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Belize

BelizeCentral America
-10:00Hours behind the UAE
About the Country

General Information

National Identity
Official Language(s)English
National CurrencyBelize Dollar (BZD)
National Day(s)10 September (National Day) 21 September (Independence Day)
Capitals
Political / Administrative CapitalBelmopan
Economic CapitalBelize City
Cultural CapitalDangriga
Transport & Connectivity
Flight Duration from the UAE≈ 21 – 24 h Connecting flights
Primary AirportPhilip S. W. Goldson International Airport (BZE)
Primary PortPort of Belize
Geography
Land Area22,810 km²
Length of the Coastline386 km
Highest PointDoyle's Delight (1,124 m)
Primary Inland Water Body / RiverBelize River (longest river, important source of freshwater and transportation)
ClimateTropical

Border Countries

Map of Belize and its 2 border countries
GuatemalaMexico
2

Last Updated: July 2026Source: Internal Research

Key Facts

The Great Blue Hole is one of Belize’s most famous natural attractions and a world-renowned diving site.

Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official language.

The Jaguar Preserve in Belize was the world’s first wildlife reserve created specifically to protect jaguars.

Belize’s forests make up 60% of the country, one of the highest forest-cover rates in Central America and the Caribbean.

The island of Ambergris Caye is Belize’s most popular tourist destination.

Belize has the lowest population density in Central America, with only 19 people per square kilometer.

Belize is one of the best places in the world to spot whale sharks, the largest fish on Earth.

Garifuna culture in Belize is recognized by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Belize produces high-quality cacao used in premium chocolate around the world.

Belize has the largest cave system in Central America, with hundreds of caves explored by archaeologists and adventurers.

Belize is rich in history and culture, and is known for its Maya ruins, including Caracol, Xunantunich and Lamanai.

St. George’s Caye Day, celebrated every 10 September, commemorates the 1798 battle that helped shape Belize’s history.

Last Updated: July 2026Source: Internal Research

Economic Overview

Macroeconomic Snapshot

GDP, current prices3.3Billions of USD · 2025
Real GDP growth2.7%Annual percent change · 2025
GDP per capita, current prices7,968USD per capita · 2025
Population0.42Millions of people · 2025
General government gross debt67.9%% of GDP · 2025
Income levelWorld Bank classificationUpper-middle Income

Last Updated: October 2026Source: IMF DataMapper; World Bank Open Data

Economic Comparison

IndicatorBelizeUAEBelizeUAE
GDP, current pricesBillions of USD · 20253.3614.4
GDP, PPPCurrent int$, Billions · 20256.3871.7 (2024)
Real GDP growthAnnual percent change · 20252.7%6.2%
GDP per capita, current pricesUSD per capita · 20257,96854,151
PopulationMillions of people · 20250.4211.35
Unemployment rate% of total labor force · 20252.60%1.73%
Inflation rate (avg. consumer prices)Annual percent change · 20251.1%1.3%
General government gross debt% of GDP · 202567.9%33.9%
Income levelWorld Bank classificationUpper-middle IncomeHigh Income

Last Updated: October 2026Source: IMF DataMapper; World Bank Open Data

Foreign Trade

Belize's Top 5 Trade Partners

  1. 01United States of America
  2. 02China
  3. 03Mexico
  4. 04Guatemala
  5. 05United Kingdom

Belize’s Imports

Top 5 Import Sources
  1. 01United States of America
  2. 02China
  3. 03Mexico
  4. 04Guatemala
  5. 05Trinidad and Tobago
Top 5 Imports Globally
  1. Mineral fuels & oils
  2. Machinery & mechanical appliances
  3. Vehicles (other than railway)
  4. Electrical machinery & equipment
  5. Tobacco & manufactured substitutes

Belize’s Exports

Top 5 Export Destinations
  1. 01United Kingdom
  2. 02United States of America
  3. 03Trinidad and Tobago
  4. 04Ireland
  5. 05Jamaica
Top 5 Exports Globally
  1. Sugars & sugar confectionery
  2. Edible fruit & nuts
  3. Fish, crustaceans & molluscs
  4. Mineral fuels & oils
  5. Vegetable & fruit preparations

Last Updated: October 2026Source: ITC Trade Map (2025)

Political Overview

Leadership

Representative of the Monarch

H.E. Dame Froyla Tzalam

Since May 2021

Head of Government

Hon. John Briceno

Since November 2020

Minister of Foreign Affairs & Minister of Trade

Hon. Francis Fonseca

Since January 2024

Minister of Finance & Investment

Hon. John Briceno

Since March 2025

Minister of Defense

Hon. Michel Chebat

Since October 2026

Political Summary

Political System

Constitutional Monarchy and Parliamentary Democracy

The Prime Minister holds executive power and leads the government alongside the Cabinet. King Charles III serves as Head of State and is represented locally by a Governor-General, who handles ceremonial duties.

