Document Actions
Belize
Quick Facts
|
Government
- Governor General - Colville YOUNG, Sir
- Prime Minister - Dean O. BARROW
- Dep. Prime Minister - Gaspar VEGA
- Min. of Agriculture & Fisheries - Rene MONTERO
- Min. of Economic Development, Commerce and Industry, and Consumer Protection - Erwin CONTRERAS
- Min. of Education - Patrick FABER
- Min. of Finance - Dean BARROW
- Min. of Attorney General and Foreign Affairs & Foreign Trade - Wilfred ELRINGTON
- Min. of Health - Pablo MARIN
- Min. of Housing and Urban Development - Michael FiINNEGAN
- Min. of Human Development & Social Transformation - Eden MARTINEZ
- Min. of Labour, Local Government and Rural Development - Gabriel MARTINEZ
- Min. of National Security - Carlos PERDOMO
- Min. of Natural Resources & the Environment - Gaspar VEGA
- Min. of Public Service, Governance Improvement and Elections & Boundaries - John SALDIVAR
- Min. of Public Utilities, Transport, Communications and National Emergency Management - Melvin HULSE
- Min. of State - Elvin PENNER
- Min. of Tourism and Civil Aviation - Manuel HEREDIA
- Min. of Youth, Sports and Culture - Marcel CARDONA
- Min. of Works - Anthony "Boots" MARTINEZ
- Senior Minister -
- Attorney General - Wilfred ELRINGTON
- Governor, Central Bank -
- Ambassador to the US -
- Permanent Representative to the UN, New York -
Public Holidays: New Year's Day (01 January); Baron Bliss Day (09 March); Good Friday; Holy Saturday; Easter Monday; Labour Day (02 May); Sovereign's Day (24 May); National Day (10 September); Independence Day (21 September); Columbus Day (12 October); Garifuna Settlement Day (19 November); Christmas Day (25 December); Boxing Day (26 December)
Economic Development
Economic Survey of the Caribbean 2007-2008
The survey provides an overview of the economic performance of countries of the Caribbean Development and Cooperation Committee (CDCC) for the year 2007 and their outlook for 2008. The last chapter presents country briefs with the main macroeconomic developments in 2007 and the outlook for 2008.
Growth momentum slowed in Belize during 2007, following more dynamic activity in the two previous years. Real output increased by 1.6%, following growth of 5.3% in 2006. Growth was compressed by lower output and exports in the critical agriculture sector, which was buffeted by Hurricane Dean, while value added in services picked up.
Despite the slowdown in activity and reflecting the strong pass-through of import prices, inflation rose to 4.1%, relative to 3.0% in 2006. Reflecting the hike in international oil prices and poorer harvests in various countries, inflation was largely driven by higher fuel and food prices. Unemployment posted a decline for the fourth consecutive year, as primary, secondary and tertiary activity all registered high job growth.
External accounts weakened in 2007, as a consequence of reduced commodity trade volumes due to hurricane damage and insect infestation in sugar and bananas and reduced marine and other exports.
Performance for 2006
Main Sources:Economic Review September 2006, Belize: 2006 Article IV Consultation—Staff Report; Public Information Notice on the Executive Board Discussion; and Statement by the Executive Director for Belize, and Budget Presentation for Fiscal Year 2007/08
Link: Central Bank of Belize Recent Publications
Overall Performance
Belize’s economic growth decelerated in the years of 2005 and 2006. Owed to the tightening of monetary and fiscal policies, this economic protraction was intentionally set, as the country implemented a stabilization policy in 2005 instead of their usual expansionary type.
