Look at pictures for this great Event at Exotic Caye Click here

You’ve been hearing for years how Central America has become an increasingly desirable location for North Americans to reside.  With its beautiful palm tree-lined beaches, tropical climate year-round, and affordability, it is no wonder that so many folks are making the move.

Recognizing that Belize was faced with the inevitable loss of preferential markets for its traditional exports, the Government of Belize created the Trade and Investment Promotion Service (TIPS) in 1997. TIPS was created to provide investors with trade and investment information as well as to facilitate business processes. In 1998, TIPS was renamed the Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE) and given a wider mandate. The vision was for BELTRAIDE to operate as a one-stop-shop where local and foreign investors could access technical information important for the successful implementation of their projects.

Manuel Heredia is Belize’s Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Culture. He lives on Ambergris Caye, where we often bump into him. In December he summarized Belize’s accomplishments of 2011. And he described some of the goals for 2012. Belize is planning an exciting year long calendar of activities in 2012, to commemorate the conclusion of a B’ak”tun, and look forward to the dawning of a new era…

The Heads of Departments representing the Ministries of Belize attended this year end meeting.  Here are a few of the infrastructure and tourism 2011 accomplishments, and 2012 plans:

Spending the last several months on Ambergris Caye, Belize there have be many highlights from my morning runs along the beaches and trails along the Caribbean Sea. While staying at my favorite location- The Exotic Caye Resort, my morning consists of the mandatory workout of running and swimming. Just walk out of your room and toward the beach.

It’s now officially 2012 – the year the Mayan calendar comes to a much anticipated end. There’s worldwide buzz and considerable conjecture… What will really happen on December 21st? Here in Belize, the excitement is growing. This Mayan history and presence is notable in this small country. Unlike TV pundits, Belizeans don’t expect the world to end. What they are planning is a series of unusual events, and initiatives, to celebrate this momentous year.

Cahal Pech in San Ignacio

Belize is a tiny Caribbean nation that has been quietly transforming itself into an international banking center, offering clients around the world a level of privacy and services once associated exclusively with major European banking centers.

"The surest way to avoid and minimize the difficulty for individual US persons is to open your foreign bank accounts before the [HIRE Act] takes effect on January 1, 2013, and move funds that you want to use to buy international assets out of the U.S. before then."  International Business Attorney Joel Nagel, in May's Hemispheres newsletter.

In January 2013, the U.S. government will radically change the way it treats international bank transfers by U.S. persons worldwide ... and it's drafting banks worldwide as its enforcement agents.

Belize is a leading Central American international banking jurisdiction.  In addition to commercial banks that serve local customers, Belize has developed a small but growing community of international banks, serving customers from around the world in a variety of currencies.

Legislation such as the International Business Companies Act of 1990, the Offshore Banking (Amendment) Act of 2002, the Money Laundering Prevention (Amendment) Act of 2002, and the Trust Act of 1992 have officially established Belize as one of the leading international banking jurisdictions worldwide, incorporating the most secure features of international instruments instituted in Hong Kong, Panama and Cayman.

During the last two years, Ambergris Caye, Belize, has been the recipient of a flurry of awards, recognizing its enticing Caribbean island lifestyle. Here are just a few:

• The Best Island to Retire on – Islands Magazine 2009
• The Best Island in the Americas – Travel and Leisure Magazine 2009
• The Second Best Place to Vacation in Mexico and Latin America – Travel & Leisure 2010
• The Second Best Relaxation & Spa Destination in Central & South America – Trip Advisor Traveler’s Choice 2010 Awards

Why is this quirky little Caribbean island, that sits 35 miles off the coast of Belize, garnering so much attention? And, more importantly, what’s it really like to live and retire there?