Ruling Party

People's United Party (PUP): Centre-left (since 2020)

Main Opposition Force(s)

United Democratic Party (UDP): Centre-right

Next Presidential Election

Not applicable (Hereditary)

Next Legislative Election

2030

Last Updated: October 2026Source: Internal Research

Membership in Key Organizations and Blocs

47Organizations
29Member
2Founding Member
1Partner, Observer or Participant
15Not a Member

Last Updated: July 2026Source: Official websites of the respective organizations

Competitiveness Indexes

IndexYearRank Out ofBelizeUAE
Economy
202670-5
202215313127
20235-4
2026110-22
Talent
202569-9
2025135-25
202519311515
Innovation
2026139-25
202569-9
Governance
202419314111
20241981129
Society
20261618251
2026171-44
202517211013
20251488969
2026163-73
20251472521
20261698371
AI
202436-8
202519515819

Last Updated: October 2026Source: International rankings and indices

Bilateral Relations

Diplomatic Relations and Representation

Date of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations10 Dec 199135 years of relations
H.E. Salem Al Owais
UAE Ambassador
H.E. Salem Al OwaisUAE Ambassador to Belize · Non-resident
Foreign Ambassador
No Accredited Ambassador

Last Updated: June 2026Source: MoFA; Internal Research

Consular Information

2025 Figures
Tourists
Residents
Students
Golden Visa Holders
Belize Nationalsin the UAE
----
UAE Citizensin Belize
----

Last Updated: October 2026Source: MoFA

Main Agreements and MoUs

Agreement / MOUStatusNotes
CEPAComprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement
Not Signed-
IPPAInvestment Protection and Promotion Agreement
Ratified
Signed on 2 Oct 2015.Entered into force on 24 Oct 2017.
DTADouble Taxation Avoidance Agreement
Ratified
Signed on 2 Oct 2015.Entered into force on 24 Oct 2017.
ASAAir Services Agreement
Ratified
Signed on 5 May 2017.Ratified on 17 Feb 2019.
Ratified— Signed and entered into force
Signed— Signed, but entry into force or ratification is pending
Not Signed— No signed agreement exists

Last Updated: September 2026Source: Internal Research

UAE Foreign Assistance

UAE Aid to Belize20212022202320242025Total Amount
(2021–2025)
Amount (USD Mn)------

Last Updated: October 2026Source: UAEAID

Bilateral Visits

Official Visits from the UAE

  • H.E. Salem Al OwaisAmbassador of the UAE to the United Mexican States
    Jul2026
  • H.E. Omar ShehadehEnvoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs to Caribbean and Pacific States
    Jul2026
  • H.E. Salem Al OwaisAmbassador of the UAE to the United Mexican States
    Nov2025

Official Visits to the UAE

  • Hon. Orlando HabetMinister of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management of Belize
    Dec2023
  • Hon. Anthony MahlerMinister of Tourism and Diaspora Relations of Belize
    Nov2021
  • Hon. Erwin ContrerasMinister of Economic Development, Petroleum, Investment, Trade and Commerce of Belize
    Oct2019

The officials’ titles shown reflect the positions held at the time of the visit.

Last Updated: September 2026Source: Internal Research

Trade

Non-Oil Bilateral Trade

USD Millions2022202320242025% Change (2024–2025)
UAE imports from Belize1000+1053.6%
UAE exports to Belize1591116+42.6%
UAE re-exports to Belize6222-19.2%
Total non-oil trade with Belize22111318+34.3%
CAGR (2022–2025)-7.37%

Last Updated: October 2026Source: MoFT

Rank Among UAE's Trade Partners

167thNon-oil trade partner of the UAEout of 246
183rdSource of UAE importsout of 242
138thDestination for UAE exportsout of 221
176thDestination for UAE re‑exportsout of 227

Last Updated: October 2026Source: MoFT

Key Trade Commodities

Top 5 Imports from Belize

  1. 1Foodstuffs, beverages, spirits and tobacco
  2. 2Machinery, sound recorders, reproducers and parts
  3. 3Footwear, umbrellas, articles of feather & hair
  4. 4Textiles and textile articles
  5. 5Works of art, collectors' pieces and antiques

Top 5 Exports to Belize

  1. 1Foodstuffs, beverages, spirits and tobacco
  2. 2Machinery, sound recorders, reproducers and parts
  3. 3Mineral products
  4. 4Vegetable products
  5. 5Miscellaneous manufactured articles

Top 5 Re-exports to Belize

  1. 1Foodstuffs, beverages, spirits and tobacco
  2. 2Vehicles of transport
  3. 3Products of the chemical or allied industries
  4. 4Textiles and textile articles
  5. 5Machinery, sound recorders, reproducers and parts

Last Updated: October 2026Source: FCSC

Foreign Direct Investment Flows

FDI Inflows (Into the UAE)-
FDI Outflows (UAE Abroad)-

Source: fDi Markets

Major Companies and Investments

Major Belizean Companies in the UAE

  • Axiory Global LtdAxiory Global LtdFinancial services

Major UAE Companies in Belize

  • -

Last Updated: April 2026Source: Internal Research

Business Support

Joint Business Council(s)-

Cooperation Opportunities

Priority level: HIGH / MEDIUM / EMERGING, based on overall attractiveness to the UAE.

Last Updated: September 2026Source: Internal Research