Government
IDB Approves $15 Million Loan to Spur Sustainable Farming and Tourism in Belize
The Inter-American Development Bank approved a $15 million loan and up to $800,000 in grant funding for the Sustainable and Inclusive Belize project, which seeks to bolster revenue from agriculture and tourism, two of the most essential pillars of Belize’s economy. The operation will focus on boosting the competitiveness, climate resilience, and environmental sustainability of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in both sectors.
Government
Belize-Taiwan Technical Cooperation for Deep Sea Fishing Resource Exploration Program
The Government of Belize through the Ministry of Blue Economy and Civil Aviation (MBECA), and in collaboration with the Belize Fisheries Department and the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan), held a technical meeting on September 12, 2022, to discuss the “Fisheries resources survey in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of Belize” under the request for “Deep Sea Fishing Resource Exploration Program,” which is focused on improving sustainable fisheries management and strengthening Belize’s blue economy.
Government
Public Hospitals Benefit from Donation of Imaging Equipment
The Ministry of Health & Wellness (MoHW) donated equipment to the Northern Regional Hospital (NRH), Western Regional Hospital (WRH), and Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Authority (KHMHA). The equipment, which includes Computed Radiography (CR) Readers, Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS), Computers and Radiology Monitors, was made possible through an agreement for the Project of Strengthening Medical Imaging System (SMIS) in Belize.
Environment
Belmopan leads Caribbean with endorsement of Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty
The Belizean capital of Belmopan has signed a motion calling for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, a global mechanism that aims to explicitly address the source of 86% of CO2 emissions that cause climate change: fossil fuels. The support was made official by a statement from the mayor with council approval.
Government
Belize Hosts the 244th Regional Board Meeting of COCESNA
The Central American Corporation of Aero Navigation Services (COCESNA) Regional Board of Directors held its 244th Ordinary Meeting in Belize from September 8 to 9, 2022, in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye.
Government
National Forensic Science Service Receives First-of-its-Kind Laboratory Equipment in Belize
September 7, 2022, the Ministry of Economic Development handed over a Thermo-Scientific TSX Series High-Performance Laboratory Refrigerator for evidence storage and a Handheld Portable Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Spectrometer for rapid field identification of liquid and solid chemicals to the National Forensic Science Service (NFSS) through the Ministry of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries.
Government
New Electronic Passport Issuance and Control System to be Launched
In October 2022, the Government of Belize through the Ministry of Immigration will launch a new application process for electronic passports through the Electronic Passport Issuance and Control System (e-PICS).
Government
Belize and Quintana Roo Sign Memoranda for Business Collaboration
Two memoranda were signed by Belize and Mexico. The first memorandum was signed between the Corozal Free Zone and the Chetumal Industrial Park to facilitate collaboration between the two investment schemes and to collaborate on attracting investment and markets. The second memorandum formalized the commitment between the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment of Belize and the Secretary of Economic Development of the State of Quintana Roo to establish a formal framework for inter-organizational technical cooperation and coordination.