Foreign Investment Regime
There are certain criteria according to which the Government of Belize judges foreign investment. These are how it creates employment opportunities; if it makes maximum use of indigenous raw materials; if it earns foreign exchange; what are the results in increased production; if it enhances local management skills; if it promotes greater efficiency through competition; if it diversifies the economic base and facilitates access to foreign markets.
Longer term incentives are offered for the location of industries in the less-developed rural areas of the country, for the export-oriented projects or projects utilizing technology not previously introduced into Belize. The government prefers joint venture and partnership investments, however, 100% foreign ownership of an enterprise is permitted.