AGP Executive Report

Belize–Mexico Trade & Logistics: Belize and Mexico’s Quintana Roo met in the Corozal Free Zone to push stronger trade ties, with talks on using Belize as a CARICOM gateway and linking Mexico’s Tren Maya to the Port of Belize to improve cargo routes. Blue Economy & Fisheries Inclusion: Belize’s 9th Annual Women in Fisheries Forum highlighted women’s underrepresentation (under 4%) and focused on access to training, financing, and market opportunities through panels and a Blue Space Marketplace. Agriculture & Climate-Smart Inputs: In Orange Walk, a project launch set up Belize’s first farmer-led bio factory to produce eco-friendly fertilizers, aiming to cut reliance on costly imports and improve soil health and resilience. Disaster Readiness for Industry: Belize hosted the 2026 National CARICOM Disaster Relief Unit exercise, training military, police, and fire personnel on relief logistics, emergency communications, and deployment systems to protect key sectors like transport, agriculture, and tourism. Sustainable Livestock: Cayo farmers marked the closing of Phase Two of the Sustainable Livestock Project, training cattle producers on climate-smart practices like rotational grazing and electric fencing. Energy Workers’ Severance Push: Belize Energy Workers for Justice protested outside BEL’s AGM, demanding severance be included in any bail-out and questioning where company funds are going. Early Warning Value: New analyses on Belize’s meteorology and emergency management systems quantify how investing in forecasts and coordination reduces losses across hazards affecting the economy.

Drug Interdiction: Australian police say a burnt-out truck led to the country’s biggest cocaine bust—2.7 tonnes found in tubs under shipping containers, with two men charged after a high-value haul. Agribusiness & Food Security: Belize’s 2026 sugar crop is set to close Sunday (June 21) after stakeholders agreed on remaining cane and factory intake realities, with delivery gates set to stop at 6 p.m. Climate & Risk Management: Belize opened its National Climate Outlook Forum to guide agriculture, energy, water and disaster planning amid El Niño-linked risks. Energy & Labor: Belize Energy Workers for Justice protested outside BEL’s AGM, pressing for severance they say is owed and questioning how any bail-out funds are handled. Trade & Logistics: Belize and Mexico’s Quintana Roo discussed using Belize as a CARICOM gateway and linking Tren Maya to the Port of Belize to move cargo more efficiently. Agriculture Processing: Agriculture officials toured Orange Walk’s production and processing sites, including soybean, poultry, and papaya facilities, to support value-chain growth. Blue Economy: Hol Chan Marine Reserve retracted pending Letters of No Objection for projects not yet started, citing a nationwide moratorium on new structures and dredging. Disaster Preparedness: Belize hosted training for the 2026 CARICOM Disaster Relief Unit exercise, building regional response capacity. Sustainable Livestock: A Sustainable Livestock Project wrapped Phase Two training for cattle farmers in climate-smart production practices. Creative Industries: Belize’s cultural sector team exchanged lessons with Trinidad and Tobago to grow creative entrepreneurship and cultural tourism.

Food Safety & Public Health: A new food-safety roundup flags infant botulism linked to organic infant formula, plus calls for tighter regulation and better surveillance of infant food poisoning symptoms. Climate & Early Warnings: Belize’s National Climate Outlook Forum opened in Belize City, with meteorologists urging sectors like agriculture, energy, water, and transport to plan around the next six months’ hurricane, rainfall, and El Niño risks. Agriculture & Inputs: A bio-fertilizer push is underway in northern Belize, with a farmer-led bio factory planned to cut reliance on costly imported fertilizers and improve soil resilience. Sugar Industry: Belize’s 2026 sugar crop is set to close Sunday evening after stakeholders agreed on remaining cane and factory intake realities, following a tough season. Energy & Workers: BEL’s AGM drew renewed protests from Belize Energy Workers for Justice demanding severance, arguing a CCJ ruling should apply and questioning where bailout funds would go. Trade & Logistics: Belize and Mexico’s Quintana Roo met to explore using Belize as a CARICOM gateway and linking Tren Maya with the Port of Belize to move cargo more efficiently. Blue Economy & Fisheries: Women in Fisheries Forum activities highlighted sea-based livelihoods and value-added products, pushing for stronger access and leadership for women across Belize’s fisheries. Coastal Development Controls: Hol Chan Marine Reserve retracted pending Letters of No Objection for projects not yet started, aligning with a nationwide moratorium on new structures and dredging. Regional Finance: IFC confirmed up to US$15M for a Caribbean debt fund targeting SME financing and climate-resilience projects across Belize and other member states. Security & Justice: A Caye Caulker contractor was remanded on a murder charge after a fatal shovel beating of a construction worker, as police continue related death-matter investigations.

