Honduras Business News

Economic Development Minister Eddy Ordóñez said the government is shifting from steep fines to warnings and guidance for small businesses, has conducted over 1,500 compliance trainings, and expects to announce a manufacturing-sector expansion creating more than 1,600 jobs.

Honduras's Health Ministry is now requiring sellers of used clothing to obtain a sanitary license, a new requirement that traders say costs about 21,000 lempiras (roughly $840) and must be completed within three days, raising concerns among small vendors who previously faced no such mandate.

Documents and complaints allege that Honduras's agricultural development bank improperly awarded loans tied to sports teams, raising concerns about nepotism and potential fraud in the lending process.

A power cut in Catacamas, Olancho, triggered by a possum hitting electrical lines, shut down oxygen pumps and killed about 5,500 pounds of tilapia in two ponds, costing entrepreneur Johnny Flores over L300,000 (about $12,000) in losses.

The National Chamber of Tourism is calling for reforms to Honduras's part-time employment law, which caps hours at 18–32 per week and restricts hiring for seasonal peaks when hotels and restaurants need the most flexibility.

The Municipal Cadastre office in Tegucigalpa has run out of security paper needed to issue property-value certificates, blocking real-estate transactions that banks require to complete sales.

Honduran cacao is gaining international traction, with Switzerland and the United States among its largest buyers; Allen González, founder of Avenida Cacao, says better use of trade agreements could boost chocolate exports and create jobs for rural farmers and small processors.

President Asfura unveiled the Portal Único de Comercio de Honduras (PUCH), a digital platform that consolidates foreign-trade procedures across nine institutions to reduce export costs and timelines and attract investment.

A new executive decree prohibits the importation of merchandise produced in whole or part through forced or compulsory labor, requiring businesses to verify international suppliers meet labor standards and strengthen due-diligence practices.

Honduras's telecommunications regulator launched a spectrum auction for three 20 MHz blocks in the 1700/2100 MHz band, with bidding on August 26 at $8 million per block, aimed at expanding 4G coverage and preparing infrastructure for future 5G deployment.

Honduras's banking sector and the government announced a new housing finance program targeting families earning less than two minimum wages, combining Banhprovi funds with private bank credit to expand access to affordable homes.

Transport operators in Roatán are calling for stricter enforcement against illegal surcharges, unlicensed vehicles, and drivers ignoring set fares, with the Transport Council president citing persistent night-time overcharging and planning a visit from the national transport institute next month.

Ookla's Speedtest data for January–June 2026 ranked Cable Color the fastest fixed broadband network in Honduras for the third consecutive year, and the company also leads in Guatemala, El Salvador, and Costa Rica.

The state power utility reports daily losses of L40 million (about $1.6 million) while Congress delays approval of an energy law overhaul that officials say is needed to improve efficiency, attract investment, and reduce the company's mounting debt.

Próspera BioHUB signed a partnership with Merck Life Science, and researchers from Stanford, Harvard, Navarra, and UNAH convened at Honduras's First International Medical Encounter.

Cheetah Research AI, an artificial-intelligence research tool developed by the Honduran firm Marketing Total, was chosen by Greenbook to showcase at its 2026 Insights Tech Summit, marking recognition of Honduras-based technical innovation competing at international standards.

Honduras's banking regulator has ordered banks to equip affiliated merchants with mobile point-of-sale terminals to accept credit and debit card payments in person.

The United Nations in Honduras is recruiting for eight positions in Tegucigalpa, including HR assistant, driver, data analyst, and agricultural specialists, with application deadlines from July 27 to August 5.

Honduran onion growers met with the Agriculture Ministry to press for relief from imports they say threaten local planting and supply.

The Part-Time Employment Law, enacted in March 2026 and intended to create 250,000 jobs, has produced only 60 registered contracts so far, prompting business groups to seek reforms before the year-end holiday season; the Labor Secretary attributes slow uptake to widespread labor informality.

Qarim Qubain, president of the Cortés Chamber of Commerce and Industry, says Congress needs more time to build consensus on controversial energy reforms, warning that prolonged electricity costs are driving away business investment.

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.

The president of the Cortés Chamber of Commerce warns that crime and weak rule of law are deterring both foreign and domestic companies from investing, expanding operations, and creating jobs in Honduras.

Honduras's tax authority (SAR) has activated mandatory electronic generation of the FYDUCA payment voucher, the customs fiscal document users must now generate and download through SAR's online system.

The fourth annual Expo Comayagua 2026, organized by the Comayagua Chamber of Commerce, features 29 vendors, business networking sessions, masterclasses, and food tastings designed to foster commercial partnerships and strengthen enterprise connections.

Honduran coffee, cacao, and cashew-producer organizations completed a July 15–16 workshop in Choluteca on export procedures and EU deforestation regulations, with EU funding and university support to help them meet international market requirements.

Honduras contracted with German company Tönnjes for $65 million to manufacture 2.9 million vehicle license plates through 2030, clearing a backlog of nearly one million vehicles still using temporary paper permits.

Honduras's maritime authority announced job openings across multiple departments—deck, security, engineering, technical services, IT, and administration—for Hondurans to work on international cruise ships, with applications due by July 17.

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.

Coffee industry leader Fredy Pastrana warned that Honduras must accelerate compliance with the European Union's deforestation regulation before the new coffee year begins, noting the country is advancing geolocation of farms and market standards to maintain access to a key export market.