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In this age of technological innovation, builders of the world are exploring new paradigms for finance, social communities, and other frontiers in the digital world. Remote work and decentralization have opened the doors to more freedom of movement and lifestyle options, but there’s also a growing desire for a physical location where these trailblazers can congregate within a community that shares their values. Beyond the good vibes, the place should actually enhance their chances of success.
A private city and special economic zone on Roatan Island in Honduras presents a worthy base consideration for such operations. Próspera’s flagship city, St. John’s Bay, is a growing community of builders empowered by technological innovations and supportive governance. It’s a Caribbean hub where builders from the digital economy converge with those in the physical world to craft a next-gen city that shares the values of freedom and maximized prosperity. 
The E-Residency program
The E-Residency program is the first step for many on the journey into Próspera. For a small fee, individuals can become residents and gain access to the entire platform of services, where they can then register a business, manage their legal entities and regulatory compliance, and generally navigate their governance needs in one place. While e-residents often initially come for the low taxes and regulations, they stay for the growing sense of community. 
Within the <a href="https://prospera.hn/">Próspera</a> community, the chance to build a city around people’s ideals is one of the themes that makes it more of a shared mission rather than a decision made solely for jurisdictional advantages. This frontier city, with many first-world comforts, offers a unique opportunity because there are so many different fields where 21st-century pioneers can be the first to plant their flag and set the standard. 
E-residents can even help shape the future of their particular industry with three intelligently designed regulatory frameworks. One of those options is for a business to propose its unique framework to the governing council. If adopted by the board, this new framework is subsequently available to other firms operating in that same industry.
Creating the optimal environment for business builders
Launching a successful business requires the right conditions, even in good times. With economic headwinds, entrepreneurs of the 2020s are even more focused on ensuring they have the optimal conditions to reduce those fiscal frictions. A favorable tax and regulatory environment is a crucial factor for many startups. It can help reduce the financial and administrative burden, freeing up resources that can be used to invest in the business and drive growth. It also creates a level playing field for builders, allowing them to compete based on their ideas and innovation rather than being disadvantaged due to unfavorable tax or regulatory policies. 
These supportive government policies are attracting the types of businesses at the frontiers of their respective industries. This includes Minicircle, a biotechnology company focused on genetic therapies. Their CEO determined that St. John’s Bay was a jurisdiction that would allow them to safely but quickly get to clinical trials at less than 1% of the cost of running those trials in the US. The city also has fintech companies, a drone delivery service, a Montessori school, and a Bitcoin Academy for community education. The Bitcoin education center is a key highlight, considering that St. John’s Bay has the ambitious goal of being the city with the highest crypto adoption rates in the world by the end of 2023. 
Physical infrastructures to support the initiative
The innovation extends to their real estate developments. St. John’s Bay has the Circular Factory project, which uses geometric principles and layering, robotics, and 3D printing techniques to create beautiful and durable buildings with 70% less concrete and 90% less steel. This concept will result in custom designs like the upcoming Beyabu development.
With the city’s first residential tower slated to open in mid-2023, over 100 businesses have already incorporated within the jurisdiction, enticed by Próspera’s economic policies that empower business creators. Builders appreciate the supportive business environment and note the distinctive brand of freedom found in a private city on a tropical island, an ethos embraced by the city’s growing community of thousands of e-residents.
The city has also attracted interest from investors, including investments from Silicon Valley’s most notable angel investors. For them, Próspera offers a unique opportunity for them to fund the creation of a next-generation city, and potentially realize exponential gains as that city grows. Próspera’s approach to digital governance for a physical city is a unique value proposition outside of traditional software or physical real estate investments. Próspera describes governance as an industry and views its services as an option for individuals and host governments seeking alternatives to the status quo. For investors, this paradigm shift presents a huge opportunity – if governance is a market, it’s one of the largest markets in the world and ripe for disruption. This is one reason investors are flocking to the city, with Próspera raising upwards of $50 million to support the growth of St. John’s Bay. 
Niklas Anzinger runs Infinita Fund and has invested in several businesses based in St. John’s Bay, with plans to move there in 2023. “Prospera is the most exciting project in the world regarding pioneering a new model for unleashing entrepreneurship. This is interesting for me as an investor for two reasons: 1) it attracts underserved talent, i.e., technology entrepreneurs from Honduras, and 2) it attracts international entrepreneurs in frontier technologies that are held back where they’re from because of overregulation. On top of all that, we joined a phenomenal community,” Anzinger shares.
A living and breathing culture
That community spirit, which comes up often, is seen even in the early stages of an entrepreneur’s introduction to St. John’s Bay. There are a number of summits held in the city for industries like fintech, health/biotech, and construction innovation. These summits present a coterie of enthusiastic builders eager to network with each other, compare ideas, and wrap their minds around how to bring their ideas to fruition in building a new city together. 
Entrenched interests often challenge innovations that shake up the status quo. The ZEDE law, which created Próspera’s special economic zone, became a political football when the opposing party came into power. There’s a 50-year constitutional guarantee for the location, but the new administration nonetheless created a perception of doubt around the issue. Despite this challenge, the project has continued to thrive due to the optimism and vision of participants. The number of new businesses boarded into the St. John’s Bay jurisdiction grew by 38% in 2022, and the number of e-residents grew by 86%. 
The e-residency program has been proven effective for builders and trailblazers, creating a new frontier from which to launch businesses built for the coming decades. With the supporting governance and policies crafted to maximize the advantages for business builders, this initiative is expected to make a tremendous positive impact that will send waves across the world. It may even become the only way to build a successful business for the next generation.

