Bcie

Honduras and El Salvador launched a 25-company binational chamber to connect buyers, suppliers, and investors and facilitate cross-border trade and investment between the two markets.

The Central American Bank for Economic Integration (BCIE) received an upgraded credit rating of AA with positive outlook from Fitch Ratings, joining three other major agencies in the AA category and bolstering the multilateral lender's capacity to raise funds for regional development.

S&P Global Ratings confirmed the Central American Bank for Economic Integration's long-term credit rating at AA+ with a stable outlook, citing strong capital contributions from member countries, controlled administrative costs, and prudent balance-sheet management through pioneering exposure-swap agreements.

The Central American Bank for Economic Integration increased the availability of its data to the public from 30% to 70%, expanding transparency and citizen access to information across the region.

Dante Mossi, former BCIE president, called on Congress to review how the government has spent 2026 funds and clarify priorities before approving the 455-billion-lempira (about $18.2 billion) 2027 budget, citing concerns over electricity costs, health-sector management, and diesel inflation.

Honduras registered a 5.83% annual inflation rate in June, the highest in Central America, with economist Dante Mossi warning that subsidy removals and price increases are pushing the poor toward extreme hardship and reducing consumer spending.

Former BCIE president Dante Mossi said Honduras's first-quarter GDP growth of 3.6% was the slowest in Central America, warning that only countries growing above 6% can effectively reduce poverty, and urging the government to support small business, construction, and agriculture.

The Central American Bank for Economic Integration approved a historic capital increase from $7 billion to $10 billion to strengthen its ability to finance major development projects across the region and expand its global influence.

Former Central American Bank president Dante Mossi says Honduras has approved no projects from a $1.6 billion (43 billion lempira) development portfolio offered by the regional bank this year, contrasting with Nicaragua and El Salvador's active borrowing for infrastructure projects.