Name: Simple Focus
Price range: $

Washington, DC – Thousands of Honduran jobs are threatened by the latest attack on nearly $100 million in U.S. investment in the special economic zone known as Próspera ZEDE. Businesses operating in Próspera comprise one of the largest sources of employment on the Island of Roatán.
Yesterday and again today, a measure to ratify the repeal of the underlying constitutional authority for Próspera ZEDE was brought before the Honduran National Congress. The proposed measure does not acknowledge that international and constitutional law requires the Honduran government to honor a 50-year legal stability guarantee for U.S. investors in Próspera ZEDE. Even though the measure should have no lawful effect on U.S. ZEDE investments, it nevertheless creates confusion; and it encourages interference with businesses operating in Próspera, which was recently threatened by a municipal authority on the Island of Roatán. 
Thousands of good-paying Honduran jobs are threatened by the repeal measure. The measure also enhances the Honduran government’s exposure to billions of dollars of damages in Honduras Próspera Inc.’s pending international arbitration case (led by the world-class international arbitration firm of White & Case LLP). The measure is counterproductive from any vantage point. It evidences that the pendulum is swinging too far, too fast toward extremism in Honduras. 
The current political climate hurts Honduras’ ability to create jobs and attract international investment. This is resulting in an uncertain future for the people of Roatán and greater Honduras. For the sake of job creation, investment, and economic growth in Honduras, all levels of the Honduran government, both national and local, should choose moderation over radicalism.
Honduras Próspera Inc. is the U.S.-based promoter and organizer of Próspera ZEDE, which is an inalienable part of Honduras that enables job creation and economic growth through best practices public policy innovation.
 For more information, email medios@prospera.hn

Let’s Protect Honduran Jobs & U.S. Investment in Honduras

Roatán

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

Próspera

Jobs

Government

On October 13, 2022, <a href="https://www.hagerty.senate.gov/press-releases/2022/10/13/hagerty-and-cardin-urge-state-department-to-encourage-honduras-to-honor-legal-guarantees-with-respect-to-u-s-investments/" target="_blank">United States Senators Bill Hagerty (R-TN) and Ben Cardin (D-MD) issued a bipartisan warning</a> that “[a]ny direct or indirect expropriation of U.S. investments in Honduran Economic Development and Employment Zones would be regarded as a direct assault on the guarantees of CAFTA-DR and surely trigger a devastating loss of private sector confidence.”
Senators Hagerty and Cardin emphasized that U.S. investment in Honduran Economic Development and Employment Zones (ZEDEs) is guaranteed 50-years of legal stability under CAFTA-DR. The Senators also declared an intention to consider augmenting the U.S. investor protections of the Hickenlooper Amendment if the Honduran Government continued to disregard its obligations under CAFTA-DR. The Hickenlooper Amendment is a U.S. law that directs the President to suspend all aid to countries that engage in the expropriation of U.S. investments.
Senators Cardin and Hagerty, both members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, underscored that the failure to respect the Rule of Law in regard to U.S. investment in Honduran Economic Development and Employment Zones could jeopardize the huge job and economic growth opportunities in Honduras. Billions of dollars of private investment in Honduras, and the Partnership for Central America itself, are at imminent risk of being sidelined if the 50-year legal stability guarantee protecting U.S. investment in ZEDEs is not honored. In contrast, honoring international law and legal stability agreements with U.S. investors like Honduras Próspera Inc. (the U.S.-based promoter and organizer of Próspera ZEDE) sends a strong and stable message to the investment community; and promises to be a win-win for the thousands of Hondurans currently employed in Próspera and other ZEDEs. 
Honduras Próspera seeks the prosperity of Honduras. Próspera has a regulatory system that is uniquely optimized to enable easy nearshoring. We remain committed to raising and investing $500 million in the country and creating 10,000 stable, well-paying Honduran jobs by 2025. Honduras Próspera is uniquely positioned to unite the best of Honduras with the best of the world. Already more than 500 (e)Residents and 100 businesses, many of which are U.S. based, operate within Próspera ZEDE and are creating jobs and opportunities for Hondurans. More and more U.S. companies are proactively seeking to relocate production and logistics facilities to Próspera from less stable parts of the world. Now is the time for Honduras to shine.
As always, Honduras Próspera Inc. stands ready to negotiate a sensible path forward on the premise of guaranteed legal stability for Próspera ZEDE investors. 
<figure><img src="/uploads/Screen-Shot-2022-10-13-at-13.53.09.png?1665691094614" data-image="711"></figure>
<figure><img src="/uploads/Screen-Shot-2022-10-13-at-13.53.22.png" data-image="712"></figure>
<a href="/uploads/Carta-ZEDE-Senadores-USA-Cardin-D-Hagerty-R-1.pdf">Carta ZEDE Senadores USA Cardin D Hagerty R 1</a>