Sugar Industry: Belize’s 2026 sugar crop season is set to close Sunday evening (6:00 p.m.) after stakeholders agreed on remaining cane, factory intake, and weather forecasts—this comes as the season ends amid equipment troubles and a shortage of cane. Agriculture & Processing: Agriculture officials toured Orange Walk production and processing sites, including soybean, poultry, papaya, and meat facilities, to strengthen the value chain and boost food security and export potential. Climate & Resilience: Belize opened its 14th National Climate Outlook Forum to brief agriculture, energy, water, and other weather-sensitive sectors on the next six months’ risks, including hurricane and El Niño impacts. Energy & Labour: Belize Energy Workers for Justice continued protests outside BEL’s AGM, pressing for severance payments and arguing government bail-out funds should include their owed amounts. Trade & Logistics: Belize and Mexico’s Quintana Roo discussed using Belize as a CARICOM gateway and linking Tren Maya with the Port of Belize to improve cargo corridors. Blue Economy: Women in Fisheries Forum kicked off in Belize to support women across fishing, seaweed processing, and marine value-added businesses. Coastal Development Oversight: Hol Chan Marine Reserve retracted Letters of No Objection for projects not yet started, citing a nationwide moratorium on new structures and dredging. Regional Finance: IFC is investing up to US$15M in a Caribbean debt fund sub-aimed at SME financing and climate resilience across Belize and 12 other countries. Real Estate: The Agency opened Belize’s first office, signaling renewed interest in the country’s property market.

IFC/World Bank Finance: The IFC says it will invest up to US$15M in the Caribbean Community Resilience Fund debt sub-fund, with Belize among 13 countries targeted for medium-sized enterprise financing tied to climate resilience and sustainable development. Climate & Risk Planning: Belize opened its 14th National Climate Outlook Forum, with meteorology and emergency-management stakeholders reviewing the next six months of rainfall, temperature, and hurricane risks—key inputs for agriculture, energy, water, and disaster readiness. Sugar Industry: Belize’s 2026 sugar crop is set to close Sunday evening after stakeholders agreed on the cutoff based on remaining cane, factory intake, and weather forecasts; officials also cite factory issues and end-of-season logistics. Agriculture Value Chain: Agriculture officials toured Orange Walk production and processing sites, including soybean, poultry, papaya, and meat facilities, to assess growth and food security opportunities. Energy & Labour Dispute: Belize Energy Workers for Justice continued protests outside BEL’s AGM, pressing for severance payments and questioning how any BEL bailout funds are handled. Trade & Logistics: Belize and Quintana Roo met in Corozal to discuss using Belize as a CARICOM gateway for Mexican goods, including possible links between Tren Maya and the Port of Belize. Blue Economy & Fisheries: Women in fisheries forums in Belize highlighted blue-economy roles and access needs for women across small-scale fishing and seaweed value chains.

