WT/TPR/S/238 Trade Policy Review 
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II. TRADE POLICY REGIME:  FRAMEWORK AND OBJECTIVES 
(1) INTRODUCTION  
1. Trade policy in Belize is the responsibility of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign 
Trade although several other government agencies are responsible for specific areas, such as the 
Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Agricultu re and Fisheries, the Belize Agricultural Health 
Authority, and the Ministry of Economic Deve lopment, Commerce and Industry, and Consumer 
Protection.  Trade policy is not formally articulated in any specific document but Belize is mainstreaming trade into development plans through the Horizon 2030 initiative and through 
medium-term and sectoral strategies.   
2. Belize does not have a permanent mission in Gene va and, as a result, its participation in WTO 
meetings has been limited.  However, in the DDA negotiations, Belize shares many of its concerns 
with other members of CARICOM, the ACP group and the G-33 group.  
3. As a member of CARIFORUM, Belize has signed an Economic Partnership Agreement 
(EPA) with the EU which gives it duty and quota-fr ee access to the European Union for all exports.  
Under the EPA, the CARIFORUM countries are to remove tariffs on 87% of goods over an 
implementation period that can be as long as 25 years in some cases.  As one of the less developed 
countries in CARIFORUM, Belize has the right to rai se tariffs, subject to the approval of the Joint 
Development Committee.  Belize also benefits from preferences to the United States under the 
Caribbean Basin Initiative and to Canada under CA RIBCAN.  To early 2010, the Partial Scope 
Agreement between Belize and Guatemala entered into  force covering a limited range of products.   
4. Belize has a similar ranking to other countries in the region for ease of doing business.  
However, the ranking varies widely from one factor  to another.  Building permits, employing 
workers, paying taxes, and closing a business are all relatively straightforward, but enforcing 
contracts, protecting investors, and trading across borders are not so simple.   
(2) G
ENERAL CONSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK  
5. Belize became independent on 21 September 1981 and inherited a system of common law and 
parliamentary democracy from the United Kingdom.  The country's supreme law is the Constitution, 
which, amongst other things, sets out the responsibiliti es and functions of the main elements of the 
State.1 
6. Under the Constitution, executive authority in  Belize is vested in Her Majesty Queen 
Elizabeth II who appoints a Governor-General to re present her in Belize.  The Governor-General is 
not appointed for any fixed term but holds office " during Her Majesty's pleasure" (Article 30).  The 
powers of the Governor-General are circumscribed by the Constitution, which requires that, in the 
exercise of his functions, s/he acts "in accordance with the advice of the Cabinet" except where 
specifically provided for in the Constituti on or laws of Belize (Article 34).  
7. The Governor-General is responsible for appoin ting the Prime Minister, who is the leader of 
the political party that commands, or is most likely to command, the support of the majority of the 
House of Representatives.  On the advice of the Prime Minister, the Governor General also appoints Ministers who form the Cabinet, the pr incipal executive instrument of policy. 
                                                     
 
1 Belize Constitution Act (Chapter 2, 2000).   Viewed at:  http://www.belizelaw.org/ 
lawadmin/index2.html [June 2010]. Belize WT/TPR/S/238 
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8. Belize has a bicameral legislature, the Nationa l Assembly, which is based on the Westminster 
model.  The upper house is the Senate, whose 12 members are appointed by the Governor-General 
(6 on the advice of the Prime Minister, 3 on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and 1 each on the advice of the churches, the business communi ty, and the trades union).  The lower house has 
31 directly elected members who serve terms of up to 5 years.  The last elections were held in 
February 2008.  In a referendum held at the same  time, the majority voted to change the current 
system of appointments to the Senate in favour of elections.  The first elections to the Senate will 
occur at the same time as the next general electi on, which must take place no later than February 
2013. 
9. All legislation must be passed by the House of  Representatives.  The Senate has the right to 
reject a Bill that has been passed by the House but, in  such a case, the Bill is referred back to the 
House.  If the house passes it again,  the Bill can be presented to the Governor-General for assent even 
if the Senate rejects it a second time.  The Senate's  rights of referral are more tightly circumscribed 
when the draft legislation is a money Bill, that is  a Bill that deals exclusively with public financial 
matters (Article 80). 
10. The judicial system is independent of Govern ment and consists of local magistrates, the 
Supreme Court of Judicature and the Court of Appeal.  The judges of the Supreme Court are 
appointed by the Governor-General based on the r ecommendation of the Judicial and Legal Services 
Commission, with the agreement of the Prime Minist er.  The judges of the Court of Appeal are also 
appointed by the Governor-General based on the a pproval of the Senate and in accordance with the 
advice of the Prime Minister. 
11. Until 1 June 2010, the final appellate court was the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council 
in London.  Under the Belize Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act, 2010, from 1 June 2010, appeal 
cases will be sent to the Caribbean Court of Justice.  
(3) D
EVELOPMENT AND ADMINISTRATION OF TRADE POLICY  
12. The Directorate of Trade in the Ministry of Fo reign Affairs and Foreign Trade is responsible 
for, and has the leading role in, developing trad e policy in Belize.  The Directorate advises other 
Ministries and coordinates official positions on trad e for Belize's participation in the WTO, and in 
other trade negotiations.   
13. While the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade has the lead role in developing trade 
policy, other government agencies are responsible for specific products and/or aspects of trade: 
− Given that the main exports are agriculture products, the Ministry of Agriculture and 
Fisheries and the Belize Agriculture Health  Authority have important roles in the 
development of trade policy;  
− The Ministry of Economic Development, Commerce and Industry, and Consumer 
Protection is responsible for import licences for non-agriculture goods and, along with 
the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, for agricultural goods; 
− The Ministry of Finance and the Customs and Excise Department are responsible for 
setting and collecting taxes, including import duties and the revenue replacement duty; 
and  
− The Central Bank advises on balance-of-payme nt issues and is involved in legislation 
on offshore banking, export processing z ones, and other fiscal incentives. WT/TPR/S/238 Trade Policy Review 
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14. Although trade policy, per se , is not set out in an official document, it is reflected in a number 
of official papers on development.  The Horizon 20 30 initiative, is looking at trade in the context of 
development and is being carried out by the Mi nistry for Economic Development, Commerce and 
Industry, and Consumer Protection with funding  from the Inter-American Development Bank.  
Similarly, the Medium Term Development Strategy 2010-13 and the sectoral strategies also put trade 
in the context of overall developmen t (Chapter II.6).  Furthermore, the authorities noted that there was 
widespread agreement on the main challenges facing trade, such as the erosion of preferences for 
traditional exports, the impact of the CARIFORUM EPA  with the EU, and the need to diversify the 
country's export base.   
15. At the level of CEO in government ministries, the EPA Implementation Committee oversees 
policy-related issues associated with the implementa tion of the EPA and other trade agreements while 
the EPA Technical Committee is responsible for pr actical and technical matters related to these 
agreements. 
(4) TRADE AGREEMENTS AND ARRANGEMENTS  
(i) Multilateral agreements 
(a) World Trade Organization 
16. Belize is an original Member of the WTO and had been a contracting party to the GATT since 
1983.  As it does not have a representative in Geneva , its Embassy in Brussels is responsible for WTO 
affairs.  Thus, its participation in WTO meetings is  necessarily limited.  It shares many concerns with 
other members of CARICOM and the ACP gr oup, which are both active in Geneva.   
17. In the DDA negotiations, Belize's main inter ests have been on preference erosion and 
fisheries subsidies.  Since 2005, it has not been  active directly but, through CARICOM and the ACP 
group, it has participated in a number of proposals, particularly on the erosion of preferences in both the agriculture and the non-agriculture market access (NAMA) negotiations.  In the agriculture 
negotiations, Belize is also a member of the G- 33 group of developing countries seeking flexibility on 
market access commitments.  In both agriculture and NAMA, Belize is defined as a small vulnerable 
economy and, under the current drafts of modalities, it would be able to claim additional flexibility in 
making new commitments compared with other developing countries.
2  Belize has submitted a 
preliminary and a revised offer on services.3 
18. Since its previous Trade Policy Review in 2004, Belize has been a third party to three dispute 
settlement cases involving the EU's export subsidies for sugar, which were taken as a single case by 
Australia, Brazil, and Thailand.4  It was also a third party in the second recourse to Article 21.5 of the 
DSU on the import, sale, and distribution of bananas in the EU.5 
19. In the regular work in the WTO, Belize ha s submitted notifications, particularly on 
intellectual property and on subsidies and counter vailing measures (where it has also responded to 
questions from other Members).  However, in many areas it has not made any notifications to date 
(see Table II.1). 
                                                      
2 WTO documents TN/AG/W/4/Rev.4, 6 December 2008, and TN/MA/W/103/Rev.3, 
6 December 2008. 
3 WTO documents TN/S/O/BLZ, 11 December 2 006, and TN/S/O/BLZ/Rev.1, 28 March 2008. 
4 WT/DS265, WT/DS266 and WT/DS283. 
5 WT/DS/27. Belize WT/TPR/S/238 
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Table II.1  
Notifications to the WTO, January 2004 - June 2010 
Legal Provision Description of requirements Frequency WTO document (most recent or 
series) 
Agreement on Agriculture 
   No notification made 
Agreement on Implementation of Arti cle VI of the GATT 1994 (Anti-Dumping)  
Article 18.5 Laws and regulations No legislation G/ADP/N/1/BLZ/1, 29 July 2009 
Agreement on Balance-of-Payments 
   No notification made 
Agreement on Implementation of Article VII of  the GATT 1994 (Agreement on Customs Valuation) 
Article 22 Customs and excise duties Act, 
Chapter 48 Once G/VAL/N/1/BLZ/1, 29 May 2008 
Information on 
Implementation and 
administration of the 
Agreement on CV Responses to the checklist of 
issues Once G/VAL/N/2/BLZ/1, 26 May 2008 
 
Agreement on Government Procurement 
   No notification made 
Agreement on Import Licensing 
   No notification made 
Agreement on Information Technology Products 
   No notification made 
Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of  Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) 
Article 63.2 Laws and Regulations On ce IP/N/1/BLZ/3, 21 November 2005;   
IP/N/1/BLZ/T/5, 23 November 2005;   
IP/N/1/BLZ/T/4, 23 November 2005;   
IP/N/1/BLZ/D/4, 23 November 2005;   IP/N/1/BLZ/P/7, 24 November 2005. 
 Copyrights and related rights  No notification made 
 Trademarks Once IP/N/1/BLZ/T/4, 23 November 2005;   
IP/N/1/BLZ/T/5, 23 November 2005. 
 Geographical indications  No notification made 
 Industrial design Once IP/N/1/BLZ/D/4, 23 November 2005. 
 Patents Once IP/N/1/BLZ/P/7, 24 November 2005. 
 Layout-designs of integrated 
circuits  No notification made 
 Undisclosed information  No notification made 
 Industrial property  No notification made 
 Enforcement  No notification made 
Article 69 Contact points Once, then changes IP/N/3/Rev.11 
Agreement on Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs) 
Article XXIV:7(a) of GATT 
1994 Article V:7(a) of GATT 1994  Once, then changes S/C/N/469/Rev,1 
WT/REG255/N/1/Rev.1, 20 October 2008. 
Agreement on Rules of Origin 
   No notification made 
Agreement on Safeguards 
   No notification made 
Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures 
 Certification requirements for 
the importation of de-boned 
beef and beef products Once G/SPS/N/BLZ/1, 11 January 2007. 
Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) 
Article XXIV:7(a) of GATT 
1994 
Article V:7(a) of GATS 1994  Once, then changes S/C/N/469/Rev.1 
WT/REG255/N/1/Rev.1,  
20 October 2008. 
Agreement on State Trading Entreprises 
   No notification made 
Table II.1 (cont'd) WT/TPR/S/238 Trade Policy Review 
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Legal Provision Description of requirements Frequency WTO document (most recent or 
series) 
Agreement on Subsidies a nd Countervailing Measures 
Article 27.4 Extension of the transition 
period for the elimination of export subsidies Once G/SCM/N/114/BLZ, 2 July 2004 
Article XVI:1 of the GATT 
1994 and Article 25 Article 27.4 
 New and full notification. 
Extension of the transition period for the elimination of 
export subsidies. Once G/SCM/N/123/BLZ 
G/SCM/N/128/BLZ, 7 July 2005. 
 New and full notification. 
Extension of the transition 
period for the elimination of 
export subsidies. Updating notification. Once G/SCM/N/146/BLZ, 3 October 2006 
 
Article XVI:1 of the GATT 1994 and Article 25 Article 27.4 
 New and full notification. 
Extension of the transition period for the elimination of 
export subsidies. 
Updating notification. Once G/SCM/N/155/BLZ,  
G/SCM/N/160/BLZ, 6 July 2007 
Article 27.4 Continuation of Extension of 
the Transition Period for the 
Elimination of Export Subsidies  Once G/SCM/N/163/BLZ, 4 September 2007;  
G/SCM/N/211/BLZ, 2 September 2010 
Article XVI.1 of the GATT 
1994 
Article 25 
Article 27.4 New and full notification. 
Extension of the transition 
period for the elimination of 
export subsidies. Updating notification. Once, then changes G/SCM/N/155/BLZ/Suppl.1,  
G/SCM/N/177/BLZ, 29 July 2008 
Article 27.4 Continuation of extension of the 
transition period for the elimination of export subsidies. Once G/SCM/N/192/BLZ, 17 July 2009 
Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade 
   No notification made 
Agreement on Textiles 
   No notification made 
Agreement on Trad e and Development 
   No notification made 
Agreement on Trade-Related In vestment Measures (TRIMS) 
   No notification made 
 
