Belize and Honduras Explore New Trade Deal During PM Briceño’s Visit

Meanwhile, during Prime Minister John Briceño’s recent official state visit to Honduras, talks were initiated with the Honduran government to explore establishing a bilateral Partial Scope Agreement. Building on Belize’s trade arrangements with Guatemala and its recently signed Partial Scope Agreement with El Salvador, the proposed deal aims to further expand market access for Belizean exports across Central America. Beyond trade, the bilateral talks between Prime Minister Briceño and Honduran President Nasry Asfura covered regional security, improved air connectivity, and a proposed health initiative that would grant Belizean healthcare workers access to specialist training and residency programs in Honduras. Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Chief Executive Officer, Ambassador Oscar Arnold, addressed the economic and strategic rationale behind launching trade talks with Honduras during the visit.

Oscar Arnold, CEO, Ministry of Foreign Affairs: “We pitched the position that we would want to start discussions to see where that can lead in so far as having some level, some sort of partial scope agreement when it comes to commerce and trade.”

Reporter:  Do we have anything be it informal or formal with them currently?

Oscar Arnold, CEO, Ministry of Foreign Affairs: “I do believe that we have some companies who their major shareholders may be in Honduras. I know that we also spoke about the possibility of tourism. I mean, Roatan is a destination that’s well known. They speak a form of Creole, very similar to ours. Nice beaches, good fishing. They also have some very good inland tours as well. And so we spoke about the air connectivity. At one time that was there and so we’re looking at that again to see how we could collaborate on those issues. But again, the main thing was to try to create and kind of reinvigorate that bilateral cooperation that we have with Honduras.”

The bilateral talks were held while Belize serves as the Pro Tempore President of the Central American Integration System (SICA). The Belizean delegation in Tegucigalpa included Prime Minister Briceño, CEO Arnold, Health and Wellness Minister Kevin Bernard, Office of the Prime Minister CEO Narda Garcia, Ministry of Health CEO Dr. Julio Sabido, and Belize’s Honorary Consul in Tegucigalpa, Richard Vinelli Reisman.