Belize Medium Term Development Strategy 2010 – 2013.

The Belize Medium-Term Development Strategy is a national policy with a multi-sectoral approach. The timeframe of this Strategy is 3 years between 2010 and 2013. The purpose of this Strategy is to increase the resilience by taking measures to improve the economic and social structures and the capacity of the citizens to embrace economic opportunities in the face of economic shocks and natural disasters.
Food security will be ensured through improved productivity and competitiveness, market and negotiating capacity and diversification, the strategies for food sufficiency, availability and price stability, and adaptation and mitigation against the effects of climate change.
Environmental protection and management will be strengthened by developing a comprehensive policy framework for natural resource management, effective land use planning, sound management of chemicals, sustainable forestry management, protected area management and an integrated coastal zone management plan. Integrated water resources management will be strengthened to provide water and sanitation services.
Agricultural production will be increased with a focus on facilitating smallholders in securing livelihoods and therefore contribute to poverty reduction. Moreover, policies and programmes will be developed for improved legal, economic and social protection of vulnerable groups with a gender-sensitive approach. Sustainable use of natural resources will be strengthened to ensure decent living conditions, sources of income and an assurance of resources for future consumption. The human and social development objectives will be achieved through investment in education and health delivery and in social safety net provisions.
Small- and medium-scale enterprises will be supported through capacity building for business planning and resource mobilization, and the establishment of a sustainable financing mechanism and an incentive programme. Investment opportunities and marketing strategies will be developed in the agro-processing, aquaculture, environmental goods and services, information and communication technologies, and tourism sectors to ensure economic growth. Moreover, the agriculture, fisheries, forestry and manufacturing sectors will be developed through (I) improvement in productivity, management and production of domestic and export crops, (II) access to foreign markets in traditional and non-traditional crops and value added goods, (III) access to credit and grants to farmers and fishers, (IV) technical support to farmers and fishers, (V) diversification of the agricultural production, (VI) sustainable use and protection of natural resources, (VII) strong policy environment for the continued growth of the agricultural and fishing industry, and (VIII) minimization of the overall macroeconomic impacts that result from the reductions in the guaranteed prices for Belize’s sugar exports and competition in a more liberalized world. In order to increase the competitiveness in the international arena, export quality and certification management will be strengthened in conformity with the sanitary and phytosanitary and food safety standards. Moreover, export and trade competency will be developed by establishing a trade monitoring unit, capacity building, and strengthening inter-institutional linkages between key intermediary organizations.