The country attracted $1,203 million last year, with highlights being an increase in capital from countries in the region such as Panama, Colombia and Guatemala.
In 2015 flows of foreign direct investment (FDI) from Latin America were higher than those received from North America, totaling $437.8 million, the largest share (36.4% of total), according to the Central Bank of Honduras.
In February, the consumer price index registered a variation of 0.49% compared to January, placing accumulated inflation at 0.80%.
In February 2016, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded a monthly variation of 0.49%, influenced by an increase in the cost of tuition at different levels of private education (formal and informal) and because of the higher price of food such as corn, onion and tomato.
The country sold $148 million less in 2015 due to the fall in international prices of raw materials, with total sales being $3,912 million.
From a statement issued by the Central Bank:
Foreign trade of general merchandise exports in 2015 registered $3,921.3 million, down 3.6% ($148.3 million) from the amount sold in 2014; a result mainly due to the fall in international prices of major raw materials produced in the country such as coffee, palm oil, shrimp, sugar and minerals, among others.
Economic growth will range between 3.3% and 3.7% in 2016, led by banking, communications, agriculture, manufacturing, and recovery in the construction sector.
From a statement issued by the Central Bank:
The Board of the Central Bank of Honduras (BCH) in fulfilling its tasks, on February 17, 2016 by Resolution No.56-2 / 2016, approved the 2016-2017 Monetary Programme, which contains guidelines and policy actions, related to credit and exchange in the country, to be implemented in this biennium, based on the recent national macroeconomic performance and behavior and outlook for the world economy.
In January, the consumer price index changed by 0.31% compared to December, keeping inflation at 3.08%.
In the first month of 2016 the Consumer Price Index (CPI) showed a monthly variation of 0.31%, mainly due to the rise in the price of basic grains (red beans, corn and rice) and meat (beef, pork, chicken and fish). Meanwhile, annual inflation stood at 3.08% (3.83% in January 2015).
In December, the consumer price index remained unchanged from November, with inflation remaining at 2.36%.
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) in December 2015 showed no variation compared to November. Annual inflation was 2.36%, lower than the amount recorded in the same month of 2014 (5.82%).
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During the month, in the basket of 282 goods and services that form the basis of the CPI calculation; 138 products reflected price increases (48.94%) 34 saw price decreases (12.05%), with the goods and services with the highest weighting in the index being food (corn, red beans and some dairy), electricity and fuels. The rest, totaling 110 products, maintained their price (39.01%).
In November, the consumer price index recorded a variation of -0.07%, placing accumulated inflation in the year to 2.36%.
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) registered a monthly decrease of 0.07% in November 2015, mainly due to lower prices of red beans, shelled corn and fuels (diesel and petrol super and regular). Meanwhile, annual inflation was 2.10% (the lowest since October 1987, when it registered 1.44%), remaining below the lower limit of the target range envisaged in the monetary program; accumulated inflation was 2.36%.
In October, the consumer price index recorded a rise of 0.07%, placing the accumulated inflation in the year at 2.43%.
In October 2015, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) registered a monthly variation of 0.07%. This means that annual inflation -month on month- is 2.54%, the lowest since January 1988, remaining below the lower limit of the target range in 2015; while accumulated inflation is 2.43%.
In July, the economy grew at 3.4%, above the growth rate of 2.7% recorded in the same month in 2014.
Monthly Economic Activity report by the Central Bank of Honduras:
Honduran Economy
In July 2015, domestic production, measured by the IMAE original series showed a variation of 3.4%, higher than that reported in the same month in 2014 (2.7%). For its part, the cycle trend showed a variation of 3.1.
A decline in international prices and lower productivity of Honduran agribusinesses compared to Asian ones explain the 26% drop in foreign sales to June 2015.
According to local oil palm producers the main reason is the lack of competitiveness of the local palm oil compared to that produced in Asia. They argue that "... 'In Honduras it is difficult for palm agribusiness companies to diversify their products and turn them into finished products'. "
Between January and April this year, mining sales totaled $71 million, $20.8 million less than that recorded in the same period in 2014.
The report by the Central Bank of Honduras said that the decline was mainly because so far this year they have not been exporting iron oxide due to the temporary closure of the companies dedicated to this sector because of the implementation of new extraction methods.
In June, the consumer price index increased by 0.56%, accumulated inflation is 2.18% so far this year.
From a statement issued by Banco Central de Honduras:
The items that contributed the most to the monthly performance was "Food and non-alcoholic beverages" with a share of 0.16 pp; followed by "Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels" with 0.14 pp, "Transport" with 0.11 pp, "Hotels, cafes and restaurants" with 0.06 pp, "Clothing and footwear" with 0.04 pp, "Furniture & items for household maintenance" with 0.02 pp. The categories, "Health", "Recreation and Culture" and "Personal Care" contributed 0.01% pp each, while "Alcohol and Tobacco", "Education" and "Communications" presented no contribution during the month under analysis.
Justified by the slowdown of the global economy, for the third time this year the Central Bank of Honduras has reduced the monetary policy rate by 0.25%.
From a statement issued by Banco Central de Honduras:
BANCO CENTRAL DE HONDURAS REDUCES MONETARY POLICY RATE TO 6.25%
The Board of the Central Bank of Honduras (BCH) in reaction to a proposal from the Commission on Open Market Operations (COMA) and after analyzing the recent performance and prospects for the main macroeconomic and financial indicators, both nationally and internationally, has decided to change the monetary policy rate (TPM) based mainly on the following:
The new law regulates the operation of the transfer of funds through the banking and securities settlement system.
From a statement from the National Congress of Honduras:
The National Congress has passed the Payment System and Settlement act, which allow transactions to be made more smoothly and also for economic activity to take place more quickly
In March, the consumer price index recorded a rise of 0.68%, placing accumulated inflation in the first three months of the year at 0.93%.
From a report by the Central Bank of Honduras:
Monthly inflation, measured by the change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) was 0.68% in March 2015; explained, in part, by the increase in prices of: electricity supply in housing; transport (due to the rise in fuel prices); and foodstuffs.