Huge Job and Economic Growth Opportunity for Honduras at Risk If Investments Protected by CAFTA-DR Agreement are Not Respected

Honduras Próspera Inc., la promotora y organizadora estadounidense de Próspera ZEDE, está protegida por una garantía de estabilidad jurídica de 50 años para sus inversiones, de conformidad con el derecho internacional y hondureño. Honduras Próspera mantiene su compromiso de ejercer su evidente derecho legal de crear 10,000 nuevos puestos de trabajo en Honduras y atraer 500 millones de dólares de inversión extranjera a Honduras para el año 2025.
Sin embargo, esta semana, el diputado Luis Redondo afirmó que las ZEDE que fueron aprobadas antes de abril del año 2022 no pueden operar legalmente y nunca han operado legalmente. Lamentamos la opinión infundada del Sr. Redondo. La declaración del Sr. Redondo no representa un acto del Congreso Nacional de Honduras ni tampoco una opinión del Congreso Nacional. No está respaldada por ningún voto del Congreso.
Si la declaración del Sr. Redondo se refiere a Próspera, existen buenas razones para dudar que tal declaración representa la posición del Gobierno de la Presidenta Xiomara Castro. El Sr. Redondo no es miembro del Partido Libre; y el Gobierno de Castro ha declarado en repetidas ocasiones que está comprometido con el respeto al Estado de Derecho y con mejorar el clima de inversión extranjera directa en Honduras para crear más y mejores empleos. 
El marco de inversión de Próspera fue sostenido como constitucional por la Corte Suprema de Honduras no sólo una vez, sino en múltiples ocasiones. Fue implementado por al menos seis decretos legislativos y al menos tres decretos ejecutivos en el transcurso de diez años. La estabilidad jurídica de Próspera está garantizada durante al menos 50 años por contratos de estabilidad jurídica, tratados internacionales y la legislación hondureña. Si no se cumplen estas garantías, ninguna inversión en Honduras puede considerarse que estará segura. 
La estabilidad y la seguridad jurídica son un requisito previo para las inversiones a gran escala y a largo plazo de cientos de millones de dólares, tal y como tiene previsto Honduras Próspera. Para atraer nuevas inversiones extranjeras a Honduras en una escala nunca antes vista, los inversionistas de Próspera han desplegado un modelo de negocios que consiste en ofrecer una gobernanza de alta integridad y alta eficiencia, con fiel sujeción al Estado de Derecho, que cumple o excede las normas anticorrupción y otras, de los Estados Unidos y del resto del mundo. Este modelo de negocio emplea actualmente, de forma directa o indirecta, a más de 1,100 hondureños y sustenta a casi 100 empresas innovadoras hondureñas e internacionales.
Es hora de que predomine la sensatez. Honduras Próspera sigue dispuesta a mantener un diálogo constructivo con el gobierno de Honduras para encontrar una solución mutuamente ventajosa ante las diferencias existentes, lo que también sería una oportunidad para que Honduras mejore su competitividad, fomente la creatividad y la innovación, cree oportunidades de desarrollo económico y social, y mejore los derechos de los trabajadores, entre otros objetivos del CAFTA-RD, y que envíe un mensaje positivo a otros inversionistas e instituciones internacionales.
Para mayor información, póngase en contacto al correo: medios@prospera.hn

El Estado de Derecho Protege la Inversión de EEUU en Próspera

Architecture

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

On June 3, 2022, Honduras Próspera Inc. (US-Delaware), the promoter and organizer of the innovative special economic zone known as Próspera ZEDE, and its affiliates St. John’s Bay Development Company LLC (US-Delaware) and Próspera Arbitration Center LLC (US-Texas), invited the Republic of Honduras to engage in consultations pursuant to the Investment Chapter of the Dominican Republic–Central America–United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR).
Honduras Próspera and its affiliates have made significant investments in Honduras in reliance on the ZEDE legal framework and commitments made by Honduras under Honduran law, international treaties, and legal stability agreements. Among other things, Honduras has guaranteed legal stability for 50 years, and the company plans to invest hundreds of millions of dollars more in the coming years. In order to draw new foreign investment to Honduras at a scale never-before-seen, Próspera ZEDE investors have been deploying a business model of delivering high integrity, high efficiency rule-of-law governance, which meets or exceeds U.S. anticorruption standards. This business model already sustains gainful employment for hundreds of local Hondurans and dozens of innovative Honduran and international businesses, and much more is planned for the years to come. Legal stability is a cornerstone of such large-scale, long-term investments.
Despite recent efforts to repeal the ZEDE legal framework, Próspera ZEDE continues to enjoy the rights it was previously granted because Honduras guaranteed legal stability for 50 years. Honduras Próspera expects the Government of Honduras to respect its legal stability commitments; and, accordingly, that the ZEDE legal framework will remain in full effect as to Honduras Próspera notwithstanding Honduras’ recent repeal efforts. A failure to uphold these commitments would constitute a breach of international and Honduran law, as well as wrongful and unfair treatment of Honduras Próspera. Moreover, it would send a message to the world that no foreign investment in Honduras is secure. Honduras Próspera has sent letters to the Government of Honduras underscoring this message, and inviting confirmation that Honduras Próspera’s rights will be respected. Despite repeated requests, there has been no response, while there have been misleading statements in the media that Próspera ZEDE will not be able to operate.
Honduras Próspera and its affiliates look forward to engaging in productive consultations with Honduras under the CAFTA-DR. It is not too late for Honduras to reaffirm its commitments, abide by the undertakings it made to attract foreign investment, and avoid an international investor-State arbitration. The legal team of Honduras Próspera Inc. stands ready, willing, and able to participate in good faith and hopes that Honduras will do the same.
Honduras Próspera is represented by the international law firm White & Case LLP.
Download CAFTA Consultation Request Correspondence to Government of Honduras:
1. <a href="https://docsend.com/view/b6gkjxinutmjfd6g" target="_blank">April 26, 2022 Correspondence - White & Case to Government of Honduras</a>
2. <a href="https://docsend.com/view/ywji5cjph45pd7ju" target="_blank">May 11, 2022 Correspondence - White & Case to Government of Honduras</a>
3. <a href="https://docsend.com/view/rgcf94vdt57dx9it" target="_blank">June 3, 2022 Correspondence - CAFTA-DR Request for Consultations</a>

Articles about Roatán

Let’s Protect Honduran Jobs & U.S. Investment in Honduras

Honduras no tiene intención de negociar pero Próspera busca seguir adelante

Huge Job and Economic Growth Opportunity for Honduras at Risk If Investments Protected by CAFTA-DR Agreement are Not Respected

El Estado de Derecho Protege la Inversión de EEUU en Próspera

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

Honduras Próspera Requests Consultations under CAFTA-DR

A Platform for Sustainable Growth.
Launching on Roatán

Articles about Roatán

Let’s Protect Honduran Jobs & U.S. Investment in Honduras

Honduras no tiene intención de negociar pero Próspera busca seguir adelante

Huge Job and Economic Growth Opportunity for Honduras at Risk If Investments Protected by CAFTA-DR Agreement are Not Respected

El Estado de Derecho Protege la Inversión de EEUU en Próspera

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

Honduras Próspera Requests Consultations under CAFTA-DR

A Platform for Sustainable Growth. Launching on Roatán

A Platform for Sustainable Growth.
Launching on Roatán