Belize is a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and adheres to its credit agreements. Although no bilateral investment treaty has been signed with the US, any disputes between U.S. investors and Belize investors are usually resolved via international arbitration panels or courts.
Belize lacks awareness regarding responsible business conduct (RBC). Few NGOs, investor funds, and worker unions promote and monitor RBC practices.
How Credit Scores Are Calculated
Belize’s legal system is generally stable, though corruption remains a problem. Civil liberties are generally well protected, while nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) investigating alleged corruption receive limited government protection. There are a few state-owned enterprises, including Belize Development Finance Corporation (DFC), that offer loan financing for various sectors; individuals must either be citizens or permanent residents to qualify for loans offered through DFC while companies must possess at least 51% local ownership for consideration.
Regulative authority exists at both local and national levels of government, with national laws providing guidance for policies enacted by legislatures and implemented by cabinet ministers. Local laws govern property taxes and license issuance; furthermore, there are quasi-governmental organizations mandated by law to manage specific regulatory processes on behalf of the government; these include the Belize Tourism Board, Belize International Development Enterprise Centre, and the Belize Agricultural Health Authority.
Belize generally welcomes foreign direct investment (FDI), yet businesses report difficulties associated with land insecurity, bureaucracy, and poor public infrastructure making doing business difficult. All foreign investors must abide by Central Bank of Belize regulations such as Exchange Control Act regulations as well as government-sponsored incentives (tax relief and concessionary credit for example) offered to businesses owned 51 percent by Belizeans in order to qualify.
Belizean currency is pegged to the US dollar at a fixed exchange rate of two Belize dollars for every one US dollar, with no minimum wage requirements or overtime provisions; however, an employment injury benefit program exists and skilled workers from CARICOM member countries can obtain the Caribbean Certificate of Recognition for CARICOM Skills Qualifications to work throughout the region.
Belize enjoys an improving economic climate and government commitment to continued macroeconomic stability is evident. High inflation remains an area of concern that could undermine Belize’s export-driven economy, so their monetary authorities have responded by decreasing interest rates and expanding financial system liquidity in response to rising inflation rates.
How the Scores Are Reported
Though inflation in recent years has been high, staff still considers Belize’s public debt sustainable given current policies. GDP rebasing and continued fiscal consolidation contributed to this conclusion, along with debt operations such as The Nature Conservancy’s debt-for-marine protection swap along with low-interest rates and robust economic growth. Gross financing needs and rollover risks should remain manageable over the medium term with principal repayments set to resume for blue loans by 2032.
Inflation remains high in Belize due to rising global food and fuel costs, according to statistical analyses using time series econometric models. Global factors account for approximately 70% of the variation in inflation rates in Belize.
Belize’s central bank has taken emergency steps to support the economy, such as providing credit facilities to financial institutions, statutory corporations, and similar entities. Furthermore, they possess the authority to purchase financial assets such as debt securities and loans from domestic banks as well as maintain multicurrency systems that allow domestic companies to open foreign exchange accounts.
Foreign residents do not face any restrictions in opening bank accounts in Belize, though the Central Bank does have regulations that vary based on residency status and whether one wishes to open either a local currency account or foreign currency account – with foreign currency accounts only approved by them.
The monetary authorities actively monitor the external environment. The Purchasing Power Parity index has remained steady, while the current account deficit is moderate. Remittance inflow is projected to decline slightly over time as growth slows and economies adjust to new cyclical forces.
The Role of the Credit Bureau of Belize in Assessing Creditworthiness
The Credit Bureau of Belize assesses creditworthiness throughout Belize. Credit reporting plays an integral role in numerous industries such as banking, insurance, and government – from financial to government lending. Lenders use them to make informed decisions and protect themselves against fraud; companies use them to determine which customers they should serve and can also use a score to identify opportunities to reduce interest payments by cutting their cash flow costs.
Belize is a middle-income, developing economy whose key sectors include agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing. Belize boasts an expansive financial system composed of five domestic banks and three international ones as well as its Financial Inclusion Agenda development project and National Anti Money Laundering/Counter Terror Financing Regime Assessment process; yet, its financial sector remains vulnerable to shocks owing to repeated crises over the last decade.
Since mid-2021, inflation has experienced an exponential surge due to global factors. A principal component analysis and Phillips curve estimate suggest rising oil prices, appreciation of the US dollar, and projected decreases in commodity prices are to blame. Directors urged authorities to accelerate reforms of the labor market to boost employment and wages as well as reduce household debt in order to alleviate inflationary pressures and ease inflationary concerns.
Domestically, authorities have taken steps to improve fiscal discipline and monetary policy. Unfortunately, delays in some measures’ implementation and an increase in expenditure commitments will likely make it challenging for them to meet their targets for fiscal year 2005/06. To restore creditworthiness, they should work to decrease domestic demand while closing external financing gaps in order to meet those targets.
Foreign investment in Belize has decreased. Investors are wary of investing in a country with a weak fiscal position and high debt-to-GDP ratio. Belize needs to strengthen the rule of law, promote economic diversification, increase efficiency in public institutions, and further improve third-party indicators of governance to regain business confidence. In addition, ministerial discretion in certain business-related processes creates uncertainty which must be replaced with more predictable and rules-based systems that increase business certainty.
The Belize Barrier Reef, one of the longest reefs in the Western Hemisphere and home to over 1,400 species is threatened by climate change, overfishing, and unchecked coastal development projects. Furthermore, Belize’s fragile ecosystem faces threats such as habitat fragmentation and pollution from numerous sources.
The Legality of Credit Scores in Belize
Belize lacks an effective credit rating system, though efforts are being taken to enact legislation related to credit reporting and create the financial infrastructure required for credit bureaus. A credit report would enable government regulators to play an active role in overseeing financial institutions more proactively; and should anyone prove unsuitable for financing, their report could serve as evidence against giving out loans or mortgages.
Credit ratings could assist consumers in understanding the true cost of borrowing and making more informed choices when applying for loans, something which is particularly crucial in Belize given that there is no comprehensive consumer protection law; however, the Bank of Belize is able to enact consumer debt protection measures; further supported by having numerous banks subject to its regulations which align closely with international standards and the WTO.
Due to increased economic integration among Caribbean nations, Belize has signed and ratified both the Convention on Recognising and Enforcing Foreign Arbitral Awards and the United Nations Convention for Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG), both of which have been implemented into domestic law by way of Belize Civil Code. Furthermore, Belize Central Bank is working on reforms designed to strengthen its regulatory framework; recently merging offices for business income tax with personal income tax departments; offering an online tax payment system; lowering business tax rates to promote lending in key foreign exchange earning sectors while raising rates on certain categories of goods in order to stem leakage.
CariCRIS, the Caribbean’s leading rating agency, has awarded Belize Bank Limited with a B+ Local Currency Long-Term Credit Rating. This designation recognizes their strong presence within Belize’s commercial banking industry as well as their robust risk management framework and quality assets. Furthermore, solid liquidity positions and capitalization levels also played an essential role in receiving such recognition from CariCRIS.
Belize’s hurricane season stretches from mid-May through November and it is wise to avoid making major travel plans during this time. Furthermore, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis are a possibility in this country and it would be wise to conduct thorough research before booking flights and accommodation in your destination country.
