Belize Tourism
Belize
The market-based economy was primarily agricultural, although tourism has become the principal source of foreign exchange earnings; the country's population was approximately 262,000. There was a very small industrial sector, comprising limited agribusiness, clothing, and boat manufacturing. The agricultural sector was heavily dependent upon preferential access to export markets for sugar and for bananas. In 2002, gross domestic product grew at a rate of 4.4 percent, inflation stood at 2.3 percent, and 40 percent of the population lived in poverty. ... [Read More]
Investment Climate
Tourism and tourism-related industries. ... Belize has a total population of only 249,800 (July 2000 estimate). Of this total amount, about 89,210 (April 2000 estimate) comprise the recognized workforce. Many other residents, such as subsistence farmers, are not counted in the total labor force estimate. At the end of 2000, Belize had an unemployment rate of 11.5 percent. That figure dropped to 11 percent in 2001. Hard and fast figures for Belizeans are difficult to derive because many are employed in seasonal agricultural and tourism jobs. About 10 percent of the workforce is unionized: 7,650 workers, mainly public sector employees, are union members. Belize has eight trade unions and an umbrella organization, the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB). In general, labor-management relations are relatively good. However, the Christian Workers Union has had a difficult time organizing banana field workers because of employer opposition. ... [Read More]
Belize
Belize is a parliamentary democracy with a constitution enacted in 1981 upon independence from the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister, a cabinet of ministers, and a legislative assembly govern the country. The Governor General represented Queen Elizabeth II in the largely ceremonial role of head of state. Prime Minister Said Musa's People's United Party (PUP) held 26 of the 29 seats in the House of Representatives following generally free and fair elections in 1998. The judiciary was generally independent. The Police Department had primary responsibility for law enforcement and maintenance of order. The Belize Defence Force (BDF) was responsible for external security but, when deemed appropriate by civilian authorities, could be tasked to assist the police department. Throughout the year, armed BDF soldiers routinely accompanied police patrols in Belize City in an attempt to reduce the worsening vi ... [Read More]
Belize
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Belize is a developing country. Tourism facilities vary in quality, from a limited number of business class hotels in Belize City and resorts on the cayes to very basic accommodations in the countryside. Read the Department of State Background Notes on Belize at http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/ for additional information. ... ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: All U.S. citizens must have a U.S. passport valid for the duration of their visit to Belize. U.S. citizens do not need visas for tourist visits of up to thirty days, but they must have onward or return air tickets and proof of sufficient funds to maintain themselves while in Belize. Visitors for purposes other than tourism, or who wish to stay longer than 30 days, must obtain visas from the government of Belize. Additional information on entry and customs requirements may be obtained from the Embassy of Belize at 2535 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20008, Tel. (202) 332-9636 Information is also available at the Belizean Consular offices in Miami, Los Angeles, Chicago, New Orleans, Detroit, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Dallas, Houston, San Francisc ... [Read More]
V. Country Narratives -- Countries A through G
France is a destination country for women trafficked for the purposes of sexual exploitation and involuntary domestic servitude, primarily from Eastern and Central Europe and Africa. The number of Chinese women trafficked to France for sexual exploitation increased in 2004. The government estimates that there are 10,000 to 12,000 trafficking victims in France, 3,000-8,000 of whom are children forced into prostitution and labor. Nigerian trafficking networks continued to expand their activities in France. Trafficking of Brazilian women and girls for sexual exploitation to French Guiana — a French possession — remained a serious problem. The Government of France fully complies with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking. Although the government did not provide full data on investigations, prosecutions, convictions, and sentences, the Secretary of State has ... [Read More]
Background Notes
A major constraint on the economic development of Belize continues to be the scarcity of infrastructure investments. Although electricity, telephone, and water utilities are all relatively good, Belize has the most expensive electricity in the region, despite recent cuts in commercial and industrial rates. Large tracts of land, which would be suitable for development, are inaccessible due to lack of roads. Some roads, including sections of major highways, are subject to damage or closure during the rainy season. Ports in Belize City, Dangriga, and Big Creek handle regularly scheduled shipping from the U.S. and the U.K., although draft is limited to a maximum of 10 feet in Belize City and 15 feet in southern ports. International air service is provided by American Airlines, Contine ... [Read More]
Belize (08/04)
The United States is the largest provider of economic assistance to Belize, contributing about $2.89 million in various bilateral economic and military aid programs to Belize in FY 2002. Of this amount, nearly $2.3 million was provided by the U.S. Military Liaison Office. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) closed its Belize office in August 1996 after a 13-year program during which USAID provided $110 million worth of development assistance to Belize. Belize still benefits from USAID regional programs. In addition, during the past 42 years, almost 2,000 Peace Corps volunteers have served in Belize. As of May 2004, the Peace Corps had 52 volunteers working in Belize. Until the end of 2002, Voice of America operated a medium-wave radio relay station in Punta Gorda that broadcast to the neighboring countries of Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador. The U.S. military has a diverse and growing assistance program in Belize that included the construction of seven schools an ... [Read More]
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