Hon. Christopher Coye, Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development, and Investment, participated in meetings with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in Washington, D.C. this week. During these discussions, he signed the 2025 Country Programme with IDB Vice President for Countries, Ms. Anabel Gonzalez.
The 2025 program will include support for three technical cooperation projects and two investment initiatives, focusing on empowering women in the workforce. Belize is also receiving assistance through the ‘ONE Caribbean’ program, which helps prepare projects to meet market standards and attract investment.
In addition, the IDB launched a new regional initiative called ‘América en el Centro,’ aimed at boosting productivity, regional integration, climate adaptation, and social development for youth. This collaborative effort includes governments from Central America, Panama, and the Dominican Republic, focusing on a shared development agenda for sustainable growth and climate resilience.
Through the ‘América en el Centro’ program, Belize will receive support for energy and logistics, positioning it as a more efficient logistics corridor for trade among Central America, southern Mexico, and the Caribbean. Three key technical cooperations will be developed under this initiative:
A feasibility study for road connections between Belize and Guatemala.
The Central American Sustainable Agro-landscapes Program.
Enhancements to the transition towards sustainable agriculture in Central America.
Minister Coye also engaged with finance ministers from Central America to advocate for Belize's membership in the Council of Ministers of Finance of Central America, Panama, and the Dominican Republic (COSEFIN), to promote further integration.
At the signing, Minister Coye expressed Belize’s strong support for the ‘América en el Centro’ program, stating, “Belize believes in the power of inclusive regional integration. By aligning our efforts, we are not just addressing local challenges, but actively creating opportunities for regional transformation.”
Comments