On May 8, 2018, the Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE) hosted the official Welcome Event for the Belize Cacao Trade and Investment Mission that is taking place from 8 – 11 May, 2018 in Belize.

This mission is being held in partnership with the Embassy of Belize, Brussels and the European Central America Chamber of Commerce (EURACEN) with a delegation of potential investors, buyers and technical experts from Belgium and the Netherlands. The mission will serve as a fundamental stepping stone to build linkages with Belizean cacao producers in further stimulating development and improvement in the national cacao industry.

The brief Welcome Event for the visiting delegation was held on Tuesday, May 8, 2018 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Belize Training and Employment Centre (BTEC), Enterprise Room on the ITVET Compound in Belize City and included a Plenary Discussion on “The Cacao Industry in Belize”.

The Welcome Event focused on providing the delegation with an overview of the cacao industry with a focused panel from key government ministries and departments discussing the National Agricultural Policy, the Investment Environment and Incentive Programs, relevant trade agreements, and other regulations and policies in relation to agriculture and agribusiness development. The Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Patrick Andrews, delivered the Welcome Address while Ms. Lejia Melanie Gideon, General Manager of BELTRAIDE delivered the Keynote with the Delegation Address being delivered by Mr. Erwin De Weerdt, President of EURACEN.

Key panellists in the plenary session also included the Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Jose Alpuche; Director of Investment Policy and Compliance in the Ministry responsible for Investment, Trade and Commerce, Mr. Lincoln Blake; Director of the Directorate General for Foreign Trade, Mr. Andy Sutherland and Plant Health Officer at the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA), Mr. Kenrick Witty.
The visiting delegation will be meeting with various cacao stakeholders in southern Belize in fostering linkages and networking for development during the mission.

For more details, please contact the BelizeINVEST or EXPORTBelize units under BELTRAIDE at beltraide@belizeinvest.org.bz or at +501-822-3737.