INVEST IN HONDURAS

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•	Honduras is in the heart of the Americas
•	Only two hours by air and 48 to 72 hours by sea to the U.S.
•	Near the manufacturing centers of North America and the largest market in the world.
•	Honduras serves as a distribution platform of Central America.
•	Among the lowest logistical costs in the region. Back

•	Puerto Cortés, Central America’s only deep water port, one the most important in the region, the first in Latin America to be certified in both the U.S. government’s Container Security Initiative (CSI) and in its Megaports Initiative.
•	Ongoing rapid improvement and expansion of the country’s physical and communications infrastructure.
•	Privatization of the telecommunications sector and the full opening of the energy sector have attracted investors and improved services.
•	Honduras’ six seaports on its two coasts -- five ports on the Caribbean (Puerto Cortés, Tela, La Ceiba, Puerto Castillo and Roatán) and one on the Pacific (Amapala) -- provide ocean access to markets worldwide.
•	More than 120 companies, mostly involved in light assembly, operate in Private Industrial Parks, an industrial model which has run successfully for more than 20 years
•	Free Zones, enjoying tax-exempt status in many categories, can be established anywhere in the country.
•	Construction of the Inter-Oceanic Corridor will improve the connection between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans via an excellent highway

Puerto Cortés is the only deep water port in Central America, and one of the region's largest and best equipped:

The only port in Latin America to qualify for both U.S. government port security initiatives, the Container Security Initiative (CSI) and its Megaports Initiative.
With 24-hour service, modern roll-on and roll-off and containerized facilities.
With sophisticated container-handling equipment ensuring efficiency and competitive shipping costs to the U.S.
With shorter screening times and procedures.

Honduras is governed by a democratic system with solid institutions, a transparent legal system, and political and social stability since 1980
Laws that protect and promote foreign investment provide export-oriented companies fiscal and legal incentives highly favorable to investment
Permanent tax exemption in several categories
Any part of Honduras can be an Industrial Processing Zone/Free Zone where companies are exempt of all taxes

A young work force composed of more than 2 million Hondurans between the ages of 18 and 35.
10 universities throughout the country that graduate educated professionals.
Among the lowest labor costs in the region.
Availability of qualified bilingual personnel, a product of more than 150 bilingual institutions, many of them certified by the Southern Association of Colleges and Universities of the United States.
The availability of young technicians trained at local institutions, including the new regional textile university in San Pedro Sula which will soon offer training in electronics
A multitude of training programs provided to employees by their companies

Honduras is an integral partner in the North American manufacturing system, thanks to CAFTA-DR and other trade agreements
Free-trade agreements with the U.S., Mexico, Japan, Canada, Australia, Dominican Republic and the Central American Integration System (SICA)
Negotiations for free-trade status are underway with the European Union

In traditional sectors, such as agriculture, textiles and tourism
In value-added industries, including agribusiness, sustainable tourism, light manufacturing and business services
A flexible manufacturing sector, capable of exporting in varying scales, supported by a favorable tax and customs code
A growing services sector
A tourism sector that attracts international travelers
A forestry industry that supplies a wide variety of non-traditional wood species
32 million hectares (80 million survey acres) at highly competitive prices, with diverse climates and a large potential for low irrigation agriculture