BelizeChamber_web

tionally, since 1997, the Chamber is the only recognized “Employers Organization” in Belize under the International Labor Organization’s (ILO) tri-partite social partnership. Currently, the BCCI boasts a fluctuating mem- bership of almost 300 Belizean businesses, representing over 1,500 employers, from a wide cross-section of the agricultural, productive, ser- vice, and industrial sectors. The BCCI’s mandate is legally enshrined in Chapter 308 of the Laws of Belize under the Belize Chamber of Com- merce & Industry Act. The specific objectives of the organization are as follows: The goals of the Chamber shall be: to en- courage, enhance and promote an investment climate which is favorable to both local and foreign investors; to continuously work towards the strengthening of the partnership between the public and private sectors, and the growth of private enterprise; to promote and encourage commercial ventures and capital investment; to promote the development of services, agri- culture, tourism, fishing, forestry, industry, aqua- culture, manufacturing, and other related fields; to undertake, promote, and facilitate economic and financial studies as a guide to investment; to consider, discuss, and take action on ques- tions directly or indirectly relating to or affect- ing commerce and industry generally, including promoting, supporting, or lawfully opposing legislative or other concerns affecting the entire country; to collect and distribute statistical and THE BELIZE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY other information relating to commer- cial services, and the business, tourism, and manufacturing sectors, including the professions and the trades in Belize; to foster and encourage co- operation among private, financial, and non-governmental organizations in the development and use of their human resources to strengthen and improve the economic development of Belize; to promote the development of export-oriented businesses so as to increase foreign earnings and aid growth; to actively promote Belize abroad as an ideal country for foreign investment and a popular destination for tourists; to promote and support the cultural and scientific advance- ment of Belize with due regard to the protection of the environment and the preservation and promotion of Be- lize’s cultural heritage; to liaise closely with the Government on matters of national importance and interest; to promote and foster the tri-partite rela- tionship with Government, Employers, and Labor through active participation in, and contribution to, relevant rep- resentative organizations and bodies nationally and internationally. The businesses that are members of the BCCI include, but are not limited to importers, exporters, manufacturers and producers, auto dealers/distrib-