BELIZE CITY, Wed. Nov. 11, 2021 — Today, during the first-ever Belize Investment Summit (BIS), the Government of Belize, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), released the first-ever Belize SDG Investor Map report. This report, compiled by the UNDP and the Government of Belize, features a list of 16 key investment opportunity areas (IOAs) in which advancement can also be made in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals set out by the United Nations.

The report features 16 specific investment opportunity areas and its strategic release at the Belize Investment Summit gives potential investors in attendance from all over the world the first opportunity to consider viable investments within Belize.

SDGs provide a roadmap to a more sustainable world, and achieving those goals will take public-private partnerships and investments. The UNDP’s SDG Impact and Investor Maps provide investors with useful data and recommendations on viable investment opportunities. This market intelligence is intended to drive the decision-making of potential investors. The data also points to viable pathways for public and private bodies to achieve their sustainable development goals.

“The IOAs highlights 16 investment opportunities for both local and international investors in areas that are aligned to sustainable development and aimed at diversifying the economy while providing investors with an attractive profit margin,” Hon. Chris Coye, Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, stated in a message contained in the report.

He said that the completion of this first report marks, “Belize’s commitment to accelerating investment growth aligned with the sustainable development goals and a more resilient economy.”

The UNDP resident representative for Belize, Mrs. Denise Antonio, stated, “The mapping process identified Investor Opportunity Areas (IOAs) and business models that respond to national development priorities. The IOAs are designed to connect national, regional, and international investors to actionable investment opportunities supported by market analysis and are aimed to advance progress towards the achievement of Belize’s SDGs while providing investors with favorable profit margins.”

In outlining the methodology and use of SDG Investor Maps the report states, “SDG Investor Maps are dynamic tools that provide a range of market-specific and SDG-aligned investment opportunities. All SDG Investor Maps are underpinned by a methodology that identifies Investment Opportunity Areas (IOAs) within national economic, environmental, and social development priorities.”

It goes on to note, “They are backed by data and evidence gathered through research and are provided as a public good to investors and governments in order to facilitate productive and SDG-aligned capital deployment.”

So, these proposed IOAs are geared not only toward attracting potential financiers but also toward achieving the SDGs of Belize. This means that investment in key areas for development, such as Agriculture, Education, Finance, Health, etc. are being focused on.
The 16 IOAs include: 1) Investment in Technical and Vocational Education Training, 2) Investment in E-learning Platforms, 3) Blended Finance Enterprise Fund, 4) Investment in Export/ Import banks, 5) Wastewater management and Treatment, 6) Bulk Port Development in Belize City, 7) Airport Development, 8) EV Public Bus Transport System, 9) Aqua Processing Plant, 10) Telemedicine — Digital Healthcare platforms, 11) Construction of a National Referral Hospital in Belmopan, 12) Solar Farms, 13) Microgrids, 14) Concession Arrangement for Protected Areas, 15) EV Charging Stations, 16) Business Process Outsourcing.