January 31, 2020 
Belize Sets New Record for Overnight Tourist Arrivals 
Xunantunich is an Ancient Maya archaeological site in Western Belize, about 70 miles west of Belize City, in the Cayo District. Maynor Larrieu / BzSelects
The Tourism Industry in Belize has made history yet again by surpassing the half-million mark in Overnight Arrivals. In 2019, a remarkable total of 503,177 overnight visitors came to Belize, an increase of 2.8 percent from the previous year. The National Sustainable Tourism Master Plan (NSTMP) has a goal of achieving overnight arrivals of 556,000 by 2030. With 10 years remaining, the 2019 figure is representative of already attaining more than 90% of this 2030 vision.

Britain Withdraws from the European Union today, January 31, 2020

A major milestone on the intent to take out the UK from the EU was achieved by the General Election held in December 2019, where the Conservatives won the majority in order to further advance the Bill.

Following several years of political divide, the UK House of Commons signed off on the Legislation to take the country out of the European Union by today, January 31st, 2020. 

According to an article published by  BBC News, "the vote gave approval to the 11-month transition period after 31 January, in which the UK will cease to be an EU member but will continue to follow its rules and contribute to its budget."

CARIFORUM Signs Continuity Agreement with the UK

The Continuity Agreement is set to maintain current arrangements with nations in the Caribbean right after the UK leaves the EU. 

On March 22, 2019, the CARIFORUM-UK Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) was signed and included Ministers and representatives from Caribbean countries such as: Barbados, Belize, The Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, The Republic of Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

 In a Bold Move for the Environment, Belize Bans Single Use Plastics

O n January 14th, 2020, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment, Sustainable Development and Immigration, signed into Law the Regulations necessary in the phasing out of single-use plastics.

Regulations aimed at phasing out single-use plastics in Belize were signed into law by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment, Sustainable Development and Immigration.  The decision to implement these measures to reduce plastic use and consumption was required in order to mitigate the harmful effects of pollution on the environment.

Did You Know?
Belize holds several Bilateral Investment treaties with key
nations around the world. 

Please reference the infographic below for a glimpse of the 
international agreements established with the UK, Cuba, the 
Republic of China (ROC) Taiwan, Austria, El Salvador, the
Netherlands, and Italy. 

Project Opportunity: Finca Chocolat
Project Name:  Finca Chocolat
Sector: Agribusiness and Agro-Processing  
Status:  Open
Location: Punta Gorda, Toledo  District, Belize

Project Summary
Finca Chocolat was conceptualized in August of 2015 and by December of that year the corporation had been formed, equity funding raised, land acquired, supplies ordered, workers hired, seeds sourced and preparations for the nursery were underway. Starting in 2016 Finca Chocolat has germinated 50,000 trees annually and currently has over 300 acres in cultivation. In the next few years Finca Chocolat will increase the total area planted to approximately 450 acres of Trinitario cacao.
 
Distinct from all other Belizean producers of cacao, Finca Chocolat is a single source origin growing fine flavor cacao (Trinitario variety) at scale. At 515 acres Finca Chocolat is orders of magnitudes larger than other Belizean cacao farms and controls its supply chain from germination through fermentation to exportation. This size allows Finca Chocolat to minimize unit cost through economies of scale while controlling the entire value chain, ensuring the cacao is traceable, consistent and of exceptional quality.

 
Total Estimated Capital Investment Size:  USD $2,625,000
Estimated Return on Investment: 15 %
Preferred Mode of Investment:  Minority Shareholder Positions 



Government Support 
Fiscal Incentive Program 

The Government of Belize (GOB) continues to pledge its unwavering support for sustainable economic growth through its existing incentive programs. 
 
The Fiscal Incentive Program, continues to support activities within key priority sectors that encourage both potential and existing investments. This program grants Customs Import Duty and Revenue Replacement Duty exemptions for up to 15 years on eligible items necessary for specific projects.  This includes items such as:
 
  • Building Materials and Supplies
  • Fixtures and Fittings
  • Utility and Transport Vehicles
  • Office Equipment and Appliances
  • Marine Crafts
  • Aircrafts, Spare Engines and Parts
  • Specialized Tools
  • Other Spare Parts, Machinery and Equipment for Qualified Sectors
The Fiscal Incentive Program focuses on accommodation developments, tour operators, craft and art manufacturing, cruise, marine ports, and auto rental ventures, of which numerous local and foreign investors are already benefiting. 

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Contact BelizeINVEST, a Unit of BELTRAIDE, for more details.
14 Orchid Garden Street
City of Belmopan, Belize
Phone: +501-822-3737 / 0175
Email: investment@belizeinvest.org.bz
Skype: belizeinvest