National Trade Policy 2019-2030.

The National Trade Policy is a national policy with a multi-sectoral approach. The timeframe of the policy is 10 years between 2019 and 2030. The overall objective of this policy is to develop a competitive economy by utilizing trade as a significant driver for inclusive and sustainable socioeconomic development.
This policy lays down strategies for promoting competitiveness, developing efficient production systems and capacities, diversifying production and export opportunities, improving trade services, enhancing value addition, strengthening institutional and legal framework as well as multilateral, regional and bilateral trade relations, improving market access and entry, and capacity building. Trade facilitation will be ensured through the collaboration of all relevant stakeholders, and thus domestic and international business competitiveness of goods, services and suppliers will be improved. More domestic and foreign direct investments will be attracted. The cost of doing business will be reduced by improving logistical efficiency in international trade. The domestic and international competitiveness of Belizean products will be increased by promoting the development of national standards and quality and the harmonization of standards and technical regulations and SPS measures at regional and international level. In line with the multilateral trade obligations, transparency will be strengthened in the utilization of quantitative measures such as quotas in accordance with the Agreement on Import Licencing. A National Industrial Policy will be developed with a focus on value addition and value chain system growth. A monitoring mechanism on production capabilities and competitiveness will be established, which also includes wood and wood products and animal feed.
Export potential will be expanded to maximize its contribution to social-economic development. To this end, the capacity of export development and promotion institutions and stakeholders will be strengthened to conduct research on product and market development and diversification. Belize’s exports that ranges from seasonal fruits and vegetables into Costa Rica and Venezuela, and agro-processed goods into other bilateral CARICOM member countries, will be increased at the CARICOM, regional and international levels under trade agreements. Furthermore, measures will be taken to safeguard the local industry from the adverse effects of unfair trading practices and promote industrialization. An Aid for trade system will be established to meet Belize’s trade and development needs, and a database system will be developed to register all Aid for trade activities and programmes for Belize and CARICOM. The services sector will be developed through capacity building to sustain its contribution to the economy. E-commerce will be integrated into the business culture by promoting the use of electronic and mobile payment systems across the banking and business sector. A strong economic and commercial diplomatic policy will be developed for increased economic and trade benefits, and the institutional and legal framework will be strengthened for effective participation of Belize in the multilateral trading system. The capacity of trade related institutions will be enhanced to effectively contribute to Belize’s trade and development agenda, and a Permanent Mission to the WTO in Geneva will be established to address the expanding multilateral trade demands for Belize.
The protection of effective, satisfactory consumer welfare for Belizeans and competition which effectively contributes to trade growth and development process, will be ensured through enhanced innovation and quality goods and services. The institutional and legislative framework will be strengthened for the establishment of the competition authority. Investment and incentive programme legislation will be harmonized to ensure their consistency with WTO and other international regulations. Agricultural production will be made more productive and competitive to maintain its contribution to the rural livelihood, food security, employment, foreign exchange earnings and savings. The policy addresses the need for innovation in financing for agricultural development and increased agro-processing incorporating research and development. Effective market access will be ensured for agricultural products, and a sustainable Agriculture Information System will be implemented for production, demand and exports. Market intelligence will be carried out on agricultural trade, support agro-processing ventures through market access information, and access to investment financing. Institutional systems, processes, and structures that will facilitate the agro-productive sector to achieve competitiveness, will be strengthened. Modern agricultural research and innovation centres will be created. An e-portal will be established for implementation of the regional public procurement regime in order to enhance competitiveness and efficiency in public procurement.
Youth involvement in trade activities will be supported by developing their skills in relation to labour market needs, strengthening National Vocational Qualification system, establishing a Youth Entrepreneurship and Empowerment Fund, and promoting vocational-based entrepreneurship production including agriculture, carpentry, engineering and other market needs. ICT systems will be integrated in trade development, with an emphasis on the development of micro-, small- and medium-scale enterprises. Trade policies will be implemented in a gender-sensitive manner to facilitate women’s empowerment and well-being, prevent gender disparities, and facilitate the successful integration of women into more technologically advanced and dynamic sectors of the economy. Trade growth and development will be achieved in an environmentally sustainable manner. Therefore, the integration of environmentally safe and sustainable practices will be integrated in the manufacturing, production and trading systems, taking into account climate change, disasters, greenhouse gas emissions, land and water resources, fisheries and aquaculture, clean energy, ecofriendly production, and pollution control.