Belize

Belize is an agrarian state specializing in international services. Agriculture employs 10.2% of the labor force, it provides 13% of GDP, in industry — 18.1% and 23%, respectively. More than a third of the population lives below the poverty line, and expenses significantly exceed income. For a long time, the economy of Belize depended on the prices of exported goods. It was mostly untreated wood. Then the economy was somewhat diversified, and now the share of sugar, bananas and citrus fruits gives up to half of export earnings.

Electricity production 452 million kWh. Leading industries: food processing, textile and woodworking. Insignificant oil production of 150 thousand tons (2014)

The navy has over 4 thousand vessels, of which 95% are foreign, registered under the Belizean flag. Large vessels with a displacement of over 1 thousand tons — 315 with a total cargo capacity of 1.8 million tons .

Belize is one of the main places in Central America for offshore companies. The country offers many tax advantages for both businesses and individuals wishing to open an offshore Belize.

In 2016, the volume of foreign trade amounted to: exports of $439 million, imports of $1.08 billion, a negative balance of foreign trade of $638 million.

Main export products: sugar 29% ($128 million), bananas 11% ($47.4 million), fruit juices 11% ($46.4 million), tobacco raw materials 5.5% ($24.2 million), shrimp, etc. crustaceans 4.2% ($18.3 million). The share of crude oil is approx. 2,6 %. Main buyers: Burma 24% ($106 million), USA 20% ($86.3 million), UK 17% ($74 million), Spain 3.4% ($14.8 million) and Jamaica 3.3% ($14.5 million)

The main imported goods are petroleum products, cigarettes and cigars, machinery and equipment, including vehicles, chemicals, consumer goods. Main suppliers: USA 33% ($357 million), Mexico 12% ($125 million), China 11% ($117 million), Guatemala 7.5% ($81.1 million) and Curacao 6.1% ($66.5 million)

Foreign tourism provides about 30% of GDP; about 10% of the economically active population is employed in tourist services, indirectly the tourism business creates up to 1/3 of jobs.