Source : WTO Secretariat. 
(ii) CARICOM 
20. Belize has been a member of CARICOM since it was established by the Treaty of 
Chaguaramas, which entered into effect in Ma y 1974.  The treaty was revised in 2001 and the 
common market with a common external tariff was created.6  Within CARICOM, Belize is a less 
developed country, which entitles it to protect vulnera ble domestic industries and to receive technical 
assistance to address development needs.  All goods from other CARICOM members enter Belize 
free of duty, with some exceptions.  
21. CARICOM, has trade agreements with Colombia (signed July 1994)7, Venezuela (signed 
October 1992)8, Dominican Republic (signed August 1998)9, and Costa Rica (signed March 2004)10, 
                                                      
6 The revised Treaty of Chaguaramas is included in WT/REG155/1 of 8 July 2003. 
7 SICE online information.  Viewed at:  http:// www.sice.oas.org/Trade/caricome.asp [June 2010]. 
8 SICE online information.  Viewed at:  http: //www.sice.oas.org/Trade/ca rivex.asp [June 2010]. 
9 SICE online information.  Viewed at:  http://www.sice.oas.org/trade/ccdr/Ccdr_in.asp [June 2010]. 
10 CARICOM online information.  Viewed at:  http://www.caricom.org/jsp/secretariat/legal_ 
instruments/agreement_caricom _costa rica.pdf [June 2010]. Belize WT/TPR/S/238 
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and a trade and economic cooperation agreement with Cuba (December 2000).11  As a less developed 
country member of CARICOM, Belize is not requi red to provide preferential treatment to goods 
imported from these countries.  CARICOM is also involved in trade negotiations with MERCOSUR. 
22. In October 2008, Belize signed the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the 
European Union and CARIFORUM.12  Under the EPA, the CARIFORUM countries are to remove 
tariffs until about 87% of EU exports to the region are duty free.13  For some products, the 
implementation period can be up to 25 years.  As a less developed member of CARIFORUM, Belize is entitled to raise tariffs for an  indefinite period, subject to approval by the Joint Development 
Committee.  Like other CARIFORUM members a nd the EU, Belize may apply safeguards in the 
event that imports cause or threaten to cause:  serious  injury to the domestic industry;  disturbances in 
a sector of the economy;  or disturbances in an agriculture market.  Safeguard action may also be 
taken by a CARIFORUM State, in the event that co mpliance with the EPA were to lead to problems 
with the availability of or access to foodstuffs. 
23. Under the EPA, the EU now provides duty- and quota-free access for all products.  The only 
exceptions for the EU were for rice and sugar, wh ich were initially subject to tariff quotas.  The 
quotas were removed by end 2009 although the EU reta ins the right to apply safeguards to imports of 
sugar until 2015.  
24. In addition to trade in goods, the EPA covers: trade in services; investment;  intellectual 
property;  transparency in public procurement;  competition;  and develo pment support.  Several 
sectors, such as processing of nuclear material, trad e in arms, audiovisual services, national maritime 
cabotage, and air traffic rights are excluded.  Annex IV F of the Agreement lists limitations to market 
access and national treatment for trade in services. 
25. Exports from Belize to the United States also  qualify for preferential treatment under the 
Caribbean Basin Initiative, and exports to Canada  qualify under CARIBCAN (see Chapter IV.2).  
They also qualify for GSP treatment from several ot her countries, but practically all exports go to the 
United States or the EU. 
(iii) Bilateral agreements 
26. In June 2006, Belize and Guatemala signed a Par tial Scope Agreement that entered into force 
in early 2010.
14  Under the agreement, each party grants preferential access to a limited range of 
products from the other.  The margin of preferen ce is between 50% and 100% and is implemented 
either immediately or in equal annual instalment s over 3 or 5 years.  For exports from Belize to 
Guatemala, the agreement covers 72 tariff lines at th e HS 8-digit level, all of which were entitled to 
enter free of duty from the start of implementation,  but two products (yellow maize and black beans) 
were subject to tariff quotas.  For exports from Gu atemala to Belize, the Ag reement covers 79 tariff 
lines at the HS 8-digit level, of which 16 have a preferential margin of 50% and 14 have an 
implementation period of 3 or 5 years.  
                                                      
11 CARICOM online information.  Viewed at:  http://www.caricom.org/jsp/secretariat/legal_ 
instruments/agreement_caricom_cuba_ 2000.pdf [June 2010]. 
12 WTO notifications WT/REG255/N/1/Rev.1 and S/C/N/469/Rev.1, 24 October 2008. 
13 The CARIFORUM countries are:  Antigua and Barbuda;  Bahamas;  Barbados;  Belize;  Dominica;  
Grenada;  Guyana;  Jamaica;  Dominican Republic;  Saint Kitts and Nevis;  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines;  
Saint Lucia;  Suriname;  and Trinidad and Tobago. 
14 SICE online information.  Viewed at:  http://w ww.sice.oas.org/trade/bl z_gtm/index_e.asp [June 
2010]. WT/TPR/S/238 Trade Policy Review 
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(iv) Foreign investment regime 
27. Both the EU-CARIFORUM EPA and the Belize-Guatemala agreement contain sections on 
investment.  The Partial Scope Agreement requires each party to treat investment from the other on 
the same terms and conditions it applies to any third country.   
28. The investment provisions in the EPA are part of Title II on Investment, Trade in Services 
and E-commerce.  As for trade in services, Anne x IV F of the agreement lists limitations to 
investment, while Article 73 states that the EU and the CARIFORUM states must ensure that investment is not encouraged through any lowering or relaxing of environmen tal, labour, occupational 
health and safety legislation, core labour standards or laws aimed at protecting and promoting cultural 
diversity.   
29. Belize offers a range of incentives to encourag e investment in the form of tax breaks and 
exemptions, in particular through the Export Processi ng Zone Act and the Commercial Free Zone Act.  
In general the incentives are for manufacturing and processing of goods and services for export (see 
also Chapters III and IV). 
(5) D
OING BUSINESS  
(i) Setting up a business 
30. In order to establish a business in Belize, au thorizations are needed from various agencies 
(Table II.2).  In addition, licences are required fo r certain specific activities:  gaming;  operating 
hotels and tourist accommodation;  logging;  mini ng and quarrying;  and selling liquor.  Belize Trade 
and Investment Development Services (BELTRAI DE) (Chapter III(3)(vi)) provides advice to 
interested investors and economic operators on investment and business establishment.   
Table II.2 
Key legal requirements to esta blish a business in Belize, 2010 
Legislation Procedures 
Registration of business name  
Business Names Act Business names are registered at the Be lize Companies Registry, in Belmopan.  Application fee 
of BZ$25. 
Incorporation of company  
Companies Act Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association to be submitted to the Companies 
Registry for review.  Certificate of Incorpora tion is issued.    Application fee dependent on 
quantity of share capital.   
Trade licence  
Trade Licensing Act Trade license must be obtained from th e local city or town council.  Approval is based on the 
recommendation of the respective Trade Licensing Board .  Fees are a percentage of the annual 
rental value of the premises.   
Tax registration  
Income and Business Tax Act, 
General Sales Tax. 
 Registration for: (a) Business Tax with Income Tax Department (any business, company or self-
employed person earning over US$27,000 annually or US$2,250 mont hly);  (b) General Sales 
Tax with the GST Department (if conducting a taxable activity and annual turnover exceeds 
BZ$75,000 (US£37,500)). 
Social Security registration  
Social Security Act. Social Security Ta x at the Belize Social Security Board. 
 