CARIFORUM–EU Trade Push: Dominican President Luis Abinader urged faster, more practical implementation of the CARIFORUM–EU Economic Partnership Agreement, arguing it should drive sustainable development, investment, and regional competitiveness. Climate & Disaster Readiness: Belize’s National Climate Outlook Forum opened in Belize City, with meteorologists and sector stakeholders reviewing the next six months’ rainfall, temperature, and cyclone risks—aimed at helping agriculture, energy, water, and tourism plan ahead. Sugar Industry Update: Belize’s 2026 sugar crop season is set to close Sunday evening (6:00 p.m.) after stakeholders assessed remaining cane, factory intake, and weather forecasts—amid reports of factory delivery and equipment challenges. Energy Governance Fight: Former BEL workers protested outside BEL’s AGM over severance payments, while the government’s plan to buy more BEL shares drew UDP criticism over the use of public funds. Blue Economy for Women: Belize hosted its Women in Fisheries Forum, spotlighting women in fishing, seaweed processing, cooperatives, and value-added marine businesses. Hol Chan Transparency Move: Hol Chan Marine Reserve retracted Letters of No Objection for projects not yet started, citing a nationwide moratorium on new structures and dredging. Agriculture Value Chain Tour: Agriculture officials toured Orange Walk processing facilities, including soybean, poultry, and papaya operations, to support producers and investment.

Sugar Industry: Belize’s 2026 sugar crop season is set to end Sunday evening after a unanimous June 16 decision by the Sugar Cane Production Committee, Belize Sugar Industries (BSI), and the four cane farmers associations—closing at 6:00 p.m. as remaining cane, factory intake, and weather forecasts were reviewed. Climate & Risk Planning: The 14th Annual National Climate Outlook Forum opened in Belize City to brief agriculture, energy, and water stakeholders on the next six months’ rainfall, temperatures, and hurricane risks amid El Niño conditions. Energy & Labour: Former BEL workers continued protesting outside BEL’s HQ during the company’s AGM, demanding severance payments they say are still outstanding. Coastal Development Controls: Hol Chan Marine Reserve retracted Letters of No Objection for projects not yet started, aligning with a nationwide moratorium on new structures and dredging. Blue Economy & Fisheries: Belize hosted the 9th Women in Fisheries Forum, spotlighting women across fishing, seaweed processing, cooperatives, and value-added marine businesses. Energy Governance Debate: The UDP questioned government plans to use Social Security Board funds for a BEL share acquisition, while BEL’s leadership argues energy security needs stronger investment and ownership. Diplomacy & Trade: Belize’s new Foreign Affairs CEO, Ambassador Oscar Arnold, kicked off meetings with UN and regional partners to push sustainable development and trade ties. Real Estate Investment: The Agency opened Belize’s first office, signaling renewed interest in the country’s property market. Crime (Caye Caulker): A Caye Caulker contractor was remanded after being charged with murder in a shovel-beating case that police say left a construction worker dead.

Media & AI Disruption: At the Caribbean Media Summit 2026, Belize’s 7News director warned that legacy outlets are losing audiences and ad revenue as tech platforms and AI reshape how news is monetized. Marine Development Oversight: Hol Chan Marine Reserve retracted Letters of No Objection for projects not yet started, citing a nationwide moratorium on new structures and dredging. Energy Governance: BEL’s energy security push is colliding with politics as the UDP questions a proposed $73M public funding plan to buy more shares in Belize Electricity Limited. Blue Economy & Fisheries: Belize hosted its 9th Women in Fisheries Forum, spotlighting women in fishing, seaweed processing, cooperatives, and value-added marine products. Coral Resilience Research: A new global study flags more climate-resilient reefs than previously thought, with only 28% inside protected areas—relevant for Belize’s conservation planning. Education & Skills: Toledo Community College broke ground on a $2M STEAM Pavilion to expand training in southern Belize. Trade & Diplomacy: Belize’s new Foreign Affairs CEO kicked off meetings with UN and regional partners to advance trade ties and upcoming SICA responsibilities. Agriculture & Finance: Belizean farmers can now apply for CARICOM Farmer of the Year awards, while Corozal Credit Union reported improved shares, liquidity, and surplus under administratorship.

