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tionally, since 1997, the Chamber is the only
recognized “Employers Organization” in Belize
under the International Labor Organization’s
(ILO) tri-partite social partnership.
Currently, the BCCI boasts a fluctuating mem-
bership of almost 300 Belizean businesses,
representing over 1,500 employers, from a wide
cross-section of the agricultural, productive, ser-
vice, and industrial sectors. The BCCI’s mandate
is legally enshrined in Chapter 308 of the Laws
of Belize under the Belize Chamber of Com-
merce & Industry Act. The specific objectives of
the organization are as follows:
The goals of the Chamber shall be: to en-
courage, enhance and promote an investment
climate which is favorable to both local and
foreign investors; to continuously work towards
the strengthening of the partnership between
the public and private sectors, and the growth
of private enterprise; to promote and encourage
commercial ventures and capital investment;
to promote the development of services, agri-
culture, tourism, fishing, forestry, industry, aqua-
culture, manufacturing, and other related fields;
to undertake, promote, and facilitate economic
and financial studies as a guide to investment;
to consider, discuss, and take action on ques-
tions directly or indirectly relating to or affect-
ing commerce and industry generally, including
promoting, supporting, or lawfully opposing
legislative or other concerns affecting the entire
country; to collect and distribute statistical and
The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry
other information relating to commer-
cial services, and the business, tourism,
and manufacturing sectors, including
the professions and the trades in
Belize; to foster and encourage co-
operation among private, financial,
and non-governmental organizations
in the development and use of their
human resources to strengthen and
improve the economic development of
Belize; to promote the development of
export-oriented businesses so as to
increase foreign earnings and aid
growth; to actively promote Belize
abroad as an ideal country for foreign
investment and a popular destination
for tourists; to promote and support
the cultural and scientific advance-
ment of Belize with due regard to the
protection of the environment and the
preservation and promotion of Be-
lize’s cultural heritage; to liaise closely
with the Government on matters of
national importance and interest; to
promote and foster the tri-partite rela-
tionship with Government, Employers,
and Labor through active participation
in, and contribution to, relevant rep-
resentative organizations and bodies
nationally and internationally.
The businesses that are members of
the BCCI include, but are not limited
to importers, exporters, manufacturers
and producers, auto dealers/distrib-