Government
New Four-Year Project to Strengthen Belize’s Disaster Response
On Friday, August 28th, the Governments of Belize and the Republic of China (Taiwan) officially launched a four-year disaster risk management initiative, marking a significant expansion of cooperation in climate resilience. The Belize Multi-Hazard Risk Management Capacity Building Project was launched through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by the Minister of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Solid Waste Management, Honorable Orlando Habet, and the Minister of the Public Service, Disaster Risk Management and Enterprise, Honorable Henry Charles Usher. Taiwan’s Ambassador to Belize, Amino Chi, witnessed the signing.
Government
Belize Advances Electronic Single Window for Trade Initiative
Belize has achieved a significant milestone in the implementation of its Electronic Single Window for Trade (ESW) with the successful completion of an intensive four-day Knowledge Exchange Mission with the Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA). This initiative, undertaken under the Trade and Investment Facilitation Program, a loan program for the Government of Belize financed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and executed through the Central Executing Unit of the Ministry of Finance, focused on acquiring practical, first-hand insights from Jamaica’s established Single Window for Trade (JSWIFT) system to inform and accelerate Belize’s own digital trade transformation.
Business & Economy
Belize Tax Service Employees Protest Proposed SARA Revenue Authority
On August 26th, employees of the Belize Tax Service (BTS) protested against the recently approved Revenue Authority Bill, also known as the SARA Bill. The proposed legislation would remove tax collection from a regular government department and place it under a new revenue authority with its own management, employees, and budget. However, the Minister of Finance would retain significant control over its leadership and general direction.
Government
Prime Minister Briceño Strengthens Belize-Honduras Relations
Prime Minister Hon. John Briceño paid an official visit to the Republic of Honduras on Monday, August 24, 2026, where he met with H.E. Nasry Asfura, President of the Republic of Honduras, at the Presidential House in Tegucigalpa to discuss opportunities to further strengthen bilateral relations and regional cooperation.
Government
UNHCR and UNICEF Train Belize Social Workers to Strengthen Child Protection
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and UNICEF conducted a Best Interest Procedure Training for social workers in Belize to strengthen child protection systems and enhance support for vulnerable children, including forcibly displaced children.
Government
97th Extraordinary CIRSA Meeting
The 97th Extraordinary meeting of the International Regional Committee for Agricultural Health (CIRSA) took place on 28th August, in Guatemala City.
Government
Belize and Taiwan Sign Women and Youth MSMEs Development Project Agreement
Press Release, Belmopan, August 24, 2026. The Government of Belize and the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) signed the Belize Women and Youth MSMEs Development Project Agreement, a jointly funded initiative valued at approximately US$3 million to strengthen micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), with a particular focus on women and young entrepreneurs.
Government
André Bauer Sworn-In as New US Ambassador to Belize
Belize will soon welcome a new United States (US) ambassador. André Bauer, a former South Carolina, USA legislator and two-term lieutenant governor, was sworn in as US Ambassador to Belize on August 20th and is expected to arrive in the country sometime in September. Belize has been without a US ambassador since Michelle Kwan concluded her tenure in January 2025. Since then, the US Embassy in Belmopan has been operating under the leadership of chargé d’affaires.