Women in Fisheries Forum: Belize opened its 9th Women in Fisheries Forum at Old Belize, spotlighting women across fishing, seaweed processing, cooperatives, and value-added marine businesses, with a push for better access and leadership in the blue economy. Blue Economy & Climate Resilience: A new global study flags far more coral reefs as potentially climate-resilient than previously thought, while Belize’s forum aligns with the same urgency to protect livelihoods and marine resources. Energy Governance Fight: BEL’s energy security push—backed by a bill to let government buy more shares—faces UDP opposition over using Social Security Board funds, as Belize remains dependent on imported electricity from Mexico. Infrastructure & Skills: Toledo Community College broke ground on a $2M STEAM pavilion to expand southern student opportunities. Agriculture & Exports: Belize farmers can now apply for CARICOM Farmer of the Year and Young Farmer of the Year awards. Finance & Trade Logistics: Post office and customs integration updates aim to cut shipping delays by tightening electronic advance data and customs declarations. Real Estate Investment: The Agency opened Belize’s first office, signaling renewed regional luxury property interest.

Blue Economy & Fisheries: Belize’s 9th Women in Fisheries Forum opened at Old Belize, spotlighting women across fishing, seaweed processing, cooperatives and value-added work, with a Blue Space Marketplace and calls for better access to resources. Sustainability in Industry: Caribbean rum producers, including Belize, are rolling out renewable energy, water recovery and waste-to-energy projects under WIRSPA’s first Sustainability in the Caribbean Rum Industry Report. Energy Governance: BEL’s energy security push is tied to greater investment and ownership, as government advances a Belize Electricity Investments Bill while the UDP questions whether Social Security funds should be used. Infrastructure & Skills: Toledo Community College broke ground for a new STEAM Pavilion, and highway renewal work is adding short-term travel delays amid fuel-cost pressure. Trade & Logistics: Belize’s Postmaster General outlined postal and customs integration updates aimed at cutting shipping bottlenecks caused by incomplete advance data. Education & Research: Georgia Southern University signed an MOU with the University of Belize to expand hybrid graduate pathways and joint research access. Agriculture: Belizean farmers can now apply for CARICOM Farmer of the Year and Young Farmer of the Year awards. Finance: Corozal Credit Union reports gains under administratorship, citing stronger controls and rising shares.

Education & Research Partnerships: Georgia Southern University signed an MoU with the University of Belize in Belmopan, opening hybrid pathways for UB faculty degrees and Georgia Southern access to Belize research sites. Real Estate & Investment: The Agency launched Belize’s first brokerage office, signaling deeper regional push into Central America’s property market. Infrastructure & Transport: Highway renewal work is adding extra travel delays, with officials pointing to weather variability and higher global fuel costs as key drivers. Blue Economy & Fisheries: WCS and the National Women in Fisheries Association held a Women in Fisheries forum focused on Blue Economy opportunities and a Blue Space Marketplace for sea-based value-added products. Sustainability in Manufacturing: WIRSPA’s first Sustainability in the Caribbean Rum Industry Report highlights renewable energy, water recovery, and waste-to-energy projects across Belize and the wider region. Trade & Logistics Modernization: Belize’s postal/customs operations are set for updates to reduce shipping bottlenecks tied to incomplete or late electronic advance data. Agriculture & Regional Recognition: Belizean farmers can now apply for the 2026 CARICOM Farmer of the Year and Young Farmer of the Year awards. Energy & Climate Resilience: Discussions continue on how deforestation near the Coastal Road worsens flooding, with calls for stronger natural retention and adaptive capacity. Tourism Skills: Belize Tourism Board’s Hospitality Sprint Series completed AHLEI Guest Service Gold training in Punta Gorda, with more sessions planned. Maritime Training: Coast Guard officers earned PADI instructor qualifications, expanding local dive training capacity. Sugar Industry Environment: DOE engaged sugar associations on environmental compliance through the BAC SUF project.

