In 2017, the Government of Belize, through the Directorate General for Foreign Trade (DGFT) embarked on creating a coherent and effective Trade Policy, following the development and approval of the National Trade Policy Framework (2016). The Trade Policy, guided by this framework, is envisaged to stimulate and contribute to the growth of Belize’s trade domestically and internationally. This Policy is built upon four pillars i.e: institutional strengthening, supply capacity, market access and trade facilitation. The Policy further contextualizes entrepreneurship, higher living standards, efficient productive practices, trade governance and inclusiveness and ways to build and enhance beneficial trade relations.
The past months have been dedicated to an extensive countrywide stakeholder consultative process to solicit collective inputs that would inform the Policy. Subsequently, a Draft National Trade Policy has been produced. The next phase involved a stakeholder review of this Policy before presentation to Government for adoption and finalization. In preparation for these processes, the DGFT held three special meetings with the private sector on August 8th, 9th and 15th, 2018.
The Trade Policy is being developed by Belize and for Belize and the Government understands the significant role played by all stakeholders in policy development.
Click here to get a copy of the National Trade Policy Framework