Presentation by H.E. Ambassador Ivan Romero-Martinez to
the Conservative Foreign and Commonwealth Council
Portcullis House, London, 26 September 2011
Chairman, Sir Ronald Halstead,
Members of the Council,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
First of all, allow me to thank you for the kind invitation to
come today and give you a short presentation about the
Republic of Honduras.
As you are all aware there exist very strong commercial,
political and historical relationships between the United
Kingdom and Honduras. Please allow me to briefly give you
some general information on my country.
Honduras has everything it takes to drive and sustain a
strong tourism industry, and while some enterprising
investors are identifying these opportunities, the demand
will increase sharply very soon.
The Honduran government demonstrated its strong support
for the industry by enacting a tourism incentives law
eliminating income taxes and tariffs on new tourism
projects. Miles of virginal white-sand beaches, breath-taking
reef diving and snorkeling, renowned Mayan archaeology,
historic colonial cities, thriving indigenous cultures, and
tropical rain forests appeal to visitors looking for an unusual
experience in a virtually unexplored land. Investors looking
for tourism development opportunities in Central America’s
fastest growing tourist destination won’t have to look far.
Visitors interested in world-class diving and pristine
beaches can find it all only two hours away on Honduras’
Bay Islands. Each of the three islands, Roatan, Guanaja, and
Utila, has its own distinct character and appeal for tourism
hospitality development. The islands are one of the premier
diving and snorkeling locations on the globe, with easy
access to the mesoamerican reef, the second largest coral
reef in the world, and its amazingly diverse marine life.
Cultural explorers seeking a glimpse of the ancient world
will find a treasure trove in the ruins of Copan, located in far
western Honduras. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Copan is
one of the great Mayan city-states and is often referred to as
the Paris of the Mayan world.
It boasts the largest collections of Mayan hieroglyphic
inscriptions and stone monuments and some of the finest
pre-Columbian archeology in the world.
Honduras’ abundant natural preserves enchant the world’s
most adventurous eco-and geo-tourists.La Mosquitia, a
region of mangrove swamps and tropical rainforests on
Honduras’ north coast, is home to the most diverse range of
indigenous groups in Central America. The Garifuna, Miskito,
Paya and Sumo Indians all call La Mosquitia home. White
water rafting, jungle hikes and stunning waterfalls are only a
few of the delights that await visitors to this remote region.
Nestled in the rainforest is another UNESCO World Heritage
site, Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve, which is being
considered for the New 7 Wonders of Nature designations.
The second largest national park in Honduras, Pico Bonito,
offers many attractions. In addition to tackling white water
kayaking and rafting, visitors can walk among the clouds in
the park’s cloud forest. Pico Bonito is also home to diverse
wildlife, offering hikers and photographers countless
opportunities to view a variety of animals including jaguars,
lapirs, pumas, and both white-faced and spider monkeys.
From Tilapia to Jalapeño Peppers and Oriental Vegetables,
the Climate in Honduras is Just Right for Agribusiness
Investment. The country’s year-round tropical growing range
of products -- milk and dairy products, fish and shrimp, a
wide variety of fruits and vegetables, sugar, cocoa, and
coffee. Agribusiness and related sectors represent 40
percent of the country’s GDP. Low cost of land, competitive
wage rates, accessibility to fresh fruits and vegetables and
100 percent of processed foods, availability of a highly
trained and skilled work force, government incentives, make
Honduras ripe with commercial agriculture opportunities.
Great investment potential has been identified in seafood,
fish, fruit and vegetables. Products traveling by sea make
the journey in just two days from Honduras’ deepwater port
of Puerto Cortes – the largest and best equipped port in
Central America with fast and efficient process, taking only
48 seconds per container.
Agribusinesses can look to one of the best agricultural
schools in the world, Zamorano, located just south of the
capitol city of Tegucigalpa, for a highly trained and
competitive workforce. Students travel from around the
Americas to study at Zamorano where they learn all aspects
of agricultural production, and more than 35 ministers of
agriculture have graduated from this highly regarded school.
In addition to the outstanding workforce, Zamorano also
provides research assistance to companies just setting
down roots in Honduras as well as to those already
established in the country. Agribusinesses that are thriving
in the Honduran market include Saint Peter Fish, Unilever,
Cargill, Mount Dora Farms and SAB-Miller.
From laser-guided measurements for custom clothing to
facilities that produce wiring harnesses for cars, Honduras
is in perfect position for light manufacturing. Manufacturers
and processors in Honduras can take advantage of the
country's deepwater port of Puerto Cortes.
As Central America's largest and best equipped port, it is
one of Honduras' most valuable resources. Located on the
Caribbean Sea, Puerto Cortes has earned the U.S.
government's Container Security Initiative (CSI) and
Megaport certifications. It is the only port in the Western
Hemisphere to have the Secure Freight Initiative (SFI),
meaning all containers passing through the port - 100
percent - are scanned by U.S. Customs officials in Honduras
and the United States.
Electricity rates in Honduras are among the most
competitive in the region, approximately 9 cents to 13 cents
per kw/hr for industrial and commercial use. Electricity and
privately generated thermal energy are abundant
nationwide, and the government is investing to increase
generating capacity. Manufacturing and textile production
companies starting up in Honduras can find highly trained
workers at the Instituto Politécnico Centroamericano (IPC).
This technical school in Honduras' second largest city, San
Pedro Sula, is recognized for the high caliber of its
graduates as well as its many resources for companies in
the country.
The school has worker training contracts with a number of
companies to ensure that workers are kept abreast of new
developments and technology in their fields. International
manufacturers in Honduras include Lear, FCI, Novem,
Delfingen Sofanou, VF Corporation, Unilever, Hanes, and
Gildan.
Newly Liberalized Telecommunications Network Places
Honduras' Service Sector in Perfect Position for Growth.
Service companies looking to set up operations in a country
with an energetic, young, educated, bilingual workforce
should set their sights on Honduras. The country boasts a
young population - nearly one-third between 18 and 35 years
of age - with a strong technical aptitude and access to the
largest number of bilingual schools in Central America.
English is the second most widely spoken language after
Spanish, and many people in the country are bilingual.
Approximately 97 percent of the bilingual population has a
general knowledge of information technology and
communication technology. Call centers, back office
operators and other service providers have a large pool of
potential employees from which to choose from.
Honduras has become Central America’s apparel production
center due to the many advantages it offers. Today, it is the
third largest worldwide clothing supplier to the U.S. market,
and number one in the region and the Caribbean. It has
further strengthened its position by implementing the Full
Package concept, whereby items are manufactured in their
entirety in the country, from the cloth, to the buttons, and
packaging under international brand names. Along these
lines, this sector offers business opportunities to efficient
suppliers, be they small or medium companies, that can
interact among themselves to produce great added-value.
Honduras is a member of the United Nations, the World
Trade Organization (WTO), the Organization of American
States (OAS), the Central American Parliament (PARLACEN),
the Central American Integration System (SICA), the
Conference of Central American Armed Forces (CFAC), and
the Central American Security Commission (CASC).
Honduras is also a signatory to the Rio Pact, and a member
of the Central American Defense Council (CONDECA). During
1995-96, Honduras--a founding member of the United
Nations--served as a nonpermanent member of the UN
Security Council for the first time. Honduras is a party to all
UN and OAS counterterrorism conventions and protocols.
Based here in the United Kingdom Honduras is an active
member of the International Coffee Organization, the
International Maritime Organization, the International Sugar
Organization, the International Grains Organization and
several others that together formulate policies to analyze
and improve global issues.
Honduras is a strong proponent of Central American
cooperation and integration, and is working toward the
implementation of a regional customs union and Central
American passport, which would ease border controls and
tariffs among Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and El
Salvador.
As many of you know, in May 2010 after long negotiations a
Partnership Agreement Central America – European Union
was signed during the Madrid Summit. This Partnership
Agreement enters into force in November 2011. This
agreement is based on four main objectives: 1) Strengthen
and consolidate the relations of mutual respect between the
Parts , 2) Developing a privileged political association based
on values, principles and common objectives , 3) Increasing
biregional cooperation to promote political and economic
development in both regions , and 4) Respecting and
promoting the agreed.
Under these four objectives we can highlight the following:
1. The creation of a free trade area by progressive
liberation of trade barriers to commerce
2. The strengthening and expansion of existing
cooperation
3. The fortification of social cohesion and regional
integration
On November 29, 2009, Hondurans elected Porfirio “Pepe”
Lobo as President in a previously scheduled free and fair
election that attracted broad voter participation. Lobo
received the largest number of votes for a presidential
candidate in Honduran history.
President Lobo was sworn in on January 27, 2010. After
assuming office, Lobo formed a government of national unity
and convened a truth commission, as set forth in the
Tegucigalpa-San Jose Accord. Zelaya returned to Honduras
on May 28, 2011, paving the way for the country’s return to
participation in the OAS on June 1, 2011.
Since taking office, the administration under President Lobo
Sosa has never stopped working in conjunction with the
international community to reestablish all diplomatic
relations with countries and strengthen Honduras’s position
in the global arena.
Just two days ago President Porfirio Lobo delivered his
intervention at the General Assembly of the United Nations.
It is my pleasure to inform this Council the following:
The United Nations is still the best venue for efforts to
further the well-being of humanity, adding that all peoples
had a right to their own territories and traditions.
In this context, Honduras has recognized Palestine as a
State and looks forward to a negotiated settlement of the
Middle East conflict on the basis of the two-State solution,
corresponding to the needs of the two peoples involved.
He recalled that Honduras has experienced its own
deterioration in human rights after the events of 2009,
President Lobo reaffirmed that his administration is focused
on consolidating peace on the basis of social justice and a
stronger democracy. He thanked the leaders of Colombia
and Venezuela for their help in ensuring the return of
Honduras to the Organization of American States, and said
that inclusive dialogue was now taking place to allow all
groups to participate in reforms for a better future.
The Secretariat of Justice and Human Rights has advised on
that process, and Honduras now has a national action plan
on human rights. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission
has completed its tasks and presented its recommendations
to ensure that the disruption of human rights would never be
repeated.
Regarding the global economic and financial crisis,
President Lobo has said that all sectors have been
consulted on the creation of a national plan for equitable
economic growth, salaries and productivity. Widespread
reform of the education system and the provision of equal
opportunities for all were also priorities.
In addition, a family help programme hoping to reach about
half of the country’s families by 2012, and a nutritionassistance
programme is also under way.
As for sustainable development, Honduras is currently
involved in shark-preservation program and had signed
instruments on reducing global warming and controlling
chemical products.
The President has expressed support for all measures to
preserve the global environment based on the Rio principles,
he has called on the United Nations to expand those
principles to better serve the needs of the world’s
populations, including indigenous peoples and those of
African descent, adding, in that regard, that Honduras has
ratified the International Convention on the Elimination of All
Forms of Racial Discrimination and celebrated the
international commemorations instituted for people of
African descent. He also has called for a decade dedicated
to indigenous peoples, and for a permanent forum for African
peoples within the United Nations.
One of the biggest challenges facing Central America is
insecurity due to drugs and organized crime. The economy
of Honduras has been seriously harmed and are posing a
serious threat to the population, society and development.
Much of this activity is related to drugs, and the subregion’s
countries are investing large sums in combating their
production and supply.
Dear members of the Council, it has been for me an honor to
update you on the situation of my country and before I open
for questions I kindly put forward an urgent and most
needed request.
It would be very beneficial to form a delegation of this house
and make an official visit to my Congress and have open
discussions on matters that in which Honduras and the
United Kingdom can work on together for the wellbeing of
our people.
Thank you.