Regional Culture & Creative Industries: Belize joined Central America and the Caribbean culture ministers in the CECC/SICA meeting in the Dominican Republic, with an agenda spanning heritage protection, artists’ rights, cultural data, and digital rights tied to AI and copyright. Climate Resilience for Coastal Infrastructure: Belize’s Coastal Plain Highway and drainage systems are under pressure from heavy rains, with officials saying flooding is concentrated in short sections and will be monitored and repaired as the rainy season continues. Energy Security Planning: Belize Electricity Limited is preparing for possible El Niño impacts, budgeting up to $4M monthly to protect supply if drought reduces hydro output. Agriculture & Exports: Belizean farmers can now apply for the 2026 CARICOM Farmer of the Year and Young Farmer awards, while Belize’s sugar sector continues environmental compliance engagement with the DOE. Trade & Logistics Modernization: Belize’s Postmaster General outlined postal and customs integration upgrades aimed at cutting shipping delays caused by incomplete or late advance data. Tourism Skills & Market Push: Hospitality workers in Punta Gorda completed AHLEI Guest Service Gold training, and Belize promoted tourism at Mexico’s Mundo Maya fair. Business Growth Support: Rev-Up Caribbean is recruiting Belize entrepreneurs for its next cohort to help them become investor-ready. Legal & Industry Accountability: The Court of Appeal kept BSCFA’s Fairtrade premium claim alive against Tate & Lyle Sugars, and the PSU is demanding transparency over alleged questionable SIF contracts. Education & Research Links: Georgia Southern University signed an MoU with the University of Belize to expand research access and graduate pathways. Marine & Community Industry Signals: Belize fishers published the first-ever Belize Fishers Audit to drive sector recommendations, while Coast Guard officers earned PADI instructor qualifications.

Lead Paint Testing: Mercer University’s professors say a faster, cheaper method using X-ray fluorescence can detect lead in new oil-based paint and has been approved as an international standard, helping keep lead paint off shelves in low- and middle-income countries. Flood Risk & Land Use: A report links heavy Coastal Plain Highway flooding to deforestation and the loss of natural water-retention ecosystems, arguing Belize needs resilience beyond “natural engineering.” Trade & Logistics Reform: Postmaster General Algernon Gomes says Belize’s postal-customs bottlenecks come from incomplete or late electronic advance data, and outlines mandatory HS/value fields, clerk training, and pre-arrival transmission to cut delays. Tourism & Skills: Belize’s hospitality workers keep leveling up—AHLEI Guest Service Gold training hit Punta Gorda with a 100% pass rate—while Orange Walk ITVET launches an eight-month apprenticeship for electrical installation and A/C-refrigeration. Energy Preparedness: BEL is budgeting up to $4M monthly to manage possible El Niño-driven drought impacts on hydro power. Legal/Agri: The Court of Appeal upheld BSCFA’s Fairtrade premium claim, rejecting Tate & Lyle’s bid to stop the case. Marine & Industry: Coast Guard officers became PADI Open Water scuba instructors, and fishers published Belize’s first-ever Fishers Audit to push sector priorities.

Higher-Education & Research: Georgia Southern University signed an MoU with the University of Belize to expand research access and degree pathways, including marine biology and tropical ecology opportunities. SME & Investment Finance: IFC confirmed a US$15m investment into the CARICOM Resilience Fund Debt Sub-Fund, structured in senior and mezzanine tranches and aimed at on-lending to medium-sized enterprises across 13 countries. Trade & Logistics Reform: Belize’s Postmaster General outlined plans to tighten shipping bottlenecks by making HS codes and values mandatory in advance data, training counter clerks on customs declarations, and improving pre-arrival transmission. Sugar Industry Legal Update: The Court of Appeal upheld the BSCFA’s Fairtrade premium claim, clearing the way for the dispute to proceed to trial in Belize. Entrepreneurship Pipeline: Rev-Up Caribbean invited Belizean entrepreneurs to apply for its next cohort, backed by CDB funding and designed to unlock investor-ready growth. Tourism Skills & Service: Belize Tourism Board’s Hospitality Sprint Series continued with AHLEI Guest Service Gold training in Punta Gorda, while Belize also pushed regional tourism marketing at Mexico’s Mundo Maya fair. Energy & Infrastructure Pressure: BEL warned it may need up to $4m monthly to prepare for possible El Niño-driven hydro strain, while MIDH monitored flood impacts on key road sections like the Coastal Plain Highway. Marine & Coastal Capacity: Coast Guard officers earned PADI instructor qualifications, and fishers published the first Belize Fishers Audit to push sector priorities. Governance & Procurement Scrutiny: PSU demanded “opening the books” after SIF denied questionable contract claims tied to FAST Construction.

