Belize attends regional trade conference

Belize was represented at a two day trade conference last week in San Jose, Costa Rica. Over a thousand delegates from throughout Central America and the Caribbean gathered to discuss international business trade and the promotion of hemispheric integration. According to Rosalie Staines of the Belize Business Bureau, a major concern expressed at the conference is that small economies like Belize’s must be given a fair chance at survival in this new era of trade liberalization. Staines says, however, that coming out of the conference she is convinced more than ever that any trade agreement between Belize and any country with a larger economy is not going to be easy.

Rosalie Staines, President, Belize Business Bureau

“I felt that Belize, as I mentioned to you earlier, was a minor league player in a major league game. And it was very good experience for us. My main concern was, this was the question that I posed to one of the chief presenters, Mr. Thomas de Aquino who is Chairman of National Business Council in the whole of Canada. I asked him what advice he could give Belize in order to ensure Belize can receive equitable distribution of free trade. I wasn’t quite clear, I didn’t come away with any specific advice. I think it’s going to be a very challenging process for us.”

Also representing Belize at the Costa Rica conference were Mario Castellanos of the Trade, Investment and Promotions Services, TIPPS and Kevin Herrera, General Manager of the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry.