News

Economic growth is expected to remain robust above 6 percent and inflation contained at 2 percent in 2017. The macroeconomic outlook for 2018 is favorable. To maintain growth momentum and debt sustainability over the medium-term, continued progress on reforms is needed.

Adverse developments negatively impacted the Belizean economy in 2016, with strong expansion of tourism the only bright spot.

The recently announced 100-Day Economic Stimulus Plan is a welcome initiative and will help cut the 2017 fiscal deficit significantly. Further reductions in the deficit will be needed in the next few years, and can be achieved by bringing down public sector wage costs.

The prolonged political uncertainty has taken a toll on economic growth, with investment suffering because of weak sentiment.