Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/353/REV.1 |
S-IV§41 |
Belize |
2017 |
Sectors |
General environmental reference |
Mining |
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The principal legislation governing the mineral industry is the Mines and Minerals Act (Chapter 226) and subsidiary regulations and, for petroleum, the Petroleum Act (Chapter 225). In addition, several other laws and regulations also affect exploration and exploitation of minerals and petroleum, such as the Environmental Protection Act, the Forests Act, and the National Park Systems Act.
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/353/REV.1 |
S-IV§42 |
Belize |
2017 |
Sectors |
Other environmental requirements |
Mining |
Relevant information
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For minerals, extraction of less than 16,000 cubic yards of material requires a quarry permit from the Inspector of Mines. A quarry permit is valid until end-December of the year in which it is granted. Extraction of more than 16,000 cubic yards requires a mining licence from the Ministry of Natural Resources. The duration of a mining licence depends on the estimated life of the deposit up to a maximum of 20 years. Prospecting licences are available for non-invasive prospecting as non-exclusive licences from the Inspector of Mines or as reconnaissance licences from the Minister of Natural Resources which allow for trenching, coring, test pitting, and subsurface sampling in areas of up to 50 km2 for one year. Exploration licences may also be obtained from the Minister for areas of up to 25 km2 for three years. All mineral rights require performance bonds to ensure compliance with the terms of the rights. Bonds vary with the scale of operations, the work programme and the sensitivity of the area. The standard bonds vary from BZ$3,000 for a quarry permit up to BZ$10,000 for prospecting licences. Licence applications must include permits from other relevant public agencies (such as a Permit for Land Reclamation if dredging is required, or a Permit for Environmental Clearance) and written consent from landowners or leaseholders if private land is accessed or traversed.
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/353/REV.1 |
S-IV§121 |
Belize |
2017 |
Sectors |
General environmental reference |
Fisheries |
Relevant information
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The International Merchant Marine Registry of Belize (IMMARBE) issues registration under the Belizean flag to international vessels through its headquarters in Belize City and offices abroad. No restrictions apply on ownership, investment or personnel for registration. A department of the Ministry of Finance, IMMARBE was operated until recently by a foreign company under a Management Services Agreement with the Government. However, in June 2013, the Ministry of Finance announced the termination of the agreement and the takeover of IMMARBE by the Belizean Government. [80] The registry had some 940 ships at the end of 2012 ; in 2015, the number of registered vessels was 879.
[80] Shortly before the takeover, Belize had been blacklisted by the European Union on allegations of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing on the high seas by foreign-owned Belize-flagged vessels.
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/353/REV.1 |
S-IV§126 |
Belize |
2017 |
Sectors |
General environmental reference |
Services |
Relevant information
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(...) Belize has also expanded its offer of tourism products to include nature and culture based eco-tourism activities. (...)
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/353/REV.1 |
S-IV§129 |
Belize |
2017 |
Sectors |
General environmental reference |
Services |
Relevant information
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(...) Most cruise traffic disembarks in Belize City, with approximately 3,000 passengers per cruise on a three times per week basis; this puts considerable pressure on the city's transportation system, waste disposal and other infrastructures. (...)
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/353/REV.1 |
S-IV§131 |
Belize |
2017 |
Sectors |
General environmental reference |
Services |
Relevant information
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(...) Other governmental entities involved in tourism include the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment; the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries; the Ministry of Works and Transport; the Coastal Zone Management Authority; BELTRAIDE; and the National Institute of Culture and History (NICH). Private stakeholders such as the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA) and the Belize Hotel Association (BHA), and several environmental NGOs complement the institutional framework for tourism.
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/353/REV.1 |
S-IV§133 |
Belize |
2017 |
Sectors |
General environmental reference |
Services |
Relevant information
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(...) The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation is currently assessing the tourism legal framework in order to align it under an overarching National Tourism Act to serve as a galvanizing instrument for long-term planning and development for the industry. The new legal instrument would include the areas of climate change, investment regime (public–private partnerships), developing new destinations and building local participation in the industry via economic opportunities.
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/353/REV.1 |
S-IV§134 |
Belize |
2017 |
Sectors |
General environmental reference |
Services |
Relevant information
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The tourism industry is guided by the National Sustainable Tourism Master Plan 2030 (NTSMP), endorsed by the Cabinet in October 2012. Based on a diagnostic study, the NSTMP sets guidelines for the development of the tourism sector, including government reforms and public private investments to ensure tourism is developed in a sustainable way. Some of the technical studies and works laid out in NSTMP are already under way: analytical reports have been prepared on tourism taxation, the country's tourism brand, and standards for the operation and classification of hotels and tour operators, while upgrades in tourism infrastructure have been undertaken.
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/353/REV.1 |
S-IV§135 |
Belize |
2017 |
Sectors |
General environmental reference |
Services |
Relevant information
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The Sustainable Tourism Programme (STP II) , launched in March 2016, is designed to support the implementation of the NSTMP, with the aim of increasing tourism's contribution to the economy. The STP II focuses on promoting investments in key emerging tourist destinations and on institutional strengthening and capacity building for policy-making, destination planning and management. Key components of the STP II are to restore and expand visitor facilities at several archaeological sites and support the development of nature-based tourist attractions and services.
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/353/REV.1 |
S-IV§140 |
Belize |
2017 |
Sectors |
General environmental reference |
Services |
Relevant information
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Belize has both natural and cultural resources that make it an attractive tourist destination, with significant growth potential. However, the development of the tourism industries faces a number of constraints, including insufficient quality of tourism facilities and services, lack of technical skills, and poor land and air connectivity. The authorities also note challenges relating to climate change and safety and security issues. They seek to address these shortcomings through the implementation of the National Sustainable Tourism Master Plan.
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Natural resources
Climate
Sustainable
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