A Digital Connect Center is Inaugurated in Caribbean Shores

The Government of Belize, through the Belize Trade and Investment Development Service, BELTRAIDE, has partnered with the United Nations Development Programme for the installation of digital connect centers across the country. The aim is to expand opportunities for micro, small and medium enterprises in their successful development. The Building Resilient MSME’s Accelerating Digitization Project is valued at seven hundred and twenty thousand Belize dollars and today, the sixth center was officially inaugurated in Belize City. It is being housed at the Small Business Development Center located on the third floor of the Fultec building on Coney Drive. It falls within Caribbean Shores, which Area Representative Kareem Musa says has the most number of small businesses per capita.

Narda Garcia

Narda Garcia, C.E.O., Ministry of Investment

“Today we embark on a journey towards creating another space where individuals from all walks of life can come together to learn, explore and engage with the digital world. This center will serve as a hub for innovation, education and more importantly for community empowerment. It will offer a wide range of resources, including high speed internet access, digital literacy programs, technology, workshops and much more. By investing in the digital connect center, we are investing in the future of our community.”

Kareem Musa

Kareem Musa, Area Representative, Caribbean Shores

“It’s an extremely innovative, connective concept. It allows entrepreneurs – not just from Caribbean Shores, but all across Belize City – to come and to get their business started and to get connected in a very meaningful way. And, as the executive director of BELTRAIDE said, to create digital relationships; I think that’s extremely important in today’s era – that we have such a portal as this one where you get the assistance that you need to get your MSMEs started.”

Diane Wade

Diane Wade, Senior Program Analyst, UNDP

“These digital connect centers are meant to build upon the government of Belize’s efforts in addressing social inequalities, joblessness and the digital skills gap by using local level digitalization as an enabler of economic development, social inclusion and resilience building. The center represents a beacon of hope, a gateway to knowledge and a platform for growth.”