Ministerial Agreement No. 076-2026 — Implementation of Digital Procedures for Licenses under the Law of Representatives, Distributors and Agents and RD-CAFTA

Whereas Article 80 of the Constitution of the Republic of Honduras establishes that every person or association of persons has the right to present petitions to the authorities either for reasons of particular or general interest and to obtain a prompt response within the legal deadline.

Whereas Article 247 of the Constitution of the Republic establishes that the Secretaries of State are collaborators of the President of the Republic in the guidance, coordination, direction and supervision of the organs and entities of the national public administration, in their area of competence.

Whereas Article 321 of the Constitution of the Republic of Honduras mandates that State Servants have no more powers than those expressly granted to them by Law. Every act they execute outside the Law is null and void and implies responsibility.

Whereas it is an attribution and duty of the Secretaries of State as provided in article 36 numeral 8) of the General Law of Public Administration to issue agreements and resolutions in matters of their competence and those delegated to them by the President of the Republic, and to ensure their execution. The signature of the Secretaries of State in these acts shall be authorized by the respective General Secretaries.

Whereas Article 118 of the Administrative Procedure Law establishes that acts of a general character issued in the exercise of regulatory authority shall have their motivation preceded by the designation of the authority that issues them and followed by the formula "AGREES".

Whereas the handling of procedures exclusively through the use of paper also generates high costs for public administration, creating inefficiencies that cause public administration to be perceived as an obstacle to the exercise of lawful activities and encouraging informal activity.

Whereas the use of technology for government management provides mechanisms for overcoming these barriers, while also potentially allowing for the emergence of more efficient and transparent public administration through the reduction of costs and distances.

Whereas through Executive Agreement PCM-086-2020 containing the Regulation on Electronic Government, published on September 26, 2022 in the Official Gazette "La Gaceta", recognizes the right of citizens to relate to the Public Administration at all its levels through electronic means and regulates the basic aspects of the use of information and communication technologies in administrative activity and establishes the legal, operational and procedural framework in which the electronic administrative procedure shall be substantiated in compliance with the mandate established in the second paragraph of article one of the Administrative Procedure Law.

Whereas in accordance with the principles of electronic government, it is necessary to continue promoting the adoption of information and communication technologies (ICT) to facilitate citizen access to government services and ensure efficient and transparent management.

Whereas on November 2, 2022, the Secretariat of Economic Development made available the SOL platform (Online Citizen Services) with the objective of carrying out 100% digital, high-quality procedures, with access to electronic services and with security mechanisms through the implementation of electronic signature, QR code, among others.

Whereas the State Secretariat in the Office of Economic Development (SDE) is implementing the digital transformation project, which has as its main objective to improve the quality of services delivered to citizens through the reconfiguration of organizational models, innovation, process optimization and implementation of new technologies.

Whereas through Decree Law No. 549 published November 24, 1977, the Law of Representatives, Distributors and Agents of National and Foreign Companies was issued.

Whereas this Ministerial Agreement aims at the implementation of new digital procedures which will allow expanding the offer of online services, providing users with the possibility of conducting their transactions in an agile and secure manner and from anywhere, thereby contributing to the continuous improvement of the quality of public service.