Business & Economy
New Minimum Wage Proposal Divides Opinion Across Belize
On Tuesday, September 16th, Prime Minister Honourable John Briceño delivered his State of the Nation address at the University of Belize campus in Belmopan City. He spoke about the country’s progress and challenges in the economy, jobs, and national security. One announcement that drew considerable attention was another planned increase in the minimum wage from $5 to $6 per hour. While employees would take more money home, some stakeholders and critics argue the move could negatively affect the local economy.
Government
Prime Minister John Briceño Delivers State of the Nation Address
Prime Minister Honourable John Briceño delivered the annual State of the Nation address in Belmopan on September 16 before a large audience at the University of Belize. The ceremony featured a guard of honour inspection, raising the Belize flag, speeches, and introducing 44 newly naturalized Belizeans.
Government
Belize Participates in WTO Public Forum
Belize joined Latin American and Caribbean counterparts at the World Trade Organization (WTO) Public Forum, where experiences on investment facilitation were shared under the leadership of H.E. Sofia Boza, Ambassador of the Republic of Chile, and H.E. Sung-yo Choi, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea.
Government
Belize Participates in CCAD Ministerial Meeting to Strengthen Regional Climate and Environment Cooperation
On September 10, 2025, Chief Executive Officer Milagro Matus and Grants and External Relations Coordinator Carlos Moreno represented the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change, and Solid Waste Management at the LXXIII Ordinary Council of Ministers Meeting of the Central American Commission of the Environment and Sustainable Development (CCAD), held in Panama City under the Pro Tempore Presidency of the Republic of Panama.
Government
MoEST Meets with Stakeholders to Discuss School Hair Policy and Enforcement
Officials from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST), led by Hon. Oscar Requena, Minister of Education, met with stakeholders to discuss growing concerns surrounding school hair policy and the enforcement of related rules.
Government
Belize Bureau of Standards (BBS) Awarded ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Accreditation of it Fine Mass Laboratory
The Belize Bureau of Standards (BBS) hosted a ceremony to unveil the accreditation of its Fine Mass Laboratory to the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 international standard for testing and calibration laboratories. This accreditation represents the culmination of years of dedication, investment, and collaboration and underscores the BBS’s commitment to advancing the field of metrology in Belize by providing internationally recognized, traceable calibration services.
Government
Belize Protests Guatemalan Flag Incident at Sarstoon Island
The Government of Belize will be lodging a formal protest at the highest level against this violation of its territorial sovereignty and the aggressive actions that accompanied it. The Government of Belize reaffirms its unwavering commitment to defend its territorial integrity and ensure that all actions taken by its security forces are guided by respect for the rule of law and the protection of Belize’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Government
Belize Investment Summit 2025: Ministry of Blue Economy and Marine Conservation Advances Belize’s Sustainable Blue Economy
The Ministry of Blue Economy and Marine Conservation (MBEMC) participated in the Belize Investment Summit 2025, where it showcased the nation’s vast potential in advancing a thriving and sustainable blue economy. The Summit was held from September 3 to 5, 2025, in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, under the theme, “Bridging Markets, Building Resilience: The Nexus of CARICOM, Central America, and Mexico in the New Global Era.”