Source:  Beltraide online info rmation.  Viewed at:  http://www.belizeinv est.org.bz/Flash/Cap acity/Procedures%2 
0for%20establishing%20a%20business. swf. 
31. The following forms of business ownership are permitted:  private company;  joint venture 
and cooperative;  partnership;  so le proprietor;  international business company (IBC);  trust fund and Belize WT/TPR/S/238 
 Page 21 
 
 
public investment company.15  One hundred percent foreign ownership is allowed.  Joint ventures and 
partnership investments are encouraged.   
32. There have been no changes to the law governing IBCs since Belize's previous Review.  To 
incorporate under the IBC's Act16, companies must conduct business with non-residents.  Belize 
residents may not form IBCs, nor may IBCs hold shares or debt obligations in a Belizean company.  
IBCs must maintain a registered agent and offi ce in Belize.  They are not required to disclose 
beneficial owners, and their register of share holde rs may be inspected only by shareholders.  Bearer 
shares are permitted.  An IBC may apply to be regist ered as a Public Investment Company if it fulfils 
a number of conditions relating to asset value, length of time the company has been operating in 
Belize, net income, and employment of Belizean residents.  Tax incentives available to public 
investment companies are more significant than for IBCs (Chapter III(4)(iv)).  The various fees levied 
by the Government are set out in the IBC Act (Part X). 
(ii) Taxes and ease of doing business 
33. Taxation of companies falls under the Income and Business Tax Act, as amended.  Businesses 
are required to pay a business tax, which is charge d on all receipts over a threshold, both cash and in-
kind, and, therefore, acts like a tax on turnover.17  The business tax rate depends on the type of 
business, and varies from 0.75% on the sale of fuel and lubricants to 25% withheld from management fees and some other charges paid by non-residents.  Businesses may also file returns for income tax, 
which is set at 25% on profits a bove BZ$20,000 (there is no threshold for non-residents).  In the event 
that the income tax is greater than the business tax, the excess income tax is waived.  In the event that 
the business makes a loss, the loss can be convert ed into a tax credit for business tax purposes and 
losses can be carried forward for up to five years (sev en for farmers).  The tax on petroleum profits is 
40%, payable quarterly.
18   
34. Business activities in Belize are also subject to  a number of internal taxes, including a hotel 
tax of 9% levied on all accommodation charges;  a 5% stamp duty, applied mainly on land 
transactions over US$10,000;  a land tax of 1%, based  on the unimproved value of the land;  and a 
property tax (levied by the city council in each district). 
35. According to the World Bank, Belize ranks 57th out of 183 countries for ease of paying taxes, 
principally because its total tax rate for busin ess is relatively low at just under 29% (rank 34th), and 
the time needed for a business to comply with ta x requirements is a relatively modest 147 hours.19 
36. Belize ranked 80th out of 183 countries overall, a decline from 75th place in 2009.20  T h e  
overall ranking conceals a wide variance between differe nt factors.  Construction permits were easy to 
obtain (ranking 4th), and employing workers, paying tax es, and closing a business were relatively 
straightforward.  However, Belize ranked poorly for enforcing contracts, protecting investors, and 
trading across borders.  The decline in ranking in 201 0 reflected reforms in other countries rather than 
a worsening in Belize itself.  The authorities also noted that the relatively low ranking for enforcing 
contracts (168th), was probably due to the backlog of  cases before the courts, which was being 
addressed through the appointment of new magistrates. 
                                                      
15 WTO (2004). 
16 IBC Act.  Viewed at:  (http ://www.ibcbelize.com/ibcact.php). 
17 The thresholds are BZ$75,000 for a business or trade;  BZ$20,000 for a profession or vocation;  and 
BZ$800 per month for rental receipts.  
18 Income Tax Department (2010). 
19 World Bank (2010b). 
20 World Bank (2010a). WT/TPR/S/238 Trade Policy Review 
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37. In comparison with other countries in the regi on, Belize's rankings are, for the most part, 
similar or better (Table II.3).  However, for st arting a business, protecting investors, and trading 
across borders it was not ranked as highly.  For trading across borders, Belize was ranked 117th;  
lower than other countries in the region, the main  reasons being the time and cost of importing and 
exporting goods.  The cost of exporting a cont ainer was US$1,710 and for importing one was 
US$1,870, compared with costs as low as US$730 for exporting or importing a container for others in the region.  Business sources stated that port cost s were high, while the authorities noted that the 
higher transport costs are because Belize is not on  any major trade route and goods have to be 
transhipped through intermediate ports befo re continuing to their final destination. 
Table II.3 
Doing Business in Belize and selected countries, 2010 
Rankings out of 183 economies 
 Belize Dominican 
Republic Guyana Jamaica Suriname 
Doing business 80 86 101 75 155 
Starting a business 147 107 97 19 171 
Dealing with construc tion permits 4 92 39 49 98 
Employing workers 23 97 87 39 70 
Registering property 128 112 72 122 168 
Getting credit 87 71 150 87 135 
Protecting investors 119 57 73 73 180 
Paying taxes 57 70 113 174 32 
Trading across borders 117 36 76 104 101 
Enforcing contracts 168 86 75 128 178 
Closing a business 25 146 129 23 149 
 