Postal & Customs Modernization: Postmaster General Algernon Gomes says Belize’s shipping bottlenecks come from incomplete or late Electronic Advance Data, with wrong HS codes/values triggering manual inspections and 2–5 day delays; the fix: mandatory HS/value fields at acceptance, UPU Customs Declaration System training for counter clerks, and pre-arrival transmission upgrades. Court Victory for Sugar Farmers: The Court of Appeal upheld the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association’s Fairtrade premium claim, rejecting Tate & Lyle Sugars’ bid to block the case and keeping alive an estimated $9M (plus interest) dispute. Entrepreneurship & Export Readiness: Rev-Up Caribbean invites up to 30 Belizean entrepreneurs for its July cohort, backed by CDB funding, to become investor-ready and unlock angel investment deals. Coast Guard Training: Two Belize National Coast Guard officers earned PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor certification after completing the PADI Instructor Development Course. Tourism Skills & Service Standards: Belize Tourism Board’s Hospitality Sprint Series delivered AHLEI Guest Service Gold training in Punta Gorda with a 100% pass rate, with more sessions planned for Placencia and Orange Walk. Energy Resilience: BEL is preparing for possible El Niño-related drought, budgeting up to $4M monthly to protect electricity supply. Infrastructure Under Heavy Rains: MIDH is monitoring road, bridge, and drainage performance as Coastal Plain Highway flooding hits small sections near Mile 16 and Mile 22. Agriculture Compliance: DOE is engaging sugar industry associations on environmental clearance and sustainable practices under the BAC SUF project. Regional Data & Food Security: Belize’s Statistical Institute joins Centroestad work on Food Balance Sheets, aiming to strengthen agricultural production and trade-flow data using AI tools. Clean Energy for Fisheries: CRFM’s STAR-Fish project scales clean energy and low-carbon upgrades for fisheries and aquaculture, including cold storage and certification support. Local Industry Growth: Copalli Rum from Punta Gorda is named among the Top 100 Spirits to Stock by the London Spirits Competition.

Coast Guard & Training: Two Belize National Coast Guard officers, Romario Cus and Ardele Avila, completed a PADI Instructor Development Course and passed the PADI instructor exam, boosting local capacity for dive instruction. Sugar & Courts: Belize’s Court of Appeal dismissed Tate & Lyle Sugars’ bid to stop the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association’s Fairtrade premium claim, keeping alive a case seeking about $9 million plus interest. Entrepreneurship & Investment: Rev-Up Caribbean invited Belizean entrepreneurs to join its July cohort, aiming to make businesses investor-ready with training and support to unlock angel investment. Justice & Domestic Violence: JPs were trained to respond faster to domestic violence cases needing urgent protection when court access is limited, strengthening the “bridge” to immediate safety. Energy & Infrastructure: BEL warned it may need up to $4M per month to prepare for possible El Niño-related dry conditions affecting hydro power, while MIDH monitored flood impacts on roads and drainage after Coastal Plain Highway closures. Tourism & Skills: Belize Tourism Board’s Hospitality Sprint Series delivered AHLEI Guest Service Gold training in Punta Gorda, and Orange Walk ITVET launched an eight-month technical apprenticeship for 20 young Belizeans. Agriculture & Compliance: DOE engaged sugar industry associations on environmental clearance and compliance under the BAC SUF project, while BSIF and Agriculture handed over vehicles to strengthen farmer support and research. Local Industry Wins: Copalli Rum was named among the Top 100 Spirits to Stock in London, and Hamanasi Adventure & Dive Resort ranked #1 in Central America and #15 globally in Tripadvisor’s 2026 Travelers’ Choice awards.