Honduras Business News

Honduras's banking association announced that banks will operate normal hours October 5–6, close at noon October 7, and remain closed October 8–10 during the Morazán Week holiday, with digital services available throughout.

International banks and investors are showing interest in Honduras's electricity sector following approval of the Energy Justice Law, which establishes competitive bidding and auctions; the government estimates the sector needs about $6 billion in investment to modernize infrastructure and expand coverage.

Honduras's new Energy Justice Law, approved by Congress in August, has drawn interest from international financial institutions and investors who see it as a signal of transparent investment rules and modernization, with the government estimating the sector needs about $6 billion to upgrade infrastructure and expand coverage.

BAC Honduras and the OPEC Fund signed a $50 million financing agreement to expand credit access for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, with emphasis on women-led businesses and climate projects.

The Honduran Coffee Expo 2026, in its third edition, runs through September 26 in Comayagua with a focus on connecting producers, roasters, and retailers through tastings, masterclasses, a business forum, and a competitive filtering championship.

Honduran banks will close at noon on Wednesday, October 7, during Morazán Week celebrations; customers are advised to complete in-person transactions in advance but can use online banking, ATMs, and ACH transfers during the holiday.

Honduras has launched a shrimp-export initiative with China that aims to send over 100 shipping containers by year-end, projected to generate more than 350 million lempiras (about $14 million) in foreign exchange while establishing a consistent supply to the Chinese market.

Honduras's Private Sector Council (COHEP) is organizing a large job fair on October 23 in Tegucigalpa to connect employers with qualified candidates; company registration closes October 2.

Honduras's business council is backing Expo Diseñarte 2026, a two-day event on November 12–13 at the UNAH sports complex aimed at connecting creative talent in construction, design, and interiors with commercial opportunities.

COHEP's third EmpowerHer Talks forum convenes women speakers and panelists on September 24 in Tegucigalpa to share experiences, strengthen female leadership, and build professional networks.

Small business owners in three Olancho municipalities are protesting the possible opening of Chinese-owned retail stores, saying they cannot compete and fear loss of sales and income.

More than 60 families in San José de Manchaguala on El Merendón gained access to safe drinking water for the first time after Cervecería Hondureña, Coca-Cola Honduras, and the San Pedro Sula municipality inaugurated a new potable-water system.

COHEP is hosting Expo Imagen 2026 on September 24–25 at the Hotel Honduras Maya in Tegucigalpa, bringing together advertising, marketing, and creative professionals to forge business connections and brand positioning.

COHEP is hosting a virtual briefing on September 30 about the European Union's new regulation banning imports of goods made with forced labor, aimed at helping Honduran exporters comply with the requirement.

Honduras's taxi association ruled out raising fares despite higher fuel costs, instead negotiating with the government for compensatory bonuses and vehicle-gas subsidies to offset operating expenses amid competition from ride-hailing apps and illegal services.

The US Embassy in Tegucigalpa is hiring a mail-room assistant at L294,594 annually (about $11,800) with a high-school diploma, one year of customer-service or office experience, English and Spanish fluency, and a valid driver's license; applications close September 24.

The RAP retirement fund has launched a digital loyalty program allowing its 400,000+ members to access direct discounts at participating merchants by displaying a mobile QR code, now in pilot testing with selected businesses.

More than 100 Honduran shoe-manufacturing workshops risk closure due to a 5–10% rise in raw-material costs linked partly to power blackouts and rationing, threatening over 400 jobs, the industry association warned.

Honduras's National Port Authority reported 1.3 billion lempiras (about $52 million) in revenue through mid-2026, a 20% increase from the prior period, and projects year-end receipts will exceed 2 billion lempiras with investments exceeding 400 million lempiras.

BAC Honduras and the OPEC Fund for International Development signed a $50 million financing agreement to expand credit access for small and medium-sized businesses, including women-led firms, and support climate-related investments in Honduras.

Roatán is establishing a conciliation and arbitration center to offer businesses and individuals a faster, confidential alternative to court for resolving private commercial and civil disputes, including contract and property conflicts.

Five Honduran banks—Atlántida, BAC, Ficohsa, Banco de Occidente, and Banpaís—control 84.7% of the 5.75 million debit cards in circulation as of July 2026, with debit cards becoming the dominant payment method nationwide.

Over 30 Honduran companies and institutions are meeting with Louisiana business leaders, investors, and officials through September 18 to explore commercial agreements and investment opportunities across agriculture, textiles, technology, energy, and other sectors.

About 400 workers at banana farms in San Manuel, Cortés occupied company installations over wage arrears, saying they have not been paid for two and a half months and received only 50% of last week's pay from the cooperative CASMUL.

A former ENEE manager estimates the state utility's planned split into generation, transmission, and distribution subsidiaries would require up to 30 months to implement and roughly eight years to reduce electrical losses to 15%.

The Commercial Registry for Francisco Morazán will close on Monday, September 14, and Tuesday, September 15, resuming normal hours on Wednesday, September 16.

Lawmakers introduced a bill to create Procafín, a nonprofit financing mechanism that would negotiate lower-interest loans for coffee farmers and reduce reliance on informal lending, funded by a per-sack export contribution.

Honduras is adopting artificial intelligence in industry but remains behind regional peers due to gaps in infrastructure and advanced skills, with companies using AI mainly for automation of physical tasks rather than complex model development.

Honduras's banks will close their branches on September 15 for Independence Day, but customers can conduct transactions through digital channels and alternative services, the banking association said.

Honduras's national employment service will hold a job fair on September 10 in San Pedro Sula, offering positions in cleaning, logistics, sales, security, construction, healthcare, and technical fields.