Could Belize Become Central America’s Next Trade Giant?
Belize could become the missing link in a powerful new trade route connecting Mexico and Guatemala. Prime Minister John Briceño says the Inter-American Development Bank is studying a possible extension of the Tren Maya into Belize, through Belize City and onward to Guatemala. He believes the railway, paired with a modern port, could give southern Mexico easier access to imported goods and provide relief for Guatemala’s congested Atlantic port. Beyond tourism, the project could place Belize at the center of regional commerce and create major economic opportunities.
Prime Minister John Briceño
“Well so far, what we’ve been doing is that we’re working with the IDB. IDB is doing a study to see what it would take to get Tren Maya all the way to Belize. As I said earlier, or before, is that if we can get Tren Maya to come into Belize and then connect Belize City, and then connect into Guatemala, it opens up, not only from the tourism industry, but also even the port facilities. We’re in the process of building a new port and the southern part of Mexico needs to use Belize’s port. As we modernize it, it is going to make it easier to transport goods from the port into Mexico. And even Guatemala, in the Atlantic side, they’re having a lot of problems. Their port is too small for the amount of commerce that’s coming in and I’m told that there are times when a ship would have to wait three weeks or more to be able to discharge. So once we put in these modern facilities in Belize, then they can come to Belize and transship from Belize into Guatemala. So there are a lot of spinoff opportunities that we can have with the connection of Tren Maya.”
Belize is Willing to Bet on Tren Maya’s Long-Term Payoff
The bigger question is not whether Belize can bring the Tren Maya across the border, but whether the country can afford to invest in a railway that has yet to reach its full potential in Mexico. Prime Minister John Briceño admits the extension would carry a hefty price tag and says the government must proceed carefully. Still, he argues that major infrastructure projects take years to attract customers and become profitable, much like a new airport. With trade already flowing between Belize and Mexico, Briceño says a feasibility study will now determine whether the railway can generate enough tourism and commercial activity to justify the investment.
Reporter
“Tren Maya is viewed as underperforming in Mexico. So, is it realistic to invest and really bring that into Belize as well?”
Prime Minister John Briceño
“Well obviously it is a large investment for Belize and it is something that we have to take great care whenever we do that. The Tren Maya investment is not something that is expected to be able to work overnight. It’s something that will take time, it will take years. For instance, if you build an airport, you don’t expect on day one that it’s going to be profitable. It takes time to be able to build the clientele and the customers that are going to use it. So, we recognize that fact, but as it is right now, we do have trade. We do have Mexicans having to move their products or their imports. We want to do the study to see how it would be able to work for Belize.”
So, before Belize climbs aboard the Tren Maya, the numbers will have to show that the journey is worth the cost.
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