Belmopan, November 8, 2024.
Dr. the Hon. Osmond Martinez, Minister of State for Foreign Trade in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, led a successful Trade and Investment Mission to London from November 4 to 7. This mission, which aligns with the Government’s goal to strengthen Belize’s economic positioning through commercial diplomacy, resulted in several significant achievements for Belize.
Supported by the Belize High Commission in London and Mr. Berisford Codd, Senior Trade Economist from the Directorate General for Foreign Trade, Dr. Martinez engaged in high-level meetings and events, securing key engagements with the Commonwealth Secretariat, UK Export Finance and private investors with interests in several high-potential sectors in Belize.
A highlight of the mission was Dr. Martinez’s keynote address at the Commonwealth Meeting on Sustainable and Regenerative Tourism. Dr. Martinez shared Belize’s first-hand experiences with championing a sustainability agenda in tourism, illustrating the transformative benefits that sustainable tourism brings to Belize’s development trajectory as a global leader in the sector. One notable outcome of the mission was an agreement for technical support through the Commonwealth Secretariat to enhance the implementation of key reforms outlined in Belize’s National Trade Policy. This technical assistance will be crucial in strengthening Belize’s frameworks for pro-poor development and economic resilience.
Additionally, participation in the UK-Caribbean Trade and Investment Forum marked the beginning of Belize’s engagement with UK Export Finance to explore avenues for mobilizing inward capital investments from the UK. This partnership can potentially support large-scale, impactful projects across various sectors in Belize. Dr. Martinez established relationships with private investors interested in crucial sectors such as renewable energy, port development, tourism, and agro-processing—central to Belize’s economic diversification and sustainable growth strategy.
These relationships align with the goals outlined in the Plan Belize Medium Term Development Strategy to promote economic growth through strategic international partnerships and investment facilitation. The participation of Dr. Martinez in the London mission underscores the Government’s commitment to advancing Belize’s trade and investment priorities in essential markets. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade remains dedicated to securing opportunities that contribute to the nation’s economic prosperity and development.
Ends
For more information, please contact:
Berisford Codd
Senior Trade Economist, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade
Berisford.codd@mft.gov.bz