Trailblazing Builders Find a Caribbean Launchpad Through Próspera

Próspera

Roatán, Islas de la Bahía, 1 febrero, 2023. La presidenta de Honduras, Xiomara Castro, ha dicho en una declaración pública televisada que Honduras no tiene "nada que negociar" con los inversionistas de las ZEDE. Pese a la negativa del Gobierno de Castro a negociar, el Grupo Próspera reitera que su objetivo es encontrar soluciones y seguir adelante con sus inversiones en Honduras, amparado por el derecho Hondureño e internacional. 
Los comentarios de la Sra. Castro vienen luego de que Honduras ha tomado pasos para derogar aspectos del marco legal de las zonas especiales de desarrollo económico (ZEDEs) aunque Honduras previamente garantizó que el marco legal de las ZEDE se mantendría en vigencia para las ZEDEs existentes durante muchas décadas. 
La conducta del Estado Hondureño generó una controversia internacional con los inversionistas estadounidenses del Grupo Próspera. Tras repetidos esfuerzos para encontrar una solución amistosa, Honduras Próspera Inc. y sus afiliadas presentaron demandas ante el Centro Internacional de Arreglo de Diferencias Relativas a Inversiones (CIADI) contra el Estado de Honduras para proteger sus inversiones y derechos adquiridos. No obstante, los demandantes del Grupo Próspera han reiterado multiples veces su voluntad de negociar dentro de un marco internacionalmente aceptado. 
Según Erick A. Brimen, Director Ejecutivo de Honduras Próspera, Inc.: 
"Próspera lamenta la negativa por parte de Honduras a entablar negociaciones. Lo que buscamos es seguir invirtiendo en Honduras a fin de traer prosperidad y nuevas oportunidades al país. Próspera tiene el pleno derecho de seguir operando en Honduras bajo el régimen legal de las ZEDE durante el período completo de estabilidad jurídica de 50 años tal como lo había garantizado Honduras. Nuestro deseo es que se respeten los derechos adquiridos y el Estado de Derecho y hacemos un llamado al gobierno para que y cumpla con sus obligaciones, lo cual a la vez evitaría un daño duradero a la economía y mejoraría la reputación internacional de Honduras. Cientos de millones de dólares en inversiones adicionales y decenas de miles de puestos de trabajo hondureños adicionales permanecen en suspenso debido a la continua e infundada hostilidad del Gobierno hacia las inversiones estadounidenses en Próspera ZEDE. Queremos trabajar con el Gobierno y si el diálogo no es posible entonces nuestras diferencias tendrán que resolverse en el marco del arbitraje internacional que manejan nuestros abogados de White & Case LLP.” 
 Para más información, póngase en contacto con medios@prospera.hn

