Key Facts
- GDP (ppp) per CAPITA
- $8,400 (2008 est.)
- Inflation Rate
- 6.4% (2008 est.)
- Population
- 307,899 (July 2009 est.)
- Ease of Doing Business
- 78/181
Country Map
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Belize : Introduction
Belize was the site of several Mayan city states until their decline at the end of the first millennium A.D. The British and Spanish disputed the region in the 17th and 18th centuries; it formally became the colony of British Honduras in 1854. Territorial disputes between the UK and Guatemala delayed the independence of Belize until 1981. Guatemala refused to recognize the new nation until 1992 and the two countries are involved in an ongoing border dispute. Guatemala and Belize are gearing up for a simultaneous referendum to determine if this dispute will go before the International Court of Justice at The Hague. Tourism has become the mainstay of the economy. Current concerns include an unsustainable foreign debt, high unemployment, growing involvement in the South American drug trade, growing urban crime, and increasing incidences of HIV/AIDS.
- Belize: Beltraide - Belize Trade and Investment Development Service
This Belize Trade and Investment Development Service page contains relevant information on the requirements to invest in Belize, links to the actual applications for licenses, fiscal incentives, etc. There is a business directory, links to useful resources, and news and events updates.
- Belize: Central Bank of Belize
The Central Bank of Belize provides information on Belize's economic and financial system. The website provides a brief history and background information, statistics, annual and quarterly reports, currency information, and news. Some of the information requires downloading and adobe acrobat reader.
- Belize: The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Auto-defined as a non-profit, non-political membership organization, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry promotes the trade and business interests of its members and the economic, commercial, and financial growth and social well being of the nation. The site contains links to trade opportunities, business directory, library and country links.
Sources:
CIA World Factbook (September 2009)
U.S. Dept. of State Country Background Notes (September 2009)
