during this meeting. More than 180  questions were submitted 
within the established deadline. Members greatly appreciated the written responses provided by 
Honduras and look forward to receiving outst anding replies within one month, at which time this 
review concludes.  
6.2.  Members acknowledged the resiliency of the Honduran economy and noted that it had 
recovered quickly from the pandemic and the natural disasters that took place in 2020. Members 
highlight ed that trade played a major role in Honduras' s rapid and strong recovery. Members noted 
Honduras' s greater integration into the global economy, and they stressed that regional trade 
agreements remained a key component of Honduras' s integration strategy. I n this context, some 
Members encouraged Honduras to continue its efforts at diversifying exports. Remittances, which 
in 2022 accounted for some 27% of GDP, had also greatly supported economic recovery, and were 
in general a main source to finance consumpti on. 
6.3.  Members strongly valued Honduras' s constructive engagement in the WTO, including in the 
MC12 and the reform process. They also praised Honduras strong commitment to the rules -based 
multilateral trading system. In this regard, Members looked forward to working closely with 
Honduras on joint  initiatives and other discussions to consider new trade issues. At the same time, 
a number of Members encouraged Honduras to engage further by joining the Multi -party Interim 
Appeal Arbitration Arrangement, the Government Procurement Agreement and accepti ng the 
Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.  Members appreciated Honduras' s notification record and 
encouraged efforts toward s greater transparency. Members also showed appreciation regarding 
Honduras' s measures to make trade more inclusive and sustainable. In this regard, Members 
recognized that climate change poses a major challenge to Honduras as a small, vulnerable 
economy.  
6.4.  Members appreciated Honduras' s open investment climate . They encouraged Honduras to 
continue its efforts aimed at creating a stable and  transparent business environment to attract more 
foreign investment to promote development, while some recognized challenges such as existing 
governance issues and those related to the handling of foreign investment in the special economic 
zones (ZEDES). In addition, questions were raised regarding the recent reform of the electricity 
market that some considered may restrict private participation and impede finding a solution to the 
energy crisis that continues to affect the economy.  
6.5.  Members welcomed the a doption of trade facilitation measures aimed at streamlining customs 
procedures, which reflect Honduras' s commitments under the Trade Facilitation Agreement. As at 
the time of the previous Review in 2016, Honduras was encouraged to redress those tariff rat es that 
appear to be over the bound rates. Some Members noted new requirements to import certain 
agriculture products and invited Honduras to increase transparency. Clarification on these measures' 
compliance with the Agreement on Import Licensing was soug ht. 
6.6.  Regarding other trade -related measures, some Members were of the view that efforts to 
increase transparency in government procurement would have a positive impact on economic 
development, trade, and investment.  
6.7.  Members noted that agriculture remained a key sector to GDP, contributing over 12% and to 
employment, accounting for 22% of the workforce. They welcomed Honduras' s policies aimed at 
diversification, value addition, and innovation to reduce the sector's vul nerability to climate change 
and ensure food security.  
6.8.  I would like to highlight that during this meeting, many Members extended their appreciation 
for the invaluable dedication of Ambassador Dacio  Castillo and his positive contributions made in WT/TPR/M/443 • Honduras  
 
- 37 - 
 
  leading se veral bodies in this house, especially his excellent chairmanship of the General  Council, 
which led to a critical outcome at  MC12.  
6.9.  In general, Members expressed their commitment to support Honduras' s efforts towards 
building a more inclusive, and secure so ciety, key to creating a more favourable climate to facilitate 
investment and growth.  
6.10.   To conclude, let me thank the delegation of Honduras headed by H.E.  Mr Fredis  Alonso Cerrato 
Valladares, Minister of Economic Development, both here and in capital, the discussant, all 
delegations that participated and the Secretariat for achieving a successful Trade Policy Review of  
Honduras.  
__________