A million-dollar project to promote ecological, tourism, agricultural and archeological development in western Honduras, in the area bordering Guatemala, was recently approved by the BCIE, the Central American Economic Integration Bank, as part of a bilateral plan between the two nations. Armida López, one of the three vice-presidents of Honduras and in charge of the development of the country's border zones, told Tierramérica that the funds total some five million dollars and are part of a loan that is intended “to cushion the impact of poverty along the borders, as well as promoting plans for sustainable development and environmental protection.”

“We hope to benefit more than 3,500 families located in the three border departments: Cortés, Copán and Santa Bárbara,” she said.