Opportunities in agriculture, manufacturing, logistics and a proposed regional sugar value chain were highlighted during an investment forum hosted by the High Commission of Belize on Wednesday as Belize seeks to deepen regional trade and economic ties.
The forum, titled “Belize: Linking Markets and Opportunities”, was held at the World Trade Centre Georgetown, Guyana and explored avenues for trade, investment and regional collaboration between the two countries and the wider Caribbean.
Belize High Commissioner to Guyana, Gale Miller-Garnett, said Belize offers investors access to export processing zones, designated processing areas and commercial free zones, positioning the country as a gateway to regional markets.
“We have bilateral relationships with El Salvador and Honduras, and so it is important to look beyond Belize in terms of the market. You can look at Belize as a hub of opportunity where you can do value addition and then move into the regional market,” she said.
Presentations during the forum highlighted Belize’s strategic location linking the Caribbean, Central America and North America, as well as investment opportunities in agro-processing, tourism, renewable energy and manufacturing.
Vice President of Trade at Caribbean Sugar Refinery (CSR), Oliver Heyer, outlined plans to develop a regional sugar value chain, with Belize serving as a refining hub and distribution networks extending across CARICOM.
The initiative is aimed at retaining more value within the Caribbean, strengthening regional food security and reducing dependence on imported refined sugar.
“We’re keeping that value-added activity within CARICOM,” Heyer said, describing the project as part of a broader effort to integrate regional markets.
The forum also featured a presentation on the proposed modernisation and expansion of the Port of Belize, a major infrastructure project designed to improve cargo-handling capacity, accommodate larger cruise ships, enhance regional connectivity and support economic growth.
