Honduras

1
Honduras
International Sales Close to HomeTrade
Americas Conference - DenverApril 2006
2
Honduras - Political

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

3
Honduras - Economy

• Competitive labor costs
• U.S. accounts for 50 of all foreign trade
• Maquiladora industry accounts for 15 of GDP and
  11 of exports
  
• Developing tourism Copan Ruins Bay Islands
• Dual currencies Lempira U.S. Dollar

4
Honduras - Commercial

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

5
Honduras - Challenges

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

6
Opportunities Best Prospect Industries

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

7
Central America -Regional Industry Sectors

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

• Food Processing Packaging
• Franchising
• Hotel Restaurant Equip
• Medical Equip Pharmaceuticals
• Telecom Equip Services

8
Events Central America

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

9
Central America Intl Buyer Program Events

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

10

• CONTACTS
• Central America Dan Thompson
• daniel.thompson_at_mail.doc.gov
• Costa Rica/Nicaragua Jim McCarthy
• james.mccarthy_at_mail.doc.gov
• Guatemala/Honduras Mitch Larsen
• mitch.larsen_at_mail.doc.gov
• El Salvador Mary Boscia
• mary.boscia_at_mail.doc.gov