29 Small Business Owners Receive $7,000 Each

Twenty-nine small business owners from across Belize received grants of $7,000 under BELTRAIDE’s Belize Enterprise Empowerment Project (BEEP), a program aimed at strengthening the country’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Funded through the CARICOM Development Fund, BEEP was launched in 2024 with the goal of supporting 95 MSMEs over two years. Today’s award ceremony marked the completion of the program’s third cohort.

Narda Garcia, CEO in the Ministry of Investment, said the initiative is about more than delivering financial support. “The first cohort provided $475,000 in grants to 44 businesses nationwide,” she noted. “But it was never just about the money. Awardees earned their support through rigorous training in financial management, digital marketing, and investment planning.”

The funds may be used for working capital, equipment, product development, marketing, or packaging. For many recipients, the program has already reshaped how they operate.

Of the 29 recipients, 21 are women and 13 are from rural communities. Entrepreneur Kenima Williams of Kenima’s Garifuna Cooking Class said the grant will support cultural tourism and expand dive operations.

BELTRAIDE Executive Director Ishmael Quiroz said that support will continue long after the checks are issued. “There’s a lot of follow-up support,” he said. “We work with partners like Caribbean Export to ensure technical assistance and training continue.”

By the end of the project in 2026, BELTRAIDE expects all 95 MSMEs to receive funding, totaling roughly $800,000 in support for Belize’s small business sector.