IMF Country Reports cover economic and financial developments and trends in member countries. Each report, prepared by a staff team after discussions with officials of the country, is published at the option of the member.
International Monetary Fund. Western Hemisphere Dept.
Publisher:
INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND
Published Date:
March 2016
DOI:
http://dx.doi.org/10.5089/9781475548853.002
ISBN:
9781475548853
ISSN:
1934-7685
Page:
84
This paper discusses three important sectors of Belize economy: financial, sugar market, and energy. Belize's banking system has continued to strengthen since the 2014 Article IV Consultation in June 2014. Despite recent improvements, some banks' balance sheets are still weak and exposed to adverse macroeconomic developments. The sugar sector makes a very important contribution to Belize's economy. The sector is estimated to account for about 4-5 percent of GDP, 9-10 percent of total exports, 8 percent of employment, and 5-6 percent of foreign exchange earnings. But the reform of EU sugar regime, scheduled to take full effect in 2017, will most likely cause a significant drop in the EU sugar price.