Inter-American Development Bank

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is supporting Belize’s efforts to increase labor force participation and improve employability through a financing package of US$8 million.

The Belize Tax Service Department (BTSD) is undergoing a major transition to become a Semi-Autonomous Revenue Authority (SARA), a change formally approved by the Cabinet in October 2022 and now underway. The reform is part of Belize’s broader tax modernization strategy, which aims to strengthen tax administration, improve service delivery, and support long-term economic development.

The San Pedro Town Council continues its roadwork project, with the most recent upgrades taking place in the DFC area. Work is ongoing on Pearl Street, behind La Dispensa del Hogar store, leading to Jimbo’s Apartments, as well as two nearby streets close to Kelly Store. The next phase of the project will move into the Eiley Subdivision.

The Ministry of Investment, through its Investment Policy and Compliance Unit (IPCU), has been closely monitoring information from the United States of America regarding the proposed Keep Call Centres in America Act legislation currently under consideration. Over the past several years, the Ministry of Investment in the Office of the Prime Minister has stimulated the growth of Belize’s BPO industry through innovative policy directives and legislative amendments.

On July 30th, the San Pedro Town Council marked a pivotal step in the San Mateo Community Improvement Project by hosting a visit from the technical team leading the initiative. The meeting outlined the project’s phases and featured the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by Mayor Wally Nuñez, formally launching the project’s implementation.

The Government of Belize, in collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), launched a two-day workshop titled “From PPP Policy to PPP Program: Identifying, Prioritizing, and Executing Public-Private Partnerships in Belize.” The event brings together key public officials, technical experts, and international consultants to strengthen the country’s capacity to develop and implement sustainable infrastructure through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).

Hon. Thea Garcia-Ramirez, Minister of Human Development, Families and Gender Affairs, represented Belize on the international stage during a high-level panel hosted by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) on June 3, 2025, in Mexico City. The virtual dialogue, titled “Challenges in Addressing Violence Against Women in Latin America and the Caribbean,” brought together regional leaders to address the persistent and growing crisis of gender-based violence.

Belize is advancing efforts to protect its coastal zones with the release of the updated Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) regional guidelines for 2025–2030. Officially made public on May 27, the draft guidelines are now open for public review and aim to strike a balance between economic development and environmental protection, placing San Pedro Town and the wider Ambergris Caye region at the forefront of national planning. The National Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan is a comprehensive policy framework for the sustainable use, conservation, and management of Belize’s coastal resources. It prioritizes climate resilience, biodiversity protection, and community well-being across coastal areas.