Honduras signs agreements with China for three projects

Photo: Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores y Cooperación Internacional.

According to a report by SUMMA magazine, this Monday, March 24, the People’s Republic of China and Honduras signed a note exchange for the implementation of a preparatory technical study on three assistance projects in the areas of agriculture and health. The agreement was signed in Tegucigalpa by the Chinese ambassador to Honduras, Yu Bo, and the Honduran foreign minister, Eduardo Enrique Reina.  

Through a statement, the Honduran Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that, as part of these projects, the country will receive tools for agricultural pruning, solar dryers for coffee cultivation, and a total of 298 ambulances. Minister Reina highlighted that the ambulances will be distributed to each municipality in the country, strengthening the healthcare system. He also stated that this note exchange reinforces President Xiomara Castro’s project for the construction of eight new hospitals in the country.  

For his part, Ambassador Yu Bo emphasized that this agreement is “further proof of the positive results of our cooperation efforts and the tangible benefits we are achieving, especially on the eve of the second anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Honduras.” He also reaffirmed the People’s Republic of China’s commitment to supporting the Honduran government and accompanying it on its path toward economic development.  

This agreement was signed two days before the second anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations, which began on March 26, 2023. It is expected that the agricultural pruning equipment will begin operating in 15 of the country’s 18 departments, creating approximately 10,000 temporary jobs and significantly benefiting local producers.  

On the other hand, after two years of diplomatic relations, shrimp exports to China have not yet reached the expected volumes, causing concern among Honduran producers. However, Minister Reina defended the Asian country, highlighting that China acted quickly in opening its market to Honduran shrimp with appropriate phytosanitary measures.  

Additionally, the minister pointed out that both nations have already signed an early harvest agreement, allowing Honduran shrimp to enter the Chinese market tariff-free, increasing profitability for producers. He also mentioned that efforts are being made to reduce export costs and enhance the competitiveness of the product, especially against Ecuador, which offers lower prices.  

Furthermore, it is important to highlight the latest agreement between the Honduran government and several Chinese companies, through which they agreed on the export of 10,000 tons of Honduran coffee to China. Regarding this, Minister Reina stated that Honduran coffee has been well received in the Chinese market.  

Similarly, various Honduran products have successfully entered the People’s Republic of China. Among them, melon has already received phytosanitary authorization, along with tobacco.  

Last but not least, Minister Reina emphasized that trade relations with China are progressing positively and that cooperation efforts between both nations have been strengthened. He also compared current exports with those previously made to Taiwan, highlighting that in these two years of relations with the People’s Republic of China, Honduran exports have increased by 30%.

Main Source:

Honduras y China suscriben acuerdo para tres proyectos de ayuda al país centroamericano – Revista Summa

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