Editing Belize (section)

==Economy==

{{Main|Economy of Belize}}

[[File:Sugar Cane Processing Plant 2.jpg|thumb|A [[sugar cane]] processing plant, Orange Walk Town, Belize. Sugar is one of Belize's top exports.]]

Belize has a small, mostly private enterprise economy that is based primarily on agriculture, agro-based industry, and merchandising, with tourism and construction recently assuming greater importance.<ref name="Maya Homeland" /> The country is also a producer of [[industrial mineral]]s,<ref>Oancea, Dan (January 2009).{{cite web|url=http://magazine.mining.com/Issues/0901/MiningCentralAmerica.pdf |title=Mining in Central America |access-date=16 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110516031334/http://magazine.mining.com/Issues/0901/MiningCentralAmerica.pdf |archive-date=16 May 2011 }}. magazine.mining.com. pp. 10–12.</ref> [[crude oil]], and [[petroleum]]. {{As of|2017}}, oil production was {{convert|2000|oilbbl/d|abbr=on|order=flip}}.<ref name=EIA>{{cite web |url=https://www.eia.gov/beta/international/data/browser/#/?pa=00000000000000000000000000000000002&c=ruvvvvvfvtvnvv1vrvvvvfvvvvvvfvvvou20evvvvvvvvvvvvuvo&ct=0&tl_id=5-A&vs=INTL.57-1-AFG-TBPD.A&vo=0&v=H&start=2014&end=2016 |title=Production of Crude Oil including Lease Condensate 2016 |publisher=[[U.S. Energy Information Administration]] |format=CVS download |access-date=27 May 2017 |archive-date=27 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427031435/https://www.eia.gov/beta/international/data/browser/#/?pa=00000000000000000000000000000000002&c=ruvvvvvfvtvnvv1vrvvvvfvvvvvvfvvvou20evvvvvvvvvvvvuvo&ct=0&tl_id=5-A&vs=INTL.57-1-AFG-TBPD.A&vo=0&v=H&start=2014&end=2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> In agriculture, [[sugar]], like in colonial times, remains the chief crop, accounting for nearly half of exports, while the [[banana]] industry is the largest employer.<ref name="Maya Homeland" /> In 2007 Belize became the world's third largest exporter of [[papaya]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FE913 |title=An Overview of Global Papaya Production, Trade and Consumption |publisher=University of Florida Extension |access-date=13 February 2022 |archive-date=3 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230703084428/https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FE913 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The government of Belize faces important challenges to economic stability. Rapid action to improve [[tax collection]] has been promised, but a lack of progress in reining in spending could bring the [[exchange rate]] under pressure. The tourist and construction sectors strengthened in early 1999, leading to a preliminary estimate of revived growth at four percent. Infrastructure remains a major economic development challenge;<ref name="USDoS-Belize">{{cite web|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/1955.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180611062556/https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/1955.htm |archive-date=11 June 2018 |title=Background Note: Belize|publisher=Department of State, United States}}</ref> Belize has the region's most expensive electricity. Trade is important and the major trading partners are the United States, Mexico, the United Kingdom, the [[European Union]], and [[Caribbean Community|CARICOM]].<ref name="USDoS-Belize" />

Belize has four commercial bank groups, of which the largest and oldest is [[Belize Bank]]. The other three banks are Heritage Bank, Atlantic Bank, and [[Scotiabank]] (Belize). A robust complex of [[credit union]]s began in the 1940s under the leadership of [[Marion M. Ganey]], S.J.<ref>Woods, Charles M. Sr., et al. (2015) ''Years of Grace: The History of Roman Catholic Evangelization in Belize: 1524–2014''. Belize: Roman Catholic Diocese of Belize City-Belmopan, pp. 227ff.</ref>

