The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry
The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) is the largest private sector membership based organization in Belize. Founded in 1920, the organization has been consistently championing the causes of its private sector constituency and considers among its primary objectives the social and economic development of Belize through the development of all sectors of industry and commerce. Additionally, since 1997, the Chamber is the only recognized "Employers Organization" in Belize under the International Labour Organization's (ILO) tri-partite social partnership.
Currently the BCCI boasts a fluctuating membership of almost three hundred (300) Belizean businesses from a wide cross section of the agricultural, productive, service and industrial sectors. The BCCI's mandate is legally enshrined in Chapter 308 of the Laws of Belize under the Belize Chamber of Commerce & Industry Act.

#4792 Coney Drive
First Floor of Withfield Tower
Belize City, Belize
P.O. Box 291
Belize City, Belize
Central America
Tel: +501-223-5330 / 5331
Fax: +501-223-5333

Belize Tourism Industry Association
Formed on April 26, 1985 as a broad-based tourism umbrella organization, BTIA sought to bring together tourism related interests to meet the challenges of a dynamic and growing tourism industry in Belize.

In the early 1980’s tourism was of relatively little importance in Belize. Nonetheless, it was an evolving industry that was impacting various sectors. A group of individuals foresaw the importance of the industry and anticipated the need for a medium through which tourism concerns could be voiced. This group, lead by the late Mrs. Jean Shaw, conceived the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA). The association was incorporated under the laws of Belize in 1989 and has become one of Belize’s largest non-profit organizations, boasting some 600 members from Belize’s six districts. In 2006 the organization became registered under the Revised 2000 NGO Act, Chapter 315 of the Laws of Belize.

Today, the association has representation on almost every government, legislative, advisory, consultative and licensing committee, which in itself is proof of its continued commitment to national development. BTIA also plays an important role in the linkage of the private and public sectors. As a direct consequence of BTIA’s initiatives, in particular its advocacy efforts, tourism has become the fastest growing industry and has been pushed to the forefront of government’s priorities.

#10 North Park Street
P.O. Box 62
Belize City
Belize
Central America
Phone: (501) 227-1144

The Bar Association of Belize

The Bar Association of Belize (the “Association”) is a trade association of attorneys-at-law established pursuant to section 40 of the Legal Profession Act, CAP. 320 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000. The Association is a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal.

By section 40(3) of the Legal Profession Act, the objects of the Association are:

(3) The objects of the Association shall be-

(a) to deal with matters affecting the interests of the profession and its members and to take such action thereon as may be deemed appropriate;

(b) to take such steps as may be proper and necessary to ensure that adequate rules regulating the etiquette and practice of the profession in Belize are formulated and enforced;

(c) to prescribe and maintain the highest standards of learning, integrity, honour and courtesy in the legal profession;

(d) to represent the Bar in matters concerning the profession in relation to the courts, the Legislature, and the Government of Belize and in any form where the interests of the profession arise;

(e) to promote, assist and ensure the proper administration of justice and unceasingly to watch over and protect the civil liberties of the people;

(f) to promote and bring about desired law reform and to take all steps necessary or desirable to develop and maintain a public awareness of the need for a constant review of the law;

(g) to provide legal representation whenever the interests of justice demand it;

(h) to project the views of the Association on matters of public importance;

(i) to promote and foster relations with other professional bodies in Belize and elsewhere for the purpose of better achieving the objects of the Association, and to subscribe to and join or associate with regional and international professional organizations whose objects are not inconsistent with those of the Association.

The Bar Committee is responsible for the management of the business of the Association between the first general meetings in every year subject to directions as may be given by the Association at any intervening general or special meeting. The Bar Committee consists of the President of the Association, who shall be the Chairman, the Attorney General, the Vice-President, the Secretary, the Treasurer and three other members of the Association.

P.O. Box 1764
Belize City, Belize
Central America

The Association of Real Estate Brokers of Belize
Formed in January of 2006, AREBB was an institution long over due and quickly started addressing issues that were detrimental to the real estate industry in Belize. Chief among those issues was the Government of Belize's implementation of the GST (General Sales Tax) in June of 2006. Through aggressive lobbying, AREBB managed to reduce stamp duty (transfer tax) on property sales to 5% across the board for all purchasers, whereas before, stamp duty was 15% of selling price for non-Belizeans. Government went further and offered to charge stamp duty only on purchases above $20,000 BZD or on the portion of selling price above that amount.

AREBB is now actively engaged with the Government of Belize in formulating the legal frame work for operating as real estate brokers and salespeople in Belize. This legislation is known as the Real Estate Bill currently in the process of becoming the Real Estate Act.

P.O. Box 2217
Belize City, Belize
Central America.
Telephone: 223-5616