Honduras no tiene intención de negociar pero Próspera busca seguir adelante

Roatán

Jobs

Government

El tiempo para evitar un arbitraje internacional se está agotando. Honduras Próspera reitera la necesidad de establecer un diálogo formal con el Gobierno de Honduras bajo prácticas y protocolos internacionales que son habituales en procesos de diálogo entre inversionistas y Estados, que benefician a ambas partes y que son indispensables para encontrar una solución amistosa. 
Para lograr conversaciones constructivas y productivas, las partes deben formalizar un acuerdo de no divulgación (“NDA”) que proteja las posiciones legales de ambas partes y les permita conversar entre sí con entera confianza, creando un ambiente donde las partes pueden compartirse información mutuamente y debatir potenciales soluciones sin temor a perjudicar sus posturas legales ante un potencial proceso de arbitraje. El diálogo bajo condiciones de “no divulgación” y “sin perjuicio” es una práctica internacional habitual e incluso es recomendada por el Centro Internacional de Arreglo de Diferencias Relativas a Inversiones (CIADI) en sus Notas Prácticas para el Uso de Demandados.
Reiteramos que el Estado de Honduras ha garantizado la estabilidad y vigencia del marco legal de Próspera ZEDE por un periodo de 50 años, independientemente de si las reformas constitucionales o la Ley Orgánica de las ZEDE fuesen derogadas. Es evidente que el derecho nacional e internacional respalda las inversiones de Honduras Próspera y la operación de Próspera ZEDE, las cuales se amparan en las decisiones de los tres poderes del Estado de Honduras (Ejecutivo, Legislativo y Judicial), expresadas mediante decenas de instrumentos y actos jurídicos, incluyendo la ratificación de tratados internacionales, la emisión de sentencias de la Corte Suprema de Justicia y la aprobación de reformas constitucionales, leyes especiales, actos administrativos, contratos de estabilidad jurídica y autorizaciones de inversión. 
El modelo de negocio de Honduras Próspera, desplegado a través de la plataforma legal de Próspera ZEDE, ha logrado la generación de más de 1,100 empleos hondureños directos e indirectos y el establecimiento de alrededor de 100 nuevas empresas innovadoras nacionales e internacionales.
Confiamos que sólo a través de una mesa de diálogo bajo los estándares antes descritos lograremos evitar un arbitraje internacional y alcanzar una solución amistosa que nos permita seguir invirtiendo en Honduras y generando tan necesitadas oportunidades de empleo para la población hondureña.

Honduras Próspera reitera necesidad de diálogo bajo prácticas y estándares internacionales

Honduras Próspera Inc., the U.S. promoter and organizer of Próspera ZEDE, is protected by a 50-year legal stability guarantee for its investments under international and Honduran law. Honduras Próspera remains committed to exercising its clear legal right to create 10,000 new Honduran jobs and draw US$500m in foreign investment to Honduras by 2025.
Nevertheless, this week, Congressman Luis Redondo asserted that ZEDEs approved before April 2022 cannot legally operate and have never legally operated. We regret the unfounded opinion by Mr. Redondo. Mr. Redondo’s statement does not represent an act of the National Congress of Honduras nor even an opinion of the National Congress. It is not supported by any congressional vote.
If meant to apply to Próspera, there is good reason to doubt that Mr. Redondo’s statement represents the position of the Administration of President Xiomara Castro. Mr. Redondo is not a member of the Libre Party; and the Castro Administration has repeatedly stated it is committed to respecting the Rule of Law and improving the foreign direct investment climate in Honduras to create more and better jobs. 
Próspera’s investment framework was sustained as constitutional by the Honduran Supreme Court not just once, but on multiple occasions. It was implemented by at least six legislative decrees and at least three executive decrees over ten years. The legal stability of Próspera is guaranteed for at least 50 years by legal stability agreements, international treaties, and Honduran law. No investment in Honduras can be regarded as secure if these guarantees are not honored.
Legal stability and certainty is a prerequisite for large-scale, long-term investments in the hundreds of millions of dollars, as planned by Honduras Próspera. In order to draw new foreign investment to Honduras at a scale never-before-seen, Próspera investors have been deploying a business model of delivering high integrity, high efficiency rule-of-law governance, which meets or exceeds U.S. and international anticorruption and other standards. This business model now directly or indirectly employs over 1100 local Hondurans and sustains nearly 100 innovative Honduran and international businesses.
It is time for reasonable people to prevail. Honduras Próspera remains willing to pursue a constructive dialogue with the Honduran government to find a mutually advantageous solution to any existing differences which would also be an opportunity for Honduras to enhance competitiveness, foster creativity and innovation, create opportunities for economic and social development, and enhance worker’s rights, among other goals of the CAFTA-DR, and which would send a positive message to other international investors and institutions.