Because of its location on the coast of Central America, Belize is a popular destination for vacationers and for many North American drug traffickers. The Belize currency is pegged to the U.S. dollar and banks in Belize offer non-residents the ability to establish accounts, so drug traffickers and money launderers are attracted to banks in Belize. As a result, the [[United States Department of State]] has, since 2014, named Belize as one of the world's "major money laundering countries".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/inl/rls/nrcrpt/2014/vol2/index.htm|title=2014 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report – Volume II: Money Laundering and Financial Crimes|date=2014|accessdate=9 May 2024|work=[[United States Department of State]]|archive-date=11 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211054013/https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/inl/rls/nrcrpt/2014/vol2/index.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Belize electricity production.svg|thumb|Belize electricity supply by source| upright=1.4]]

===Industrial infrastructure===
[[Belize Electricity Limited]] (BEL), the nation's primary utility, has embarked on an ambitious plan to enhance its energy infrastructure. In its 2024–2028 Full Tariff Review, BEL proposed a $500 million investment to support the integration of 60 MW of utility-scale [[Photovoltaic system|solar photovoltaic]] (PV) generation and 40 MW of battery energy storage systems. This initiative aims to stabilize electricity rates at 40 cents per kilowatt-hour and reduce reliance on imported electricity from Mexico.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BEL Submits 2024-2028 Full Tariff Review |url=https://www.bel.com.bz/press_releases/2024/BEL%20Submits%202024-2028%20Full%20Tariff%20Review%20Proceeding%20Application%20to%20the%20Public%20Utilities%20Commission.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=BEL Presents Modern Energy Services Plan |url=https://www.bel.com.bz/press_releases/2024/BEL%20Presents%20Plans%20for%20Building%20a%20Modern%20Energy%20Services%20Infrastructure%20for%20Belize%20in%20Public%20Hearing%20as%20part%20of%20the%20Full%20Tariff%20Review%20Proceedings%202024%20-%202028.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Belize Electricity Limited Plans Half a Billion Dollar Investment in Energy Sector |url=https://lovefm.com/belize-electricity-limited-plans-half-a-billion-dollar-investment-in-energy-sector/ |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=Love FM Belize News & Music Power |language=en-US}}</ref> The [[Government of Belize]]'s [[National Energy Program|National Energy Policy]] 2023–2040 outlines a commitment to achieving 75% renewable energy in the electricity generation mix by 2030.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Belize Annual Energy Report 2023 |url=https://www.mpuele.gov.bz/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Energy-Report-2023_Digital-Copy_Final.pdf}}</ref> As of 2022, renewable sources accounted for 53% of total gross electricity generation, highlighting significant progress towards this goal.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Belize Annual Energy Report 2022 |url=https://www.mpuele.gov.bz/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Energy-Report-2022-Final_25-Aug-1.pdf}}</ref>

To bolster grid reliability, BEL has undertaken several infrastructure upgrades. In 2024, the company completed an upgrade of the West Lake Gas Turbine, increasing its capacity from 19 MW to 30 MW. Additionally, a new gas turbine was installed on [[Ambergris Caye]], adding 20 MW of generation capacity to the national grid.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cowo |first=Janelle |date=2024-04-13 |title=BEL Encourages Energy Conservation during Critical Generation Upgrade and Hot and Humid Weather Conditions |url=https://www.sanpedrosun.com/community-and-society/2024/04/13/bel-encourages-energy-conservation-during-critical-generation-upgrade-and-hot-and-humid-weather-conditions/ |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=The San Pedro Sun |language=en}}</ref> [[World Bank|The World Bank]] is supporting these efforts through the Belize Energy Resilience and Sustainability Project, which includes the deployment of four 10 MW battery storage systems in key districts. This project aims to enhance power reliability, reduce outages, and optimize electricity costs for consumers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Belize Launches New Energy Project to Enhance Power Reliability and Boost Renewables |url=https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2025/02/04/belize-launches-new-energy-project-to-enhance-power-reliability-and-boost-renewables |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=World Bank |language=en}}</ref>