Source : World Bank (2010), Doing Business 2010 .  Viewed at:   http://www.doi ngbusiness.org/Documents/Country 
 Profiles/BLZ.pdf [June 2010]. 
(6) AID FOR TRADE  
(i) Overview 
38. Belize's trade performance is constrained by its limited export diversification, market 
concentration, infrastructure gaps, and a relativ ely weak system for addressing non-tariff barriers 
abroad.  Foreign investment and funding are cr ucial to overcome many of these trade-related 
constraints, as well as the further development of a more enabling domestic environment to promote 
private-sector investment in trade-related pr oductive capacity.  The Government is making 
considerable efforts to support economic growth th rough trade, by focusing on key trade-related 
growth areas such as agri-processing, touris m, non-traditional product development, and 
diversification of services exports.  Belize is taking pr oactive steps to integrate trade into its national 
development plans.  One important step is the de velopment of a national aid-for-trade (AfT) strategy 
with the assistance of the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB). 
39. AfT flows to Belize have been modest.  Belize does not qualify for grant or concessionary 
financing from international financ ial institutions and regional deve lopment banks, due to its middle-
income status.  In 2008, Belize received US$13.3 million in AfT assistance, up from the average US$9.7 million received during 2002-05.  The EU is the largest donor.  Belize is also seeking 
assistance from other partners.  
40. International financial institutions are re-e ngaging with Belize after a period of dormancy 
caused by concerns regarding its economic management  and political situation.  The signs of this re-
engagement are positive with some areas emerging wh ere investment could lead to trade expansion Belize WT/TPR/S/238 
 Page 23 
 
 
and economic growth.  In areas where AfT has been fo cused, bottlenecks to trade have been removed.  
This suggests that a more strategic approach could al low Belize to attract increased levels of financing 
for development.  IADB assistance in the developm ent of the national AfT strategy should provide a 
platform for increased donor dialogue.  The develo pment of a full World Bank country strategy might 
also help mobilize development finance,  notably for infrastructure investment. 
(ii) Mainstreaming trade into national development strategies 
(a) Horizon 2030 
41. Belize is increasingly positioning trade as a key engine for economic growth.  Its long-term 
national development framework po licy (Horizon 2030) will include a section on the role of trade in 
supporting the country's development.  Horizon 2030 aims to establish a series of long-term 
development goals, targets, and indicators, which will guide all stakeholders in the development, 
implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of long-term and intermediate programmes, and 
Government's long- and medium -term development strategies.21  The consultation process with 
interested stakeholders under Horizon 2030 is ongoing.  
42. Horizon 2030 commits the Government to polic ies that promote macroeconomic stability as a 
means to reinvigorate growth.  The focus will be on attracting and mobilizing resources to support 
agriculture and tourism, which are considered the ma in growth industries.  In the inception report for 
the strategy, the dismantling of trade barriers is  presented as an opportunity for non-traditional 
industries to gain access to global markets.  Regi onal integration initiativ es, such as the CARICOM 
Single Market and Economy, are seen as mechanisms  that can offer new trading opportunities for 
Belize's goods and services. 
(b) Medium-Term Development Strategy 2010-13 
43. In March 2010, the Ministry of Economic  Development, Commerce and Industry and 
Consumer Protection completed, a Medium-Term Development Strategy 2010-13 entitled "Building 
Resilience Against Social, Economic and Physical Vulnerabilities".  The Strategy presents a "whole 
of economy" approach to Belize's development, incl uding through the integration of a trade focus.  
The medium-term strategy provides an over-arching reflection of the Government’s trade-related 
priorities and trade-related needs.  The five key areas in the plan are: 
− Enterprise development:  support for deve lopment of traditional and emerging 
industries and expansion of SMEs and micro-enterprises; 
− International trade capacity and competitiv eness:  measures to increase market access 
 through better negotiating capacity, im provements in quality management and 
certification capacity; 
− Environment and disaster risk Management:  ensuring decent living conditions and 
income through the sustainable use of natural resources; 
− Human development:  investment in educati on, health and social safety nets;  and 
− National and citizen security:  improved borde r security and reduced levels of crime. 
                                                      
21 Government of Belize online information "Preparing Horizon 2030:  A Development Framework for 
Belize".  Viewed at:  http://www.belize. gov.bz/public/Attachment/02810244171.PDF. WT/TPR/S/238 Trade Policy Review 
Page 24 
 
 
(c) Sectoral strategies  
44. Belize has a number of sectoral strategies that seek to enhance the role of trade in economic 
development.  It is expected that these plans, which are at various stages of completion, will position trade policy as a tool to increase productivity and gr owth prospects in the respective industries.  For 
example, the Belize Tourism Board's National Sustainable Tourism Master Plan
22, which is currently 
under preparation and is expected to be complete d by mid 2011, makes reference to the promotion of 
community tourism utilizing a supply value chain approach incorporating SMEs.  Tourism is a 
potential growth industry in Belize.  Moreover, th ere are linkages that can be strengthened between 
the tourism industry and the upgrading of transport co rridors and trade-related infrastructure, such as 
airports and cruise ship docking facilities.   
45. The Belize Bureau of Standards Strategic Plan  for 2010-15 recognizes that TBT issues have 
to be further integrated within the Government's  trade and tourism policy and that TBT compliance 
can provide trade advantages for Belizean products a nd services in international markets.  The Plan 
has identified the lack of a laboratory, equipment,  and legislation as key constraints for the more 
effective implementation of TBT-related activities.  
46. Belize's National Poverty Elimination Strate gy (NPES) 2007-11, affirms the relationship 
between improving economic diversification and competitiveness in traditional exports and 
supporting poverty alleviation.  The NPES encourages the developmen t of diversified agricultural 
production within a viable macroeconomic framework  as an avenue to sustainable development.  
Belize has mainstreamed trade within its Nationa l Poverty Elimination Strategy, emphasizing the 
important linkages for a small economy, of the nexus  between poverty, investment for trade-related 
activities, and economic growth.  This is further reaf firmed by the elaboration of economic pillars for 
growth and infrastructure as a means to support poverty reduction.  
47. The Customs and Excise Plan, which runs through 2011, focuses on security issues (due to 
the urgent need to face border pr oblems such as contraband) but it also covers trade facilitation 
aspects and the modernization of customs practices.  
(iii) Supply-side and infrastructure constraints 
48. In its response to the 2009 AfT questionnaire for the 2nd Global Review, Belize indicated that 
its priorities were trade facilitation, export diversif ication, and regional integration.  Belize expressed 
the view that "export diversification was alread y happening" with the development of many non-
traditional areas such as papaya production and fish farming.  There was also recognition that the 
services sector required further diversification. 
49. During Belize's 2009-10 budget discussion, the role  of trade-related support as a means to 
improve and increase productivity was referenced.  A number of issues were highlighted, including:  
the importance of support to agriculture through th e development of a long-term development strategy 
for the sector, including the strengthening of extension services and the elimination of taxes on 
fertilizers and other agricultural inputs;  support to  tourism through additional resources for tourism 
marketing;  and support for small and medium-si zed enterprise development through equitable access 
to incentives and improved access to financing.  AFT can play a key role in all of these areas.  
50. Belize's Medium-Term Development Strategy 2010-13 provides a platform for the 
articulation of AfT-related needs and priorities and il lustrates some of the key constraints that Belize 
                                                      
