Can Chamber of Commerce make trade easier between Belize and Mexico?

Israel Marin

Droves of Belizeans cross the border to shop or to get away, far more than the number of Mexicans that come to Belize. The trade imbalance has been discussed for many years and in many offices, and this morning the private sector made headway. The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry met with its counterparts from the Mexican state of Quintana Roo at the Chamber’s Belize City office.  By the end of the meeting, the Chamber and National Chamber of Commerce, Tourism and Services penned an agreement which officially established a joint chamber to be called the Chamber of Commerce of Belize and Chetumal.  It’s all in an effort to continue to encourage trade between the two countries. The chamber representatives discussed how they could encourage more Mexicans to visit Belize.

Israel Marin, Vice President, Belize Chamber of Commerce

“There were issues discussed trying to see why is it that we are not getting enough Mexican tourism here in Belize. The numbers that were given to us, for example, nine hundred and twenty-five entries or Belizeans reported into Mexico, which would be people coming from Belize into Mexico. That would be repeat entries. Through the statistics office, those were the numbers of entries that occurred in 2009. But if we look at the numbers of Mexicans coming into Belize, they are very small.  One of the issues that came up was that there is a fee that is being charged to the Mexican’s for them to come and visit Belize. I believe it is thirty-nine U.S. So imagine if we had to pay thirty-nine US every time we go to Mexico? I’m pretty sure that the numbers would decrease. So those are some of the issues that came up in the discussions. So if you say from this meeting we can get that tax off the table and we end up having fifty thousand Mexicans coming to visit in 2010 wouldn’t that be a positive result?”

Amparo Masson

Amparo Masson, President, Chamber of Commerce

“I believe what we have in the table is actually looking at specific issues, the immediate issues relating to border facilitation, trade facilitation in general, which would include border facilitation, which would include immediate means of enhancing and accelerating trade between the two countries; not one way. We try to ensure that whatever plans we have is based on reciprocity and so we are looking at immediate issues that affect trade between the two countries. Those are immigration, customs, increasing security is one area as well and certainly trade delegations from one country to the other and training opportunities for Belizeans that will increase the traveling into Belize.”

The chamber says it will distribute flyers at border points to tell Belizeans what are requirements for travel within Mexico. The same will also be done for Mexicans travelling to Belize. The delegation travelled to the capital this afternoon, where they met with the Prime Minister and discussed the agreement.