Authorities tightened liquidity by channeling social security deposits; where fiscal discipline was maintained through lower interest payments and cuts in capital expenditure. Current account management also helped decrease the external account deficit to 8 ½ % of GDP in 2006 compared to the 14 % in 2005. Tourism receipts also seemed to pick up, as this sector registered a stronger value than last year’s.SourceIMF Executive Board Concludes 2006 Article IV Consultation with Belize
Fiscal and Current Account Situation
Depletion of fiscal deficits in 2005 and 2006 could pose some harm to the Belizean economy in 2007. Reason being, the low taxes and cheap credit provided by the private sector in 1999 perpetuated large fiscal and current account imbalances, thus creating financial dependence on external creditors. The economy must now look at servicing financial gaps within both the fiscal and Balance of Payments sectors. The IMF’s staff appraisal [Belize: 2006 Article IV Consultation—Staff Report; Public Information Notice on the Executive Board Discussion; and Statement by the Executive Director for Belize] states : “The medium-term framework would need to include a combination of additional fiscal effort, continued monetary restraint, bilateral and multilateral financing, and relief from the envisaged debt operation. The latter is a key element in the government’s plan to put public finances on a sustainable basis, and the authorities should seek to reach a cooperative agreement with private creditors.
Public Debt
Stabilization policies created a substantial amount of positive results for the Belizean economy, yet the worrisome task of servicing the country’s public debt is first on the agenda for 2006/07 fiscal year.
As of June 30, 2006, Belize’s public and publicly guaranteed debt stood at 1,088 million (93.5 percent of GDP). The main structural characteristics of this debt follows:
The overwhelming majority of the public and publicly guaranteed debt is owed to external creditors and denominated in foreign currency. As of June 2006, external creditors held over 90 percent of total debt (86 percent of GDP). All external debt is foreign currency denominated and unhedged. The small amount of domestic public debt consists mainly of loans and treasury bills and notes by banks. The marginal relevance of domestic debt reflects the underdevelopment of Belize’s domestic financial markets.
Commercial creditors hold more than 60 percent of the external public debt. The remainder of the external debt is held by multilateral creditors (23 percent), mainly CDB and IADB; bilateral creditors (16 percent), mainly Taiwan Province of China; and export credit (1 percent).
Social Development
2005 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices (Western Hemisphere)
All men and women desire and deserve to live in dignity and liberty. As President Bush said: "The advance of freedom is the great story of our time." Promoting human rights and democracy is a worldwide phenomenon and there is a growing global discussion of democracy and the universal values protected by democratic governance.
By defending and advancing human rights and democratic principles, we keep faith with our country’s most cherished values and lay the foundation for lasting peace. Fulfilling the promise of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and building vibrant democracies worldwide will take generations, but it is work of the utmost urgency that cannot be delayed.
Source:US Dept. of State
Public Sector Reform: charting the way forward 2000 and beyond
Public Service records reveal that consultants to the Government of Belize submitted numerous reports comprising recommendations for Public Service Reform on several occasions prior to, and subsequent to, Independence in 1981. The latest such Report to Government, containing recommendations for Public Service Reform is the Political Reform Commission Report submitted in January, 2000.
The main objective of all such recommendations for ‘Reform’ has always been to satisfy the demand by Belizeans for Public Service delivery that is timely, efficient and proficient.
Reform, then, must also contribute to Government’s capacity to govern with authority under the ‘Laws of Belize’ i.e. the principles and regulations applicable to the public, whether by legislation or by custom, that are enforced by judicial decision.
Source: Government of Belize
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL REPORT 2006 - BELIZE
There were reports of police abuse and use of excessive force. Eight people remained on death row. Children were subject to a wide range of human rights abuses.
Background
There were strikes and riots in January and April as a result of public anger over the economy. The government expressed a desire to change the Constitution in order to accept the jurisdiction of the Caribbean Court of Justice as the final court of appeal in Belize, replacing the Privy Council.
Death penalty One person was sentenced to death in 2005. In 2004 two death sentences were passed, but no executions were carried out. At the end of 2005, eight people were held on death row. There had been no executions since 1985.
Abuses by policeThere were several reports of abuses by police, including torture, ill-treatment and arbitrary detention. Three men, a father and his two sons, were arrested separately in July, on suspicion of withholding evidence related to a bank robbery. All three were reportedly beaten and subjected to electric shock torture before being released without charge.
