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The creation of the Cámara de Industria, Comercio y Turismo Honduras-El Salvador (CICOTURHSAL) aims to strengthen bilateral business ties, expand investment opportunities, and facilitate trade between the two nations, a relationship valued at nearly US$1.8 billion annually. This new business organization will serve as a platform to connect companies from both countries, identify market opportunities, and foster growth across various productive sectors.
The entity, which originated as a non-profit private-sector initiative, was officially unveiled with the participation of business leaders from both Honduras and El Salvador. At its launch, it comprises 25 founding members and a board of directors chaired by businessman Benito Zelaya, of the law firm Lexincorp. Its establishment reflects a desire to capitalize on existing trade flows and create new prospects for companies looking to expand their operations in both markets.
El Salvador’s Ambassador to Honduras, Jorge Umaña, who attended the launch as an honorary witness, explained that the Chamber intends to transform current trade into a more dynamic engine for economic development. Under the motto “Connecting businesses. Integrating markets. Generating opportunities”, the organization will seek to foster connections among entrepreneurs, promote commercial alliances, and open doors for new business ventures.
According to Umaña, trade between Honduras and El Salvador reaches nearly US$1.8 billion per year, making Honduras the second-largest trading partner for El Salvador within Central America. He further noted that the salvadoran market is one of the most established and strategic export destinations for the Honduran industry, underscoring the economic importance of maintaining and expanding ties between the two nations.
The goods exchanged include agro-industrial products, textile manufactures, pharmaceuticals, and consumer items. These sectors represent opportunities for companies to expand their sales, diversify their markets, and strengthen their supply and distribution chains. The new Chamber aims to facilitate connections between companies interested in establishing commercial relationships and exploring new avenues for growth.
Another objective of CICOTURHSAL is to support the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in both countries. The organization intends to connect them with business opportunities in the neighboring market, facilitate professional contacts, and promote greater participation by this segment in regional trade through a platform designed to identify potential clients and strategic partners.
Tourism is also among the economic opportunities that the new entity seeks to promote. According to Ambassador Umaña, there is a growing flow of visitors between the two countries, supported by a diverse range of tourism offerings. This movement creates opportunities for businesses in sectors such as hospitality, dining, transportation, services, and recreational activities, while also helping to stimulate local economies.
With the launch of this Chamber, the business sectors of Honduras and El Salvador will have a new framework for cooperation to strengthen commercial ties, encourage investment, and expand the presence of their products and services in both markets. The initiative aims to leverage existing economic exchange, valued at nearly US$1.8 billion annually, and generate new growth opportunities for companies in both nations.
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