Central America's chambers of commerce requested the European Union to recognize the elections in Honduras, in order to resume negotiations for an association agreement.
At a meeting in San José, Costa Rica, the Federation of Chambers of Commerce of the Central American Isthmus (Fecamco), "unanimously endorsed Honduras' elections" and asked the European Union to recognize them.
The political crisis in Honduras didn't damage business as much as it was expected, evidencing that Central America is more integrated economically than politically.
Two elements contributed to keeping borders open to trade: Honduras central location in the region, and the diversification and growth experienced by intra-regional commerce in the past few years.
Costa Rica's Commerce Ministry is proposing a change in the rules, in order to close the agreement without Honduras.
So far, Europe's stance has been to put the process on hold until the Honduran crisis is resolved with the restitution of deposed president Manuel Zelaya, an event that may never occur. If the winner of the planned elections in Honduras is not recognized, the Association Agreement with Europe could be postponed sine die.
A delegation of 25 businessmen representing various productive sectors visited Honduras.
Businessmen from the cement industry, sugar, construction, coffee, honey, banana, real estate services and commerce talked with president Roberto Micheletti and Honduran business leaders.
"According to news agency Acan-Efe, Micheletti declared when talking to Guatemalan businessmen: my Government is willing to consolidate judicial security as a basic social guarantee, but specially as a tool to foster our investment climate", reported Prensalibre.com.