Children
The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child expressed a number of concerns about abuses of children in Belize in its Concluding Observations issued in 2005, although it acknowledged that the government had made some efforts to remedy the situation. Concerns included: corporal punishment of children; discrimination against vulnerable groups of children; children without birth registration and nationality; the lack of access of non-registered children to services such as education and health; and the generally violent environment in which many Belizean children live.
Source:Amnesty International
Education
In 2004, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports held a three day National Education Summit where over 1200 participants conferred with each other on the necessary improvements for Belize’s education system. Hundreds of recommendations were made. Ministry staff and experienced educators considered these recommendations and devised a strategy for educational development in the country.
This blueprint, referred to as the Ministry of Education Action plan 2005-2010, encompasses many key elements of the educational system. They include 1. Early childhood education 2. Teacher training 3. Adult and continuing education 4. Curriculum review and assessment 5. Special Education 6. Technical and Vocational Education 7. Higher Education 8. Policy Development. While most of these improvements had a scheduled deadline between 2005 and 2010, some are expected to be completed in 2015.Realising the importance of higher education, the ministry held a National Tertiary Education Conference in September 2006. The plans for tertiary education include improved financing and infrastructure and a sustainable loan programme so that tertiary education will be available to all.
Improvements in primary school education include a textbook programme which will provide primary school students with free textbooks in five core areas. This programme is scheduled for a September 2007 start.MINISTRY OF EDUCATION ACTION PLAN 2005 – 2010
Budget Presentation 2007-2008
Keynote Address by Minister of Education
Belize Medical School
Environment
Belize is located in Central America. The country boasts a verdant forest and a coral reef since it is bordered by the Caribbean Sea on its eastern side and the Mayan Forest on the other. The Maya Mountain Marine Corridor (MMMC) which encompasses the country’s tropical rainforests, coastal wetlands, mangrove forests and coral reef has one of the world’s greatest collections of biodiversity. The Mayan forest is home to over 220 tree species and 350 species of birds. The country also possesses the largest barrier reef in the Western hemisphere, the Meso-American Reef which is second only to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef in world ranking. The presence of over 500 species of fish has been recorded in the reef. This array of natural splendour helps to generate tourism. The government of Belize and many NGOs such as Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT) and the Nature Conservancy understand the importance of protecting the country’s natural treasures from degradation caused by economic and agricultural development and tourism. Over 40% of Belize’s total land area is protected. The protected areas of Belize extend beyond the forested areas and the reef. There are archaeological reserves such as Cahal Pech and Caracol which are protected by the Ancient Monuments & Antiquities Act. Belize is also home to the world’s only jaguar sanctuary. This protection and conservation ensures that these areas continue to perform their ecological, social, economic and cultural purposes.
The Belize Department of Environment works to educate the public and tourists about issues relating to the preservation and sustainability of the environment. The department outlines many guidelines for farmers, workers in the automotive and fiberglass industry and service station workers and owners. Despite the government’s seemingly strong committed to the sustainable development of the environment, an increase in cruise ship arrivals and recent oil exploits by the Belize Natural Energy Ltd (BNEL) have many Belize citizens concerned about the environmental impacts of these endeavours.
Through an Environmental Impact Assessment Report, BNEL assures citizens that there will be minimal adverse environmental impacts and slight disruption to the communities caused by its operations.Department of Energy: Environmental Impact Assessment report
Health
HIV/AIDS POLICY OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE OF BELIZE. Office of Governance. Government of Belize. August 2007
Belize currently has a rate of infection of 2.6% with 15 to 44 year olds being most at risk of infection. “For a country with limited human and financial resource, it is feared that this epidemic can have potentially devastating effects on the national development.”
The health sector of Belize has been under reform since 1996. Its completion is scheduled for mid 2008. The Health Sector Reform project is being financed by the Inter-American Development Bank, the Caribbean Development Bank, the European Union, and the Government. The purpose of the reform is to provide equitable, quality, efficient, accessible health care to all people of Belize. This will be done through the restructure of the health sector, improvement of services, the support of a National Health Insurance Fund, the improvement of infrastructure and the purchase of new medical and laboratory equipment and ambulances. Many health centres have been upgraded since the implementation of the reform project. The National Health Insurance Programme will also be upgraded to include every citizen.
