First held in November 2021, the Belize Investment Summit was created to attract and promote investment for economic development in Belize. The summit is a high-profile event led by the Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Finance, Investment, and Economic Development. Organised every two years, the 2025 edition, held from September 3 to 5, was themed Bridging Markets, Building Resilience. It concluded as a resounding success, attracting over 600 prominent international investors, business leaders, government officials, and local entrepreneurs. Preliminary estimates indicate investment commitments exceeding BZ$1.5 billion across various sectors.
The summit facilitated hundreds of one-on-one meetings between project proponents and investors. A landmark Memorandum of Understanding for Belize’s first-ever sugar refinery was signed on-site, and a presentation highlighted the Master Plan for the Port of Belize Cruise and Cargo Project.
Organisers said the successful event solidified Belize’s position as a premier strategic and sustainable regional investment destination. Prime Minister Hon. Dr. John Briceño highlighted the growth of the summit since its first edition. “We are very pleased with the response,” Briceño said. “People come for many reasons. The wealth of information that they get from networking with different partners, both private and public sector, the ability to even meet ministers and officials within government, to talk about a project.”
Briceño added that he held numerous meetings throughout the event. “Because of that personalised touch, we believe that it has been very successful,” he said. He noted that the government has seen hundreds of millions of dollars invested over the past four years following previous summits.
“The resounding success of the summit far exceeded our expectations,” the prime minister continued. “We did not just talk about potential; we showcased tangible, bankable projects. The overwhelming response from the global investment community is a powerful testament to their confidence in Belize’s political stability, economic reforms, and our unwavering commitment to sustainable and inclusive growth.” Briceño emphasised that the summit represented not only investment opportunities but also investments in the future of the Belizean people.
Minister of Tourism Hon. Anthony Mahler reaffirmed that Belize is open for business. “We are looking at investors from all over the world,” he said. “We need more investments in the country and the tourism industry. Different sectors within the industry must be built up to ensure that we continue sustaining growth in the future.”
Hosted at the Sunset Caribe Resort north of San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, the three-day summit was a dynamic platform to showcase high-impact investment opportunities across Belize’s key growth sectors. Areas explored included sustainable tourism and hospitality, agro-processing, renewable energy, digital innovation and FinTech, infrastructure, logistics, aviation, and the burgeoning blue economy, among other emerging sectors.
Other highlights included in-depth sectoral presentations, which provided detailed breakdowns of investment opportunities supported by robust data and clear regulatory frameworks. Project pitch sessions allowed local entrepreneurs and developers to present innovative and scalable business models to a global audience. Policy reform dialogues offered candid conversations between the public and private sectors, addressing investor questions and outlining the government’s agenda to improve business efficiency.
Sustainability was a central focus of all discussions, with every session underscored by the principle of responsible development prioritising environmental conservation and community benefits. “The energy and professionalism at this summit were exceptional,” said one investor, Chief Executive Officer of an international company. Others noted that Belize has uniquely positioned itself at the intersection of profitability and purpose. Observers praised the government’s clarity of vision and the quality of opportunities, describing Belize as a serious and compelling player on the global investment stage.
The Belize Investment Summit 2025 was organized by the Government of Belize through the Office of the Prime Minister and the Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE), in partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank. Other development partners, international financial institutions, and the private sector supported the event.
The summit’s secretariat announced that planning for the Belize Investment Summit 2027 is underway, building on the tremendous momentum generated this year.