22 STP on line information.  Viewed at:  http:// www.sustainabletourismbz.org /news-releases/national-
sustainable-tourism-master-plans-kicks-off.html. Belize WT/TPR/S/238 
 Page 25 
 
 
continues to face.  Belize's trade-related constraint s, and hence AfT needs, are primarily related to 
infrastructure support, productive capacity, and th e need for more accessible levels of domestic 
finance for its producers and traders.  A further el aboration of some of the key areas where aid for 
trade can assist Belize, based on their iden tified constraints, is provided below. 
(a) High cost of finance 
51. Access to affordable trade finance is a persiste nt problem in Belize (Box II.1).  This has had 
implications for the ability of producers to divers ify and gain access to export markets.  Addressing 
this issue will be critical to creating a basis for private-sector-led growth, which remains weak and 
relatively underdeveloped.  The scarcity of accessi ble domestic trade finance may be related to 
underdeveloped linkages between domestic banks and the international financial markets and 
international financial institutions.  The Atlantic Bank has become th e first bank in Belize to join the 
World Bank's Global Trade Finance Programme.  This positive step should assist the bank in 
increasing short-term trade financing for SMEs and allow for a more diversified source of funding for 
export financing.23   
52. The Government is also seeking to address the high cost of financing through the 
revitalization of its Development Finance Corporation.   This agency aims to provide development and 
trade finance to traders, especially SMEs, at rates lower than the commercial rates.  It also hopes to 
move into the issuance of credit notes and the provision of technical assistance and training to producers.  The Caribbean Development Bank has pr ovided financial assistance to the Development 
Finance Corporation.   
Box II.1:  The private sector and trade related constraints 
The Ministry of Trade has held consultations with small, medium and micro producers in the six districts of 
Belize to identify bottlenecks to trade.   
The main constraint identified was "prohibitively" high  borrowing rates.  Additional constraints included:  
limited market intelligence;  expensive costs of business development;  the need to move up the supply value-added chain;  expensive inputs, such as pesticides and chemical additives;  need for technical 
assistance;  inadequate infrastructure, such as feeder  and access roads to allow movement of products;  and 
the need for storage facilities for products.   
The Chamber of Commerce identified SPS, quality, and standards as key areas where assistance was 
required, as well as the development of agri-processing, branding and labelling, and the development of a 
niche market in organic production.  
In the area of trade facilitation, the private sector ex pressed concern with the high costs of port charges 
(resulting in very expensive shipping costs) and the consequent negative impact on exporting activities.  
Source:  Information provided by the private sector in connection with the March 2010 TPR Mission to 
 Belize. 
(b) Trade-related infrastructure 
53. Addressing the infrastructure deficit in Belize w ould allow it to take fully advantage of its 
potential as a regional agriculture producer and expor ter, and as a growing tourist destination.  
                                                      
23 International Finance Corporation Press Release,  23 March 2010.  Viewed at:  http://www.ifc.org/ 
ifcext/lac.nsf/Content/SelectedPR?OpenDocument&UNID=5B43CD185C49215F852576EF0061989E. WT/TPR/S/238 Trade Policy Review 
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Investment is needed to develop and rehabilitate physical infrastructure, replace and build bridges, 
improve highway networks, impr ove drainage and feeder roads, and develop solid-waste 
management. 
54. Belize's geographical position creates opportunitie s for the development of tourism as a 
source of economic growth.  It could become involve d in a number of related regional initiatives (the 
Central American production and supply chain, incl uding a regional tourism supply chain, especially 
through the Central American Integration System (SICA), the Plan Puebla Panama, and the recently 
ratified Belize/Guatemala Partial Scope Agreemen t).  Its political-economic relations with the 
Caribbean allow it to use the CSME and other regi onal integration initiatives to enhance its economic 
links with the rest of CARICOM.  To fully take advantage of these opportunities, Belize will need to 
enhance its trade-related infrastructure, esp ecially as it relates to market connectivity. 
(c) Trade facilitation 
55. The cost of doing business in Belize is considered  to be consistent with the regional average, 
but it is significantly more costly and takes more time to export from Belize than from the Dominican 
Republic, for example, and costs significantly more to export than from Suriname.24  The authorities 
indicated that this was due to higher costs in Beli ze in areas such as telecommunications, energy, and 
shipping.  There is a need for assistance to confr ont regulatory bottlenecks, especially in customs and 
border procedures.  Belize has identified the mode rnization of Customs and the implementation of 
more automated systems as key to addressi ng these problems and facilitating trade.   
56. Key areas for assistance include the development of adequate storage facilities for agricultural 
produce before exportation;  enhancement of the risk-management system and development of post-
clearance audit procedures, and the development of  a National Enforcement Plan that would address 
risk management and capacity building. 
(d) Productive capacity 
57. Belize has begun the process of diversifying away from traditional agricultural products.  It is 
exploring the development of non-traditional agricu lture and marine products such as shrimp, fish, 
papayas, beans, and live animals.  Investment is  needed in the agri-processing sector to develop new 
products (new crops such as "w inter crops" and niche products such as organic production), and 
improve the level of crop production.  There is a need for greater investment in aquaculture to 
increase production and export of seafood, including the introduction of new value-added products.  
The expansion of land-based and caged fish farm ing would also increase to expand Belize's export 
potential in this sector.  
58. The Government has expressed a need for:  increased trade negotiating capacity on SPS 
issues, the improvement of quality assurance and certification procedures, the establishment of an accredited laboratory for plant- and animal-health -related activities, and the development of a 
traceability system to allow for increased exports of cattle to Mexico and poultry to the EU market.  
An effective SPS system in Belize is critical  for the development of new export products. 
59. Belize has identified tourism as a key growth sect or, but substantial assistance is required in 
infrastructure, including upgrading the internationa l airport and assessing the viability of a cruise-ship 
docking facility.  The establishment of a tourism suppl y value chain, through the promotion of a small 
business competitiveness project to improve capac ity of local businesses to deliver high-quality 
tourism goods, would require investment in produc tive capacity and regulatory reform.  Additional 
                                                     
 
24 World Bank (2010a). Belize WT/TPR/S/238 
 Page 27 
 
 
areas identified by the Government in its Mid-Te rm Development Strategy, where tourism can be 
used to increase economic growth and promote sustainable development, are the promotion of agri-eco-cultural tourism development, and the estab lishment of tourism-rela ted transport linkages 
between Mexico and Belize.   
(iv) Aid for trade support to Belize 
60. Historically, Belize has not been a priority co untry for international donors and this, coupled 
with its inability to access grant funding at the mu ltilateral level as a result of its middle-income 
status, has meant that official development assistance  (ODA) and aid-for-trade flows have been small.  
In 2008, Belize received US$21.7 million in ODA, a slight increase over 2007 (Table II.4).  Of this, 
US$13.3 million was for AfT (constant 2008 prices), an increase over the US$9.7 million average 
during 2002-05, and substantially greater than in 2007 (US$3.4 million). 
Table II.4 
Official development assistance to Belize, 2006-08 
(US$ million, at constant 2008) 
  2006 2007 2008 
Total ODA 19.6 21.3 21.7 
Sector allocable 19.6 20.4 21.1 
AfT  13.8 3.4 13.3 
 
