Honduras Business News

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 fisheries authority reached agreements with the fishing industry to resume lobster operations in the Bay Islands and allow 109 vessels to fish while their license renewals are pending, while establishing a working group to study unifying closure seasons for lobster, conch, and sea cucumber.

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.

German business leaders met with President Nasry Asfura and Foreign Minister Mireya Agüero, announcing plans for an official visit to Honduras within 12 months to explore closer economic ties and potential investments.

Some Honduran businesses are being fined for playing music without copyright permits, prompting Congressman Rashid Mejía to question whether the enforcement unfairly burdens entrepreneurs while artists' royalty rights remain contested.

Honduras's state power utility is issuing bonds in the national financial system to raise liquidity and settle accumulated debts to electricity generators, officials say, aiming to ensure uninterrupted power supply.

Cardamom production in Honduras is projected to reach approximately 100,000 quintals this year for export, primarily to Saudi Arabia and other international markets.

The Cortés Chamber of Commerce and Industry president said Expoproducción and a business roundtable scheduled for next month are projected to generate at least 26 million lempiras (about $1 million) in commercial transactions, bringing together entrepreneurs, producers, and investors.

Karim Qubain, president of the Honduran Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIC), warned that ongoing land invasions in rural and urban areas undermine legal security and discourage job-creating investment, calling on the government to expand social programs and job opportunities.

Honduras's apparel-manufacturing sector has created roughly 2,000 new jobs in recent months and reported fewer mass layoff announcements, though unions warn that thousands remain jobless and call for dialogue to accelerate rehiring.

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.

Over 14,100 manzanas of land in coastal Cortés and Atlántida are disputed by invasions that advocacy groups say cost the economy roughly $15 million a month and deter foreign investment.

Lobster fishermen warned they will occupy Puerto Cortés and La Ceiba ports unless the government by June 15 unifies closure seasons for lobster, conch, and sea cucumber, and forgives debts from licensing and canon fees that they say crippled the industry last season.

A delegation linked to Bahrain's royal family is evaluating investments in Honduras worth $1–2 billion, focusing on pharmaceutical manufacturing, hospital modernization, independent fuel production, and digital connectivity infrastructure.

Honduras's main port expects to handle nearly 900,000 containers in 2026, underscoring its strategic importance to national and regional trade.

Honduras's Supreme Court ruled 8–7 in favor of the state power utility ENEE, blocking a $11.9 million payment owed to private electricity company Hidrocel in a civil dispute that dates back to 2019.

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.

The Honduran private sector, through FEDECAMARA, has presented President Nasry Juan Asfura with a nine-point policy agenda covering administrative simplification and workforce development, aimed at improving the country's investment climate and decentralizing economic growth.

Total trade between the United Kingdom and Honduras reached $298.4 million in 2025—a 26% increase over 2024—with Honduras running a strong surplus as its seafood and other exports to the UK totaled $248.4 million, the UK ambassador said during a visit to Tegucigalpa.

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.

Representatives of corporations linked to Bahrain's royal family visited Honduras to explore up to $2 billion in projects spanning a pharmaceutical plant, oil refinery, and e-visa system, potentially creating 1,000 jobs in the initial phase.

Honduras is hosting the VIII International Forum of Securities Market Issuers of the Americas (FIMVA 2026) in San Pedro Sula, which the private sector says offers opportunities to connect local firms with Latin American financial leaders and develop the national capital market.