Selling to the Government
Government procurement opportunities exist in a wide array of areas, namely road infrastructure, education, healthcare, environment, energy, and consultancies. Belize is neither a party to the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement nor is it a party to any U.S. Free Trade Agreement.
The policies and procedures for government procurement are outlined in Belize Stores Orders and Financial Orders issued by the Ministry of Finance. Despite legislative and regulatory measures, many businesses complain about bureaucratic delays, corruption, and political partisan bias that affects receiving licenses, winning government contracts, and the granting of government land to private owners. U.S. firms have also identified challenges in participating and competing in areas related to the bidding, procurement, and dispute settlement processes, particular to SOEs. U.S. firms have complained of undue delays, weak and contradictory regulations, and roadblocks in implementing projects involving environmental assessments, energy, land title acquisition, and other purchasing agreements.
U.S. companies bidding on foreign government tenders may also qualify for U.S. Government advocacy. Within the U.S. Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration, the Advocacy Center coordinates U.S. Government interagency advocacy efforts on behalf of U.S. exporters in competition with foreign firms in foreign government projects or procurement opportunities. The Advocacy Center works closely with our network of the U.S. Commercial Service worldwide and inter-agency partners to ensure that exporters of U.S. products and services have the best possible chance of winning government contracts. Advocacy assistance can take many forms but often involves the U.S. Embassy or other U.S. Government agency officials expressing support for the U.S. exporters directly to the foreign government. Consult the Advocacy Center’s program web page on trade.gov for additional information.
Financing of Projects
International development agencies, such as the Caribbean Development Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the World Bank, provide funds for development projects in Belize. The European Union, the Department of International Development (DFID), and the OPEC Fund are other key sources of funds for developmental assistance. The Republic of China-Taiwan and Venezuela remain the largest bilateral creditors. Projects financed by these institutions are generally aimed at alleviating poverty and improving good governance, public health, education, tourism, solid waste management, and major infrastructure for buildings, roads, and ports.
Multilateral Development Banks and Financing Government Sales:. Price, payment terms, and financing can be a significant factor in winning a government contract. Many governments finance public works projects through borrowing from the Multilateral Development Banks (MDB). The Guide to Doing Business with Multilateral Development Banks overviews how to work with MDBs. The International Trade Administration (ITA) has a Foreign Commercial Service Officer stationed at each of the five different Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs): the African Development Bank; the Asian Development Bank; the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development; the Inter-American Development Bank; and the World Bank.
Learn more by contacting the:
- Commercial Liaison Office to the Inter-American Development Bank
- Commercial Liaison Office to the World Bank.