Belize: Investing

FDI in Figures

Belize encourages foreign investment, particularly export-oriented businesses established in the less-developed areas. The share of FDI stock in terms of GDP has been increasing since the year 2000. It has risen from 36% to almost 60% today. Tourism attracts most of the FDI due to the country's geographical location in the Gulf of Honduras and the development of the Green Tourism.

The main investing countries are Brazil, Guatemala and the countries of Central America.

For the first time, Belize was integrated into the report Doing Business 2011-2012 for its easy access in doing business. The country ranks 93 among 183 countries, which is a good sign of its evolution in the business environment.

Country Comparison For the Protection of Investors

	Belize	Latin America & Caribbean	United States	Germany
Index of Transaction Transparency*	3.0	4.1	7.0	5.0
Index of Manager’s Responsibility**	4.0	5.3	9.0	5.0
Index of Shareholders’ Power***	6.0	6.0	9.0	5.0
Index of Investor Protection****	4.3	5.1	8.3	5.0

Source: Doing Business - Last Available Data.

Note: *The Greater the Index, the More Transparent the Conditions of Transactions. **The Greater the Index, the More the Manager is Personally Responsible. *** The Greater the Index, the Easier it Will Be For Shareholders to Take Legal Action. **** The Greater the Index, the Higher the Level of Investor Protection.

Foreign Direct Investment	2008	2009	2010
FDI Inward Flow (million USD)	191	109	97
FDI Stock (million USD)	1,057.7	1,145.4	1,242.9
FDI Inwards (in % of GFCF****)	72.8	60.7	-
FDI Stock (in % of GDP)	77.8	86.3	-

Source: UNCTAD - Last Available Data

Note: * The UNCTAD Inward FDI Performance Index is Based on a Ratio of the Country's Share in Global FDI Inflows and its Share in Global GDP. ** The UNCTAD Inward FDI Potential Index is Based on 12 Economic and Structural Variables Such as GDP, Foreign Trade, FDI, Infrastructures, Energy Use, R&D, Education, Country Risk. *** Green Field Investments Are a Form of Foreign Direct Investment Where a Parent Company Starts a New Venture in a Foreign Country By Constructing New Operational Facilities From the Ground Up. **** Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF) Measures the Value of Additions to Fixed Assets Purchased By Business, Government and Households Less Disposals of Fixed Assets Sold Off or Scrapped.

Tax Rates

General sales tax (GST): 10%
Company Tax: 25%
Withholding Taxes: Dividends: 15%, Interests: 15%, Royalties: 15%.
Bilateral Agreement: Belize and Lebanon are not bound by a Double Taxation Agreement.
Social Security Contributions Paid By Employers: 6.5%

Country Comparison For Corporate Taxation

	Belize	Latin America & Caribbean	United States	Germany
Number of Payments of Taxes per Year	40.0	33.2	11.0	16.0
Time Taken For Administrative Formalities (Hours)	147.0	384.7	187.0	215.0
Total Share of Taxes (% of Profit)	33.2	48.0	46.8	48.2

Source: Doing Business - Last Available Data.

Investment Opportunities

Tenders, Projects and Public Procurement: Inter-American Development Bank, Tenders in South America
DgMarket, Tenders Worldwide
Setting Up a Company: Consult Doing Business Website, to know about procedures to start a Business in Belize.
Useful Resources: Belize Trade and Investment Development Services (BELTRAIDE

Business Setup Procedures

Setting Up a Company	Belize	Latin America & Caribbean
Procedures (number)	9.00	9.30
Time (days)	44.00	56.70

Source: Doing Business.

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