BCCI warns price controls could discourage investment

Current price-control regulations could discourage investment, reduce product availability and place smaller importers at a competitive disadvantage, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) has warned.

The BCCI, the country's leading private-sector advocacy organization, is calling on the Government of Belize to reverse the expanded price-control measures introduced in 2023, arguing that the framework—implemented during a period of exceptional global inflation and supply-chain disruption—no longer reflects prevailing market conditions.

In a March 11, 2026 letter to Prime Minister John Briceño, the Chamber said the measures were appropriate when Belize, like many countries, faced sharp increases in international shipping costs and inflation. However, it argued that the regulations were intended as a temporary response and should now be revised.

The Chamber said prescribed wholesale and retail margins do not adequately account for changes in freight charges, exchange rates and other factors that influence the landed cost of imported goods. It contends that businesses are left with less flexibility to respond to changing market conditions, particularly as international trade faces renewed uncertainty.

According to the BCCI, maintaining rigid pricing formulas under those circumstances could discourage investment in inventories, reduce the variety and availability of imported goods, and disproportionately affect smaller importers that lack the purchasing power and economies of scale enjoyed by larger businesses.

To address those concerns, the Chamber has submitted a draft amendment to the Supplies Control (Prices) Regulations that would largely restore the regulatory framework that existed prior to the 2023 changes.

The Chamber maintains that restoring the previous framework would provide businesses with greater flexibility to manage changing international costs while preserving competition and ensuring the continued availability of essential goods.

The BCCI has