Source : OECD CRS Database. 
61. In 2008, economic infrastructure received the largest share of AfT assistance, primarily as a 
result of a US$12.9 million road transport project from th e EU (Table II.5).  In 2007, the vast majority 
of AfT assistance was focused on building produc tive capacity in the agriculture sector.  
Table II.5 
Sector-specific breakdown of aid-for -trade commitments for Belize, 2002-08  
(US$ million, at constant 2008) 
Sector 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 
Transport and storage n.a. n.a. 0.03 0.01 5.64 n.a. 12.98 
Communications n.a. 0.13 0.2 0.26 0.18 0.1 n.a. 
Banking and financial services n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. 0.03 n.a. n.a. 
Business and other services n.a. n.a. n.a. 0.02 n.a. n.a. n.a. 
Agriculture 16.59 5.47 0.08 14.72 7.88 3.13 0.21 
Fishing n.a. 0.07 0.08 0.22 0.03 n.a. n.a. 
Industry 0.29 0.11 0.14 0.06 n.a. 0.18 0.06 
Trade policies and regulations n.a. n.a. n.a. 0.03 n.a. n.a. n.a. 
Tourism n.a. 0.02 0.1 0.02 n.a. n.a. 0.01 
Total 16.88 5.8 0.63 15.34 13.76 3.41 13.26 
 
n.a. Not applicable 
 
Source : OECD QWIDS database. 
62. Belize also receives financial assistance fro m bilateral donors.  South-south assistance has 
been provided through grants by Chinese Taip ei and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.25  Belize 
                                                      
25 As reported in the 2009-10 Budget Presentation by the Prim e Minister, Belize received grant 
assistance of US$50 million from Chinese Taipei (for agri-processing activities) and US$20 million from the 
Bolivarian Republic of Venezu ela (for social projects) in  2008.  The value of this assistance is not reported WT/TPR/S/238 Trade Policy Review 
Page 28 
 
 
also benefited from trade-related technical assistance and training programmes from Brazil, Chile, 
Costa Rica, the EU, Japan, Mexico, Chinese Taipei, and the United States.  Assistance has been 
forthcoming from the CARICOM Petroleum Fund26 (US$9 million), which is used for financing road 
and street rehabilitation, and from OPEC for infr astructure development under the Southside Project 
in Belize City.  Chinese Taipei has entered into a grant-based co-financing arrangement with Beltraide 
to diversify and increase exports in the agriculture sector.27 
63. The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the Inter-American Development Bank have 
traditionally been Belize's largest financiers.  The World Bank has recently re-engaged with Belize 
after a period of inactivity.  The IADB is assisti ng Belize in the development of a national aid-for-
trade strategy, and is preparing a technical c ooperation programme to support trade facilitation and 
implementation of trade agreements (Box II.2).  The IADB is also working with Belize on an agricultural lending operation, which includes a significant SPS component.  Many United Nations agencies, such as UNDP, UNICEF, and PAHO carry  out targeted technical assistance activities.
28  
The Republic of Korea, though the IADB Inter Am erican Investment Corporation (IIC) has also 
provided assistance in grant form to improve SME competitiveness, and Japan, through JICA, has 
provided grant assistance for training SMEs in quality management standards to improve 
competitiveness.  In terms of bilateral donors, the EU  remains the largest provider of grant aid (Table 
II.6).  
Box II.2:  IADB assistance to develop a national AfT strategy 
In addition to recent agricultural refo rm projects, the IADB is working w ith the Government to develop an 
aid-for-trade strategy that provides the framework fo r activities related to key sectors of the economy.  The 
Strategy will:  guide the Government in the identifi cation of priorities;  improve coordination between 
ministries;  design a monitoring and evaluation mechan ism, create an action matrix of prioritized activities 
and initiate a dialogue with donors and investors, whether local or foreign.   The Strategy will provide a tool 
for identifying challenges and mobilizing government and/or donor support for remedial actions.  This 
process is a collaborative joint effort between the Government, the IADB, and the WTO, which ensures 
ownership and sustainability at the country level. 
As a complement to this activity, and in response to two identified areas for reform, the Bank is working 
with the Government of Belize to develop a plan of action and potential projects in the area of trade 
facilitation and logistics;  and to support the elabora tion of a communications strategy for raising awareness 
on the benefits of trade and investment agreements. 
Source :  Information provided by the IADB in the context of this TPR. 
64. Belize's budget presentation for 2009-10, in re ferencing the key areas in which it requires 
financial support, further identified an overall fi nancial requirement of BZ$123.1 million (US$ 63 
million) which would be met from already secured sources of financing, including a drawdown of 
approximately US$28.8 million in project-relate d loans already committed for the Capital III 
                                                                                                                                                                     
multilaterally.  Government of Belize online info rmation.  Viewed at:  http://www.belize.gov.bz/ 
public/Data/0315 15591071.PDF. 
26 This is a CARICOM Secret ariat administered fund financed by the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago 
to support the OECS and Belize. 
27 Belize Trade and Investment Development Se rvice online information.  Viewed at:  
http://www.belizeinvest.org.bz/. 
28 Under the UNDP, a United Nations Developmen t Assistance Framework (UNDAF) 2007-11 was 
prepared in which priorities included:  (i) poverty  elimination, (ii) HIV and AIDS reduction, and (iii) 
improvement in sustainabl e development practices. Belize WT/TPR/S/238 
 Page 29 
 
