Minister Contreras talks trade opportunities with SoFla entrepreneurs
Belize was at the top of the business agenda this week, as Belizean Minister of International Trade Erwin Contreras stopped by at the Lauderdale Lakes Educational and Cultural Center for the “Doing Business in Belize” workshop.
During a special meet and greet session with workshop attendees, the Minister outlined the nation’s many commercial and trading opportunities in renewable energy, agro-processing, tourism, and food and beverage production and packaging. The Minister also encouraged participants to attend the upcoming trade mission, hosted by the Miramar based Belize American Chamber of Commerce of Florida.
The trade workshop, hosted by the Broward County Office of Economic and Small Business Development (OESBD), is part of a year-long series highlighting trading opportunities with many key partners of South Florida’s economy. Representative Hero Balani from the Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (Beltraide) was on hand to update participants on the latest initiatives. He highlighted the country’s unique and respected reputation in the rapidly expanding fair trade and eco-label market. A spotlight was also shone on the country’s competitive investment incentives. This includes an export processing zone, offering multiple tax exemptions, including full import and export duty exemptions. The Fiscal Incentives Program also encourages investments in Belize through duty exemptions and tax holidays, providing both current and new investors with the legal and fiscal framework to stimulate productive economic activities.
Photo Caption: (L-R) Beltraide Representative Hero Balani, OESBD Economic Development Specialist Paola Isaac Baraya and Belizean Minister of International Trade Erwin Contreras.