The country continues to educate the public about lifestyle changes to prevent chronic diseases like hypertension and diabetes. Primary healthcare can be obtained at community health centres in rural and urban areas. The Ministry of Health operates the country’s Expanded Programme on Immunization through the Maternal and Child Health programme. Immunization services are also available privately. The country has immunization coverage of over 95%.
Legislation
Statistics
More Information
PUP – The People’s Choice: Nomination Day 2006
Belize City, February 15th 2006
As if it were a reflection of the clear blue skies, a sea of blue marchers flooded the streets of Belize City as thousands of city residents walked – danced – skipped to the Complex Building on Mahogany Street, waving blue and white flags, wearing blue and white shirts and chanting “PUP!” along the way. The message was plain and clear – the People’s United Party is indeed the People’s Choice.
Source:The Belize Times
Key Documents
Up one level- Report on the situation of youth in selected Caribbean countries: LC/CAR/L.150
- Report on the situation of youth in selected Caribbean countries: LC/CAR/L.150
- Impact of changes in the European Union import regimes for sugar, banana and rice on selected CARICOM countries: LC/CAR/L.168
- AN ASSESSMENT OF THE AGRI-FOOD DISTRIBUTION SERVICES INDUSTRY IN CARICOM
- Economic Survey of Latin America and the Caribbean 2007-2008
- IMF Executive Board Concludes 2008 Article IV Consultation with Belize
- Toward a Caribbean Vision 2020: A Regional Perspective on Development Challenges, Opportunities and Strategies for
- Belize: 2006 Article IV Consultation.
- Budget Speech Fiscal Year 2005/2006: 'Delivering a better quality of life for all Belizeans'
- Belize Budget Presentation 2007-2008: Facing, Fixing, Moving Ahead.
- CTO. Latest Tourism Statistics for the Caribbean 2008
- Economic Survey of the Caribbean 2007-2008
- Belize - Macro socio-economic assessment of the damage and losses caused by Hurricane Dean
- Assessment of the Telecommunication Services Sector in CARICOM: Convergence Issues at the Regional and International Level
- Towards a Single Economy and a Single Development Vision
- CARIBBEAN CONNECT: A HIGH LEVEL SYMPOSIUM ON THE CARICOM SINGLE MARKET 28 - 30 June, 2006, Sherbourne Conference Centre, Two Mile Hill, St. Michael, BarbadosND ECONOMY.
- Trade Integration in the Americas
- Background to Negotiations on CARICOM Canada Trading Arrangements
- Hemispheric Trade and Tariff Database
- Realizing the Possibilities: Belize Budget Presentation For Fiscal Year 2008/2009
Bibliography
Up one level- Caribbean Agriculture
- The Impact of Globalization on the Caribbean Sugar and Banana Industries
- CARIFORUM and European Union: Caribbean Agriculture & Fisheries Programme (CAFP)
- The new outlook and policy developments of the Department of Agriculture - Belize. 2001
- Orange Walk District - annual report. Belize
- Authentic Garifuna Music
- Foreign Investment in Latin America and the Caribbean 2007
- Latin America and the Caribbean in the World Economy 2006. Trends 2007
- THE OPERATING BUDGET OF THE GOVERNMENT OF BELIZE! Produced by the Belize Development Trust. 2000
- A Time to Choose: Caribbean Development in the 21st Century
- Belize: A National Report on the Development of Education, 1994-1996
- Diagnosis of the erosion process in the Caribbean Sandy Beaches
- National Programmes of Action - The Caribbean Experience
- Geology and Petroleum Department
- Ministry of Economic Development
- Official website of the Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute in Belize
- Survey of Caribbean tax systems
- Belize Environmental Impact Assessment Report
- SIX YEARS OF BELIZE DEVELOPMENT TRUST ACTIVITIES
- Welcome to the Central Bank of Belize.