[[Belize Telemedia Limited]] (BTL), operating under the brand [[Belize Telemedia Limited|Digi]], is the nation's primary telecommunications provider, offering a comprehensive suite of services including [[Landline|fixed-line telephony]], mobile services, broadband internet, and digital television. As of recent reports, BTL maintains approximately 32,000 fixed telephone line contracts and serves around 190,000 GSM mobile customers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BNamericas - Belize Telemedia Limited (Digi) |url=https://www.bnamericas.com/en/company-profile/belize-telemedia-limited |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=BNamericas.com |language=en}}</ref> In alignment with the [[Government of Belize]]'s National Digital Agenda 2022–2025, which aims to enhance digital infrastructure and connectivity across the country, BTL has been actively expanding its service offerings.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home - |url=https://digitalagenda.gov.bz/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250122174404/https://digitalagenda.gov.bz/ |archive-date=2025-01-22 |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=digitalagenda.gov.bz |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Belize’s national digital agenda 2022-2025 {{!}} Digital Watch Observatory |url=https://dig.watch/resource/belizes-national-digital-agenda-2022-2025?utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=2025-05-07 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Digital Agenda - |url=https://digitalagenda.gov.bz/digital-agenda/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250122175834/https://digitalagenda.gov.bz/digital-agenda/ |archive-date=2025-01-22 |access-date=2025-05-07 |language=en-US}}</ref> The company provides [[Broadband|high-speed broadband]] services with speeds up to 200 Mbps, mobile services including [[LTE (telecommunication)|4G LTE]], and digital television through [[Digi-TV|DigiTV]] . Additionally, BTL has introduced bundled service packages under the DigiONE brand, combining internet, mobile, and television services for residential and business customers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Digi - Internet, Mobile {{!}} DigiONE {{!}} DigiTV {{!}} DigiBusiness |url=https://livedigi.com/ |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=Digi |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Tourism===
{{Main|Tourism in Belize}}
A combination of natural factors – climate, the [[Belize Barrier Reef]], over 450 offshore Cays (islands), excellent fishing, safe waters for boating, [[scuba diving]], [[snorkelling]] and [[freediving]], numerous rivers for [[rafting]], and [[kayaking]], various [[Jungle (terrain)|jungle]] and [[wildlife reserves]] of fauna and flora, for hiking, [[birdwatching]], and helicopter touring, as well as many Maya sites – support the thriving tourism and [[ecotourism]] industry.

Development costs are high, but the government of Belize has made tourism its second development priority after agriculture. In 2012, tourist arrivals totalled 917,869 (with about 584,683 from the United States) and tourist receipts amounted to over $1.3 billion.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2013-02-08|title=2012: A Remarkable Year for Belize's Tourism Industry|url=https://www.sanpedrosun.com/travel-and-tourism/2013/02/08/2012-a-remarkable-year-for-belizes-tourism-industry/|access-date=2021-11-23|website=The San Pedro Sun|language=en-US|archive-date=12 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412124348/https://www.sanpedrosun.com/travel-and-tourism/2013/02/08/2012-a-remarkable-year-for-belizes-tourism-industry/|url-status=live}}</ref>

After [[COVID-19]] struck tourism, Belize became the first country in the Caribbean to allow vaccinated travellers to visit without a COVID-19 test.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Staff|first=HospiBiz|title=Belize becomes 1st Caribbean country to welcome vaccinated travelers without Covid test requirement {{!}} HOSPIBIZ|date=15 March 2021|url=https://hospibiz.com/belize-becomes-1st-caribbean-country-to-welcome-vaccinated-travelers-without-covid-test-requirement/|access-date=6 April 2021|language=en-US|archive-date=10 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230610190256/https://hospibiz.com/belize-becomes-1st-caribbean-country-to-welcome-vaccinated-travelers-without-covid-test-requirement/|url-status=dead}}</ref>