March 2017 | Business View Caribbean

68 69 I n 2015, the Government of Belize created the Ministry of Economic Development, Petro- leum, Investment, Trade, and Commerce, which heretofore had been the Ministry of Trade, Investment Promotion, Private Sec- tor Development, and Consumer Protection. The Ministry, as currently organized, has two administrative arms: Economic Development and Petroleum, which operates under the guidance of the Hon. Erwin Con- treras; and Investment, Trade, and Commerce which operates under the guidance of the Hon. Tracy Tae- gar-Panton. According to Taegar-Panton, the mandate of the Ministry is to “create the enabling environment for our country’s private sector partners, and our investment partners, to thrive and to be able to see a meaningful return on investment, and by exten- sion, to allow for a better quality of life for Belizeans. It is our job, our goal, and our responsibility to ensure that all these moving parts work in a way that is sustainable and brings benefits to those who need it most.” The Ministry of Economic Development, Petroleum, Investment, Trade, and Commerce The Ministry of Economic Development, Petroleum, Investment, Trade, and Commerce Making business happen in Belize