The Rule of Law Protects U.S. Investment in Próspera

Architecture

U.S. investor Honduras Próspera, Inc. has demonstrated and hereby reiterates its longstanding commitment to the development of Honduras. Since 2018, Honduras Próspera has invested significant resources in Honduras and made Próspera ZEDE a strong platform for economic development. The company remains committed to the successful development of Próspera, even as the Republic of Honduras is taking steps to repeal aspects of the legal framework for special economic development zones (ZEDEs), in view of Honduras’s commitments of legal stability for investors.
When investing in Honduras, Honduras Próspera, Inc. relied on specific legal stability guarantees from Honduras that the rights and authorities provided by the ZEDE legal framework would remain in effect as to Próspera for many decades. Honduras Próspera respects the sovereignty of Honduras and its right to change its laws, but expects Honduras to respect its commitments under legal stability agreements and international treaties, consistent with President’s Castro recent assurances to the <a href="https://www.state.gov/bureaus-offices/under-secretary-for-economic-growth-energy-and-the-environment/" target="_blank">Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment of the United States </a>that Honduras would guarantee legal security to attract foreign investment. 
Honduras Próspera, Inc. embraces the shared principle that Hondurans should be empowered to control their own destiny and reach their true potential. The company affirms its commitment to continue current cooperation and discussions with Honduran officials, while underscoring at all times its rights under legal stability agreements and international treaties. Honduras Próspera looks forward to a productive dialogue that will demonstrate to the world that Honduras welcomes serious investors to promote economic growth and development.

Honduras Próspera, Inc reiterates its commitment to Próspera ZEDE

Próspera ZEDE, an enhanced Special Economic Zone legally similar to Hong Kong (SAR) and located on the Island of Roatan in the Western Caribbean and the Northern Corridor of Honduras, announced today that Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies effectively operate as legal tender within its jurisdiction. 
The Próspera ZEDE also announced that municipalities, local governments, and international firms can issue Bitcoin Bonds from the Próspera ZEDE jurisdiction with world class KYC and AML standards, creating a new and accessible tool for attracting FDI and driving economic development in Honduras. 
The announcement positions Próspera as one of the leading jurisdictions in the world for financial innovation and investment. In Próspera, Bitcoin can be used as a form of payment for individuals and businesses. Unlike most other jurisdictions, transactions in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are not subject to capital gains taxes. Próspera also accepts payment of taxes and fees using Bitcoin and enables residents to build crypto-focused businesses using an optimal regulatory framework of their choice, all undergirded by world-class AML and KYC standards to ensure worldwide regulatory compliance. 
 Starting today, the Próspera jurisdiction can enable municipalities in Honduras to issue Bitcoin Bonds to attract foreign direct investment directly to where it is needed most. Non-US companies and other political subdivisions from around the world can also issue Bitcoin Bonds through Próspera’s innovative regulatory system. In all cases, Bitcoin Bonds issued through Próspera will comply with world-class standards for AML and KYC. 
 The Promoter and Organizer of Prospera ZEDE, Honduras Próspera Inc. (a Delaware Corp.) is currently accepting investment in a Security Token Convertible Note Offering, which is now live on the Securitize platform. Accredited investors worldwide can invest in the companies building Próspera in total compliance with US legal and regulatory standards, and receive equity in the form of a Security token. Próspera’s flexible regulatory framework enables crypto-innovation and the use of Bitcoin by residents, businesses, and governments. 
By enabling Bitcoin Bonds to be issued by municipalities and local governments, in full compliance with world-class KYC and AML standards, Próspera is enabling local communities to have direct access to growing cryptocurrency global marketplace, which was nearly $2 Trillion in 2021 and is expected to surpass $30 Trillion by 2027. 
This new form of foreign direct investment, combined with Próspera’s services, can help transform impoverished communities into flouring centers of innovation and prosperity. 
 # # # 
 For more details visit www.prospera.hn. 
 For further information contact: 
 Próspera: J. Robertson, jrobertson@prospera.hn Securitize: Evan Wagner, evan.wagner@securitize.io 
 
 Disclosures: Private market investments can be speculative or considered risky, including potential loss of your investment, and may not be appropriate for every investor

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Honduras Próspera reitera necesidad de diálogo bajo prácticas y estándares internacionales

The Rule of Law Protects U.S. Investment in Próspera

Honduras Próspera, Inc reiterates its commitment to Próspera ZEDE

Próspera Announces Bitcoin Bond Authority in the First Crypto-Friendly Jurisdiction that is Fully AML-KYC Compliant

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Launching on Roatán