 
Programme29;  a drawdown of US$7.5 million from a new IADB Social-Fiscal Policy Based Loan;  a 
drawdown of US$20 million from a new Chinese Ta ipei Budget Support Loan, and domestic 
financing equivalent to US$5.2 million drawn from ba lances in the Petrocaribe Fund.  Grant funding 
is expected to be provided:  under the EU ED F programme;  from the CDB under the Basic Needs 
Trust Fund Programme;  the United Kingdom's Co mmonwealth Debt Initiative Programme;  and the 
Petrocaribe Fund.   
Table II.6 
Donor operations 
Donor Overview 
World Bank The World Bank has recently re-engaged with Belize afte r a period of inactivity due to concerns regarding 
the country's economic management.  The February 2009 World Bank (IBRD) Interim Strategy Note (ISN) 
aims to re-establish the Bank as a development pa rtner through delivery of Analytical and Advisory 
Activities (AAA) and investment lending (US$15 million)  at the specific request of the government, as 
part of its efforts to mobilize low-cost multilateral fi nancing and avoid costly commercial borrowing.  The 
proposed Bank programme is built around three pillars:  (i) reduce vulnerabilities and support sustainable 
livelihoods;  (ii) strengthen governance and accountability;  and (iii) address critical infrastructure needs to 
support economic development.  The ISN recognizes that Belize has several high-potential sectors for 
investment, including agriculture and agri-processing, t ourism, aquaculture, and forestry-based industries, 
but that Belize must address its trade and physical in frastructure bottlenecks that  lower the competitiveness 
of key sectors, and the high cost of, and limited access to, finance, which impedes private investment.  The 
ISN concludes that the high cost of finance is th e key binding constraint to growth and a significant 
impediment to doing business. 
Inter-American Development Bank The Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) has recently recommenced lending and trade capacity 
building activities with Belize.  In its May 2009 IDB Country Strategy Document (2008-12), the focus is 
on ensuring sound fiscal management and transparency;  restoring private-sector-led growth;  improving 
human resource development and social protection;   strengthening enviro nmental management and 
rehabilitation of basic infrastructure.  It builds on the 2004-08 IADB strategy where private-sector-led 
growth was the central focus.  The high cost of domestic finance is positioned as one of the key constraints 
to growth, hence the importance of encouraging a nd sourcing FDI for investment in the tourism, 
agriculture, and petroleum sectors.  The IADB is al so working with Belize on an aid-for-trade national 
strategy, which is expected to be completed by September 2010.  
Caribbean Development 
Bank The Caribbean Development Bank has been increasing its trade-related assistance to Belize through its 
support for the Development Finance Corporation;  the provision of seed money for access to credit 
programmes offered by the government to students, en trepreneurs, and small farmers;  funds for the 
modernization of the financial law and regulations;  and the development of an institutional framework for 
conducting economic management.  Grant funding is  provided under the Basic Needs Trust Fund 
Programme. 
European Union The EU is the largest provider of gr ants to Belize, primarily in the ag riculture and transport and storage 
sectors.  An increase in EU aid is expected through the Tri-annual EDF programme and the Special 
Banana and Sugar Industry Support Programmes. 
 
Source : World Bank Interim Strategy Note, IADB Country Strategy document, and the Caribbean Development Bank 
Basic Needs Trust Fund Programme. 
65. The EU remains Belize's main aid for tr ade donor (Chart II.1).  The United States , Canada, 
Finland, Japan, and Chinese Taipei have also committed AfT funds to Belize.  
 
 
 
                                                      
29 Capital III programmes are externally funded, while Capital II are locally funded. WT/TPR/S/238 Trade Policy Review 
Page 30 
 
 
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%
2006 2007 2008Other US EUChart II.1
Main Donors
Source:  OECD CRS database. CRS stands for Creditor Reporting System 
 
66. Although Belize has received relatively low AfT a ssistance so far, this has already had a 
positive impact on its ability to export (Box II.3).  The EU Special Framework of Assistance for 
bananas was effective in improving the relative co mpetitiveness of the banana industry.  This was 
done through the provision of technical assistance, st ock supplies, infrastructure and land preparation, 
which led to an increase in yield production per acreage.  Another example of a successful AfT 
intervention was the modernization of the Agricultu re Health and Food Safety Authority through an 
IADB loan.  This was used to modernize procedur es and facilitate the Authority's recognition as the 
competent body in Belize, leading to increased market access for shrimp to the EU, U.S. and 
Canadian markets. Belize WT/TPR/S/238 
 Page 31 
 
 
Box II.3:  Aid for trade in action:  The Papaya industry 
In response to an infestation of Mediterranean fru it fly (Medfly) in 1987, the U.S. authorities declared 
Belize an infested area, and therefore ineligible for export.  Due to the lack of a national surveillance 
programme, exports of papaya were suspended.  Considerable investments were lost and plans to diversify into non-traditional exports were threatened.   
The incident encouraged the Beli zean authorities to look for a long-t erm solution in collaboration with 
international partners, including the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the United States 
Department of Agriculture (USDA).  A Comprehensiv e Surveillance Programme was established in 1989, 
and complementary capacity was developed in eradica tion and certification.  Substantial resources were 
also invested in the creation of the Belize Agriculture Health Author ity (BAHA), which brought together 
all activities related to inspection, quarantine, and cer tification activities related to food safety, and animal 
and plant health.  
These investments and efforts yielded considerable bene fits. Belize is currently the only country in Central 
America to be officially recognized as free of Medfly.  As a consequence, the quantity and value of papaya 
exports have grown significantly.  The papaya industry now generates some BZ$30 million in revenues and 
employs more than 1,000 workers directly.  The Government has estimated that BZ$1 spent on the Medfly programme generates direct or indirect benefits of up to BZ$140.  Based on the success with the papaya 
industry, efforts are under way to expand exports of  other commodities, such as hot peppers, guava, and 
pitahaya.   
01020304050607080
2000
2001 2002 2003 2004 20052006
2007
2008
Year0510152025303540Million of pounds BZ dollars million
Papaya ValueChart II.2
Amount and value of papaya exports
Source: Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF), and Belize Agricultural Health Authority. 
 
 
(v) Outlook for aid for trade in Belize 
67. Aid-for-trade commitments to Belize in 2008 we re substantially higher than in 2007 and the 
2002-05 average.  This is partly attributable to EU support for infrastructure projects in 2008.  The 
World Bank and the IADB have re-eng aged with Belize, with the IADB  playing a key role in helping 
Belize to develop a national Aid-for-Trade strategy.  This strategy is expected to be concluded in 
2010.  The World Bank is also expected to de velop a fully-fledged country strategy paper. WT/TPR/S/238 Trade Policy Review 
Page 32 
 
 
68. Belize's mainstreaming of trade, and its prior itization of aid-for-trade are positive elements.  
The in-progress national aid-for-trade  strategy, coupled with the centrality given to trade as a engine 
of economic growth in the Medium Term Deve lopment Strategy for 2010-13 and the upcoming 
Horizon 2030 development strategy are all clear examples of the importance Belize places on 
enhancing the role of trade in its economic development.  It is criti cal that the national aid-for-trade 
strategy is mainstreamed within the Horizon 2030 as the provision of future aid-for-trade flows may 
likely be based on bilateral and multilateral donors in terface with that development strategy.  Given 
Belize's middle-income status, flows of ODA are unlik ely to increase substantially in the future.  
However, Belize's trade mainstreaming and articulat ion of its trade-related capacity building needs 
may attract greater non-concessional financing and serve  to leverage other forms of finance, including 
domestically generated private finance, to  address the trade-related constraints.