Cohep

The private-sector business council says Honduras should borrow the $400 million CAF financing to strengthen the housing bank and spur construction, but opposes debt used only to cover government operating costs.

The government and private-sector leaders, including Cohep president Anabel Gallardo, have lobbied US officials to prevent tariff increases, warning that higher duties on maquila and coffee exports would cost jobs and drive migration.

COHEP is hosting a webinar on July 29 at 9:00 a.m. on commercial opportunities in Mesoamerica, aimed at helping Honduran private-sector companies explore regional competitive advantages and economic integration.

COHEP will host a webinar on July 29 at 9 a.m. on commercial opportunities in Mesoamerica, aimed at helping Honduran firms explore regional competitive advantages and integrate into an expanding trade environment.

The private-sector business council estimates that power outages—averaging 21,200 hours of unmet demand annually—cost Honduras about L1.2 billion (roughly $48 million) per year in lost productivity, equipment damage, and generator expenses, while the government pushes stalled reforms to strengthen the state electricity utility.

A Honduran business and government delegation visited Colombia's National Learning Service (SENA) to explore partnerships that would update technical training for Honduran youth and workers to match current labor-market demands.

Juliette Handal, former president of Honduras's main business council (Cohep), attributed a first-quarter decline in investment to security concerns, including gang violence and massacres, rising energy costs (set to jump 12%), and international supply-chain disruptions, all of which she said undermine investor confidence.

Honduras' external debt climbed to $9.3 billion as of March 2026, up 13.3% over two years, prompting the business council to urge the government to prioritize efficient public spending and curb excessive borrowing.

Year-over-year inflation in Honduras reached 6.09% in May, up 1.55 percentage points from a year earlier, driven mainly by rising fuel prices that accounted for nearly half the overall price increase.

A study by the Honduran private-sector council found that blackouts and electrical interruptions cost businesses approximately L1.2 billion (about $48 million) a year, with small firms hit hardest, as the government pushes energy-sector reforms.

Honduras's private sector says chronic blackouts cause direct losses exceeding 1.2 billion lempiras (about $48 million) per year in lost production, calling for structural energy reforms rather than temporary fixes.

Congress approved Decree 78-2026, extending amnesty deadlines for unpaid taxes, social-security contributions, municipal fees, and water and sanitation bills, allowing businesses and citizens to regularize outstanding obligations.

Honduras's business council endorsed the government's proposed energy reforms but called for stronger legal protections, independent regulators, and a phased breakup of the state utility ENEE to reduce technical losses and attract investment.

Honduras's private-sector council COHEP met with the Environment Ministry (SERNA) secretary and agreed on concrete steps to streamline environmental licensing, which business leaders say is currently blocking investment in the country.

Honduras's private-sector council president said a 10% U.S. tariff on Honduran goods raises export costs, undercuts competitiveness, and discourages foreign investment—including from European firms—and is pushing the government to negotiate tariff reduction or elimination.

Honduras's business council submitted proposals to modernize electricity regulations under review by Congress, urging independent regulators and stable rules to strengthen the grid and attract investment.