Today business persons from Belize and Mexico converged at the Biltmore Plaza Hotel to discuss measures can be taken to improve trade relations between both countries. According to the Mexican Embassy’s Head of Trade, Tourism and Investment Juan Manuel Saldivar, historically, trade has been limited but once hurdles are cleared out of the way, it should bring much benefit to Belize and Mexico.
Juan Manuel Saldivar, Head of Trade, Tourism and Investment
“Mexico, our exports to Belize, electricity is one of our main products and then also food for animals. And then from Belize to Mexico the exports are sea foods and other products. It is extremely limited. We have a potential as I mentioned, a huge potential. It is very limited because of the Customs systems in the two countries. There is no legal framework for trade. There are many constraints based on the tariffs. So one first step that we could take is to try to lower the tariffs.
The number of visitors that arrive in Cancun every year are millions I think and last year it was 11 million and this year, somebody told me yesterday about 17 million visitors to Cancun. So this is a market very close to Belize and I think that Belizean producers can provide many of the goods and services, goods especially, needed for those businesses in Mexico. It is really a huge potential.”
According to Juan Saldivar most of the business Belize does with Mexico is conducted in the state of Quintana Roo, in Chetumal. The Bi – National Forum on Belize and Mexico was hosted and sponsored by the Embassy of Mexico.
