www.hondurasthisweek.com

Monday, January 22, 2007 Online Edition 03

New law hopes to open telecom market

Alex Jones
Honduras This Week

With the new law, state company Hondutel may become just one player in many on the Honduran telecommunications market.

The opening of the telecommunications market in Honduras could have colossal affects for everyone in the country. This is according to Rasel Antonio Tomé F., President of the National Telecommunication Commission in Honduras (CONATEL), the state telecommunications authority. A new law is expected to be passed soon, allowing any company to provide cellular and international calls and to enable individuals to get all their telecommunications - internet, telephone, television and cable - with one license. It is hoped that this will encourage new investment and competition, and in turn decrease the cost but increase the quality and availability and of each service. However there is fear that changes to the proposed law, requested by various Liberal Members of Congress, will leave the legislation impotent. By Alex Jones

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Honduran Paintings

hon
Las Lavanderas (Red)
Benigno Gomez Lopez
Honduras 1988
Born January 17, 1934 in Naranjito, Honduras. Graduated Escuela Nacional Bellas Artes, Honduras 1959. Academia Bellas Artes, Italy 1960.

23 3/4 X 17 3/4 24 1/2 X 18 1/2

More paintings at www.honduraspaintings.com

CLICK HERE FOR REAL ESTATE

VILLAS DEL REAL

Conjunto Residencial de 400 Viviendas Unifamiliares y Futuro Desarrollo Multifamiliar

Complejo Residencial ubicado en la zona de mayor desarrollo habitacional de la ciudad, con acceso por el Anillo Periférico Sur, contiguo al Boulevard de Las Uvas. Información

Copans Best Accomodation Options

La Casa de Cafe B&B, Copan Ruinas

Copans first Bed & Breakfast Inn. Ten rooms, private hot water bath, full breakfasts included in rate. Excellent complimentary Copan mtn grown coffee served all day. Lovely garden with panoramic views of the Copan River Valley & distant mtns of Guatemala, hammocks. Colonial charm, excellent service, bilingual hosts. Four blocks to downtown, close to all restaurants, museums & shops. A charming and comfortable base from which to explore the Mayan ruins of Copan. Recommended by Lonely Planet Central America, Footprint Guide Central America & Mexico, Rough Guide Central America, Moon Handbook Honduras,Honduras Adventures In Nature, Open Road Honduras. Information:

www.casadecafecopan.com

Copan Ruinas, Long & Short Term Vacation Rental,
La Casa de Don Santiago Town House Rental

Brand new, comfortable and stylish rental home with all amenities, 2 bdrms each with private balcony and valley views, 2 1/2 baths, sleeper couch, hot water, granite countertops throughout, color tv w/ cable, ceiling fans, custom furniture, extra large closets, fully equipped kitchen, purified water, all new appliances, living room, dining room, maid service included, garden w/ hammock, centrally located & close to all shopping, dining and cultural offerings. Avail by night, week, month. Copans best vacation rental.

http://www.casadedonsantiagocopan.com

Copan Ruinas, Casa Jaguar Rental Home. Charming & comfortable village residence. Quiet street, 5 blks from Central Park, all shops, restaurants, cafes, museums. Newly remodeled, 2 bdrm w/ 1 dbl bed in each bdrm,1 bath w/ hot water, fully furnished, sleeper couch, full kitchen w/ all new appliances, all utensils, purified water, living room, dining room, maid service included, a/c, ceiling fans, color tv w/ cable, travel & Maya culture reference library, hammocks. Available for rental by the night, week, month.

www.casajaguarcopan.com

Fishing Boat Captain Needed!

I need a fishing boat captain, or an experienced fisherman who can handle the daily routine of a charter fishing boat operation in La Ceiba. Must have interenet and be dependable, reliable and honest! Please email me at sail_fever@yahoo.com or you may call me in Texas, USA +01 432 631-2193.

Honduran Beachfront lot. 3500 SqFt in Santa Fe (near Trujillo) ..
Road is in, Electric, Water and Telephone adjacent. Sat TV and Internet
available. $18,000 contact hondprop@mail.com

REAL ESTATE

Roatan Realty http://www.ROATANREALTY.com

For Sale- Roatan Island Real Estate
The global investment community is calling Roatan Island the hottest new investment destination in the Americas!
This spectacular beachfront home has marvelous sunset views which crystal clear turquoise waters of the Caribbean at your doorstep, this property is located in the sought after community of Lawson Rock.

The community has two pools, a restaurant and marina. With 102 feet of beachfront this 6/10 acre site has been lushly landscaped with almost every tropical flower in the Caribbean. Asking Price $US $1,449,000
Own a magnificent island estate with a natural deep water harbor, more than 310-ft. private beachfront, 4.8 acres on tropical paradise and a fully furnished luxury home. Located on Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras, Central America.

Asking Price- $2,250,000
Tel USA + 1 877 716 1388 – Tel Honduras + 504 455 6022- email: info@roatanrealty.com
Roatan Realty Office Park, Main Rd, Brick Bay, Roatan

Infinity Bay Spa & Beach Resort

Roatan Most Elegant Condo & Hotel Development

Infinity Bay Spa & Beach Resort is an exclusive upscale development of 110 spacious one, two and three-bedroom condominium villas that together create a luxurious, relaxing escape on the sunny Caribbean coast. Here, in a lavish resort hotel setting, you’ll be able to enjoy all that the Caribbean has to offer in your very own villa, while taking advantage of a tremendous investment opportunity.

White Sandy beaches
Turquoise Water
Best Coral Reef in Caribbean

For investment Opportunity
Visit our website at: http://www.infinitybayroatan.com
Contact Information: Tommy Bauer at (504) 967-0777, (504) 403-8076, (504) 403-8077 or e-mail at: tbauer@infinitybayroatan.com

Parrot Tree
Plantation
Century 21
J. Edwards Real Estate
Beachfront Condos from $239,000* price subject to increase
THIS IS ROATAN´S BEST INVESTMENT VALUE ON THE MARKET TODAY!
Overlooking a secluded blue lagoon and 2,000´
of white sandy beach. Luxurious, fully furnished one-bedroom condos-Financing available.
For more information please contact: jedwards@globalnet.hn
Phones. 011 504 978 8355, Tel: (504) 470-1001
http://www.parrottreeplantation.com

Rentals

FOR THOSE LOOKING FOR
AUTHENTICITY

A COLONIAL TOUCH

8 « full extra » all equiped rooms
Refined colonial style
Intercontinental and french breakfast
Flowered patio
Spanish,English, French speaking

For Rent
Birmor
Secure Apartments. Located in Col. Florencia,
it has two furnished bedrooms.
Price from $700.00.
Apartments located in Col. Tepeyac,
New!! Near the Hospital Medical Center. Price from $750, unfurnished.
Apartments in Col. Miramontes,
Pen House, swimming pool and more, three bedrooms and one bedroom.

For Rent
New beach house rental in Tela, hot water,
new appliances, furnished, cable, private
pool, walk to the beach. Short or long
term rental periods. SPS 504-566-2295
or e-mail chozasj@sulanet.net
$1,000 USD monthly neg.

House for Rent, Sale or Exchange
Located in Comayaguelas´s best commercial area, ideal for business.
Location novena calle entre 3 y 4 ave.
Across from ¨Japon Internacional¨
(Mitch Proof Location).
Six rooms, plus a seventh room in
a mezzanine. 1 ½ bathrooms, warehouse,
water tank, steel entrance door, steel bar protected windows, e/w sound isolation(glass reduces external noise). Two telephone lines, roofed patio, safe ceiling bars, ceramic floors, and a 30 ft. tower for communication.
The house has the following measurements: 151.94 mts.2, 217.93 vrs2.
Sale Price:2 Million, (0r exchange for a house located in Col. Los Robles, Roble Alto,
Las Hadas etc.) Monthly rent: L.7,500.
If you are interested Call Phone:
(504) 234-5018, or e-mail: zzrpfm96@yahoo.com.

Copan Ruinas, Long & Short Term Vacation Rental, La Casa de Don Santiago ...
comfortable and stylish with all amenities, 2 bedrooms each with private balcony and valley views, 2 1/2 baths, hot water, granite
countertops throughout, color tv w/ cable,
ceiling fans, custom furniture, extra large closets, fully equipped kitchen, all new appliances, living room, dining room, garden w/ hammock, centrally located & close to all shopping, dining and cultural offerings.
Copan´s best vacation rental. Contact: http://casacafe@hondutel.hn, http://casadecafe@mayanet.hn

Leslie’s Place
BED & BREAKFAST INN + INTERNET

Colonia Palmira, Distrito Hotelero,
Frente a Plaza San Martin,
Residencia 452

PBX: (504) 220-7494, 220-5325, FAX (504)
220-7492
E -mail: services@dormir.com http//: www.dormir.com

Leslie’s Place
Aparthotel + Internet
Colonia Tepeyac 1167
Corporative Monthly Rates

Furnished Rooms
Private Bathroom
Full Kitchen
Telephone
Cable T.V. And A/C
Wireless Internet
Common Area
Garden
Parking Lot
Laundry
Fax

PBX: (504) 220-7494
E -mail: services@dormir.com

Honduras Shores Plantation

Caribbean Beach Club
Pool, Restaurant and Bar
Cabañas and Houses For Rent
A/C, Cable T.V.
24 Hours Security

San Juan, Tela. Tel: (504) 448-0342
415-3105
http://resort@hondshores.com www.hondshores.com

Many more ads in classifieds!

Three fruits to change Honduras

Alex Jones
Honduras This Week

Archive/Honduras This Week
The noni is the most popular ingredient for herbal remedies in the world.

Last week we looked at three roots and tubers that hold great potential for small and medium scale farmers in Honduras. This week we look at three of the fruits that Santa Fe Agro, the first private agri-business center in Honduras, are suggesting could bring wealth to thousands. The following three products have been selected primarily because they have a high retail value, which may imply that they also have an unsatisfied demand. By Alex Jones

Regionalized minimum wages to bring maquila to Choluteca

Anette Emanuelsson
Honduras This Week

Courtesy of the Honduran Manufacturers Association
The industrial parks in Villanueva (picture) and Choloma will soon get competition from Choluteca.

The construction of a manufacturing park in the southern part of the country was given a green light on Thursday night as the manufacturers, the workers' unions and the government reached an agreement to allow lower minimum wages in five Honduran departments for a period of ten years. The intention is to attract maquilas into less developed regions of the country. By Anette Emanuelsson

week review

Changes to electoral law
125th anniversary of National Police
Hondutel promises to fulfill investment plan

EDITORIAL

www.problemswithcomunications.com

We all know the importance of telecommunications in business today. The cost, availability and quality of service affect everyone in Honduras.The former government wanted to create an open market for more businesses to enter and generate a high level of competition which would improve the prices and the quality of the service. Full Editorial

BUSINESS WEEK IN REVIEW

Tilapia generates $50 million
New credit card laws
Honduras hoped to be relieved of $1 million debt
New factories to produce car harnesses for export
Wal-Mart to invest $13 million

Isla del Tigre: The road less traveled

Samy El-Kabbany
Honduras This Week

Archive/Honduras This Week
La Isla del Tigre in southern Honduras should not be overlooked by tourists.

Honduras and its Bay Islands are recognized for the beauty and splendor of their white sandy beaches across the Caribbean coast. Quite rightly so they attract a large number of tourists and developers looking for a little slice of heaven on earth. They are the talk of the town as the much-anticipated "Duty Free Trade Zone" is set to hit its shores. By Samy El-Kabbany

Roatan Bruce
Interviews

Crossed Internet Wires

Bruce Starr/Honduras This Week
Mario Velasquez, head of the Internet Provider Globalnet, San Pedro Sula.

I asked Mario Velasquez, head of the Internet Provider Globalnet, San Pedro Sula, to come on the show to clarify the recent turn of events concerning Internet service on the Bay Islands. On Saturday, January 5th, the Honduran government on behalf of Hondutel raided the offices of TTI (Tropico) and seized all their equipment including computers and other hardware. By Bruce Starr

COMING BACK TO LIFE

As totally predicted, the island celebrated the Christmas and New Year's holidays right up until Monday, January 15th. Offices were closed, processing stopped and a general feeling of "I don't really care yet" prevailed across the island. Now it seems business will be as usual for the rest of the year or at least until one of the 65 recognized Honduran holidays come up. By Don Pearly

Voces Universitarias de Honduras: "Reggaeton is invading our country!"

Sasha Arms
Honduras This Weeks

Courtesy of Voces Universitarias
Voces Universitarias performing at the theater Manuel Bonilla after receiving the National Art Award last November.

There are not many music groups in the world who have stayed around for 41 years, had more than 80 band members and funded tours and music production themselves for the sheer love of music. To stand the test of time takes dedication, belief and a determined passion. And that is exactly what Voces Universitarias de Honduras - the 'University Voices of Honduras' - possess. However, as Adalid Lobo and Pedro Curry, two current members of the group tell us, things do not always happen effortlessly. By Sasha Arms

Book

Dying to Cross by Jorge Ramos

Patrick Ahern
Honduras This Week

Given the fierce immigration debate in the U.S. and the continuing outflow of Hondurans heading north, Dying to Cross is an important and timely book. It also requires a strong stomach to read. This is the tragic but true story of the 19 immigrants who died from heat, dehydration and eventual asphyxiation after being locked in the back of a semi-trailer with at least 53 other immigrants on May 14, 2003. By Patrick Ahern

Leeward

"At the finals of the 2006 Improvised Poetry Competition-- the dust having settled- there remained two contenders: Sir Percival Scott, KCB, KG, OBE, OPOF from Devonshire, England and Joe D. Schmoe, from Upper Montana. The prize: US$250,000.00, for the best rhyme utilizing the word Timbuktu.

Leeward

Getting "caught out" in nautical terms, translates to getting hit by a gale or storm while out at sea. The word "gale" refers to conditions of sustained wind velocity of 34-40 knots, Force 8 in Beaufort notation, or of gusts reaching 43 knots (momentarily Force 9).Full Article

................................TEGUCIGALPA

MUSEO DE HISTORIA REPUBLICANA
The Museum of Republican History is located at the Villa Roy building in Tegucigalpa's Barrio Buenos Aries. It is open 8:30 to 3:30, Tuesdays through Sundays and features portraits, paraphernalia, and other interesting items from past presidents. Admission is Lps. 20 for non-resident foreigners and Lps. 10 for Hondurans and Central Americans. For more information, call 222-3470 or 222-1468. Full Calendar

All original articles and photographs published in Honduras This Week are protected by international copyright law. Reproduction, in whole or in part without prior written permission, is strictly prohibited. Published online by Marrder Omnimedia. Comments or suggestions regarding this web site should be addressed to the webmaster, Stanley Marrder at stan@marrder.com . Letters to the editor should be addressed to: hontweek@hondutel.hn.