The National MSME Roadshow rolled into San Pedro from August 20th through the 22nd, bringing three days of free training, multi-agency services, and a Buy Belize Expo to the island community. Organized under the directive of the Office of the Prime Minister, the initiative is a collaboration with BELTRAIDE, the Economic Development Council, and the Investment Policy and Compliance Unit. Activities were held at the Lion’s Den on August 20th and 21st and concluded with the Buy Belize Expo at San Pedro Central Park on August 22nd.
The roadshow’s objective was to strengthen micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through capacity building, practical skills sessions, and direct access to government and financial agencies. Day one featured masterclasses on digital marketing, the basics of exporting, financial literacy, and sales and negotiation. Afternoon information sessions included presentations from the Belize Tax Service and the Investment Policy and Compliance Unit, along with guidance on accessing fiscal incentives through BELTRAIDE’s investment services.
Day two focused on formalization and compliance, bringing roughly two dozen service providers to the Lion’s Den. Representatives from the Belize Social Security Board, Companies and Corporate Affairs Registry, Belize Tax Service, Customs Department, Central Bank, commercial banks, and other regulatory and support agencies offered one-on-one guidance on business registration, annual filings, Social Security enrollment, import procedures, and tax obligations.
The final day featured the Buy Belize Expo at Central Park, showcasing about a dozen local vendors from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event provided entrepreneurs with a public platform to display and sell Belizean-made products while promoting support for local businesses.
The San Pedro roadshow was the ninth of ten planned stops around the country. Organizers said the initiative was designed to be hands-on, with masterclasses equipping business owners with practical skills and a formalization clinic helping reduce barriers to legal compliance and access to formal financing. The program also aims to connect entrepreneurs with fiscal incentives and BELTRAIDE services that can support business growth and export readiness.
BELTRAIDE Senior Business Advisor Lorraine Lewis described the local response as positive, noting that attendees appreciated having the services brought directly to them. “MSMEs appreciated that we’ve reached out,” Lewis said, adding that the multi-agency presence helped entrepreneurs obtain the information needed to build capacity and formalize their operations.
Lewis also highlighted interactive incentives offered during the roadshow, including a raffle for a Buy Belizean product basket and a $500 cash prize for attendees who participated on all three days.
Organizers hope the San Pedro sessions will encourage more businesses to formalize their operations while improving MSMEs’ access to financing, business support, and export opportunities. Based on demand and feedback, the roadshow initiative could also lead to follow-up clinics and more targeted support for entrepreneurs across the country.