Honduras award AID-522-352-T · 1977 · private sector competitiveness

Provides a final report on a survey of the small industry sector in urban and rural Honduras, specifically of small entrepreneurs and their National Small Industry Association (ANPI). A profile of small entrepreneurs shows them to be individualistic (and so resistant to organization), dependent on apprenticeship and on-the-job training, and tending to gravitate to regional centers as work environs. While no reliable data is obtainable on the economic status of firms, a general lack of institutionalized support for the sector is apparent, pointing to the need for more favorable credit policies. Small industry in Honduras is for basic consumer goods in the local market and not, as ANPI often believes, for supplying of large wholesalers. The basically local character is confirmed by the easy extension of credit by small entrepreneurs and by their lackluster participation in ANPI organized trade fairs and cooperatives. A surprising discovery of the survey was that, except for wood and food products, most small industries use materials imported from outside their region, generally from wholesalers. This is an area where ANPI regional offices could provide service. ANPI provision of simp

Source: DEC abstract, PN-AAG-628 (1977). The source's own text.