Conclusion of Canada-Honduras free trade negotiations

Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the President of Honduras, Porfirio Lobo, announced the conclusion of negotiations toward a Canada-Honduras free trade agreement.

Canada and Honduras agreed to launch bilateral negotiations in October 2010. Officials from the two countries met in Ottawa in December 2010, in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, in February 2011, and again in Ottawa in July 2011 to advance discussions.

Honduras offers promising opportunities for Canadian businesses. In 2010, two-way merchandise trade between Canada and Honduras totalled $192 million.

Canadian exports to Honduras totalled $40.8 million and consisted mainly of fertilizers, machinery and dye. Canadian merchandise imports from Honduras totalled $151.2 million, consisting mainly of fruits, and knit and woven apparel.

Canadian companies active in Honduras are involved in the apparel, mining and manufacturing sectors, among other areas.

The free trade agreement, including parallel agreements on labour standards and practices, and environmental protection, will come into force once both countries complete their domestic ratification processes.