Today marks a significant milestone as the Government of El Salvador officially commenced operations at the El Amatillo Integrated Border Post (IBP), poised to enhance commercial ties between El Salvador, Honduras, and other regional nations.
Minister of Economy, María Luisa Hayem, expressed excitement, stating, «This project has required a significant amount of technical work (…) This is the first of six border posts. We will collaborate closely with the governments of Honduras and Guatemala to achieve a higher level of integration. We are confident that it will foster increased trade relations between El Salvador, Honduras, and other regional countries.»
The event was attended by Francisco Alberto Lima Mena, Secretary of Central American Economic Integration, Fausto Cálix, Executive Director of Honduran Customs, Fredis Cerrato, Secretary of Economic Development of Honduras, Benjamin Mayorga, Director of El Salvador Customs, Alberto Acosta, Undersecretary of Commerce and Investments, representatives from the business sector and trade associations, officials from international organizations, among others.
«It will contribute to a leap in the competitiveness of our businesses and the positioning of the region as an investment hub. We will work in an integrated manner at the border post. Drivers will not need to disembark, and goods will be dispatched from a modern booth,» emphasized Minister Hayem.
Fredis Cerrato, Secretary of Economic Development of Honduras, applauded the «enormous effort to be here today at this historic moment» and acknowledged the work of authorities and agencies in each country.
«As of tomorrow, December 7, El Amatillo becomes an Integrated Border Post in the customs union between Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador,» highlighted the Secretary of Economic Development of Honduras.
Fausto Cálix, Executive Director of Honduran Customs, detailed, «This is the main border post shared by Honduras and El Salvador, crucial for the exports and imports of both countries.» A month and a half ago, officials from El Salvador and Honduras inaugurated the Advance Cargo Declaration between the two nations. Today, the relationship between these sister nations strengthens further with the initiation of operations at the El Amatillo Integrated Border Post (IBP).