In July 2026, following its participation in a high-profile regional gathering hosted in Montevideo, Uruguay, Belize has laid out an ambitious roadmap to advance green industrial development and digital inclusion for its small business sector through a new collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
The UNIDO Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean, held 15 to 16 July, brought together heads of state, private sector stakeholders, and international development partners from across the region to address pressing challenges: how to strengthen industrial resilience, unlock inclusive economic opportunities, and build systems that prioritize long-term sustainability over short-term growth. Belize’s delegation, led by the country’s Ministry of Investment, took a prominent role at the event, showcasing its ongoing policy work and building new connections to support its development goals.
At the core of Belize’s policy agenda is a National Industrial Strategy centered on expanding the country’s green and blue economies. This initiative, which already receives targeted support from both UNIDO and the Government of Japan, targets high-potential sectors including sustainable agro-processing and low-carbon manufacturing. By focusing on these areas, Belize aims to drive balanced economic growth that creates local jobs while preserving its rich natural ecosystems, a critical asset for the nation’s long-term prosperity.
Beyond green industrial development, Belize is also prioritizing digital upskilling for its smallest business operators. Delegates held targeted working meetings with representatives from UNIDO’s AIM Global Alliance to explore concrete partnerships that would bring artificial intelligence training and accessible digital tools to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), which form the backbone of Belize’s domestic economy. These collaborations aim to close the digital divide, helping small local businesses compete in regional and global markets by leveraging cutting-edge technology.
Regional development experts note that Belize’s approach aligns with a growing shift across Latin America and the Caribbean, where small and medium-sized economies are increasingly turning to sustainable development and digital innovation to reduce reliance on traditional sectors and build more resilient, future-proof economies.