Honduran business leaders promote investment opportunities at Chicago & San Jose seminars

As part of its campaign to position Honduras as an excellent location for U.S. companies to invest in and conduct business, the Honduran Foundation for the Promotion of Investments and Exports, FIDE, will hold two free seminars in the United States this month.

In Chicago, the World Trade Center Illinois and FIDE will host a seminar from 8:00 AM-Noon Friday, June 26, in the Burnham Room, 22nd Floor, World Trade Center Illinois, 200 East Randolph Street.

In San Jose, the Greater San Jose Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and FIDE will host a seminar form 6:30 AM to 10:00 AM on Monday, June 29, at the Capital Club, 50 West Fernando Street, 17th Floor.

FIDE Executive Vice President Antonio Young, Honduran Ambassador Roberto Flores Bermudez and Honduran business executives Jacobo Kattán and Richard Zablah will discuss a wide range of investment and commercial opportunities in such sectors as light manufacturing, textile manufacturing, services (including call centers, contact centers, business processing outsourcing, and telemarketing), hospitality and tourism, and agribusiness and food processing in Honduras.

Dr. Richard Zablah is CEO of Grupo Zeta, a group of companies that services the food and restaurant industry.  He founded the Honduran Stock Exchange, is a founding member of the National Exporters Association (ANEXHON) and FIDE and a former director of the Honduras Social Security system. Throughout his career, Zablah has promoted Honduran laws that have enhanced the country’s business climate and promoted international trade.

Jacobo Kattán is chairman of Kattán Group, one of the most important family enterprises in Honduras which since its founding in 1920 has played a pioneer role in the country’s economic, political and social development.  Kattán is director of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Cortes, Business Council for Sustainable Development (CEHDES), and Honduran Fund for Tourism Investment (FHIT); president of the Central American-Dominican Association of Textiles and Clothing; and a member of the Latin America Business Council (CEAL-Honduras).

Located in the heart of The Americas, Honduras has had a stable, democratic government for more than 25 years.  The country’s large labor force comprises industrious, highly skilled and literate young workers, with a significant portion proficient in English due to Honduras’ having the most bilingual schools in Central America.

Home to some of the world’s most modern food processing plants, Honduras enjoys a year-round growing season and increasingly diversified agriculture. 

 With industrial and business parks providing services to businesses throughout the country, a TSA-certified deep water port on the Atlantic, competitive wages, and nationwide Free Trade Zones, Honduras is becoming the export hub of Central America.

A prime destination for eco- and geo-tourism, Honduras is experiencing the highest growth rates for travel and tourism in the region.  It is the only Central American country with attractions in six key areas:  Mayan archeology, beaches, colonial architecture, diverse cultures, coral reef diving, and nature.

FIDE is a private, non-profit organization that works with the government and other private institutions in Honduras to improve the nation’s business climate and promote foreign direct investment and exports.