Inter-American Development Bank

The Executive Vice President of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Jordan Schwartz, and the Prime Minister of Belize, Hon. John Briceño, signed loan contracts and related non-reimbursable grant agreements to finance two new programs aimed at enhancing healthcare services and promoting sustainable urban development in Belize, respectively. The signing took place on Friday, 30th August 2024, during the Third High-Level Dialogue of the Regional Climate Change Platform of Finance and Economy Ministries in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye.

From August 30th through the 31st, San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, hosted the third High-Level Meeting of the Regional Climate Change Platform of Economy and Finance Ministries of Latin America and the Caribbean. Hosted by the Government of Belize in collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the two-day event saw delegations from various countries. The ministerial meeting ended with a powerful demonstration of unity as the participating countries adopted a regional vision for sustainable finance. This collective effort aims to boost sustainable finance and promote effective investments, reinforcing the shared responsibility of the participating countries in meeting their climate commitments.

On August 30th and 31st, during the Third High-Level Dialogue of the Regional Climate Change Platform of Finance and Economy Ministries in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Government of Belize signed a funding agreement. This agreement aims to improve the country’s healthcare services and urban infrastructure, including San Pedro’s San Mateo Subdivision, which will benefit from upgrades to its street network, sewage and drainage infrastructure, public parks, and other essential services.

During the roadshow organized by the Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE) to highlight Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in San Pedro Town on August 17th, businesses participated in a pitch competition for a chance to win a cash prize. On Monday, August 27th, Brian Halliday and his business 'Nature Aid' and Guillermo 'Mito' Paz, who lead the island's Eco-Museum Belize project, were announced as winners. Each entrepreneur was granted $2,500 to invest in their business projects. Two local projects have recently received funding through the Inter-American Development Bank to support emerging businesses in Belize.

The third High-Level Meeting of the Regional Climate Change Platform of Economy and Finance Ministries of Latin America and the Caribbean formally began on Friday, August 30th, in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye. The two-day meeting aims to approve the new work plan for the 2024-2025 period, which includes specific strategies for sustainable finance and climate change mitigation, and transfer the pro-tempore presidency from the Ministry of Finance of Chile to Colombia’s Ministry of Finance and Public Credit. The goal is for ministers attending to formally adopt a shared regional vision on sustainable finance.

On Monday, July 8, 2024, Honourable Christopher Coye, Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment, attended a meeting of the Central American Governors of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), in Guatemala City, on the matter of the America En El Centro: Development Program for Central America, Panama and the Dominican Republic – 2024-2030.

Belize's efforts in Natural Capital Accounting and its Blue Bond Program are being showcased at the People, Planet, and Prosperity Forum (3Ps) at the Standford University campus in California, USA, from June 3 to 4.

The Government of Belize is pleased to announce a significant milestone in our partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) for the nation's sustainable development and economic growth. The IDB is set to establish brand new offices in Belize City. This development underscores the IDB's deep commitment to Belize and marks a crucial step in our joint efforts to foster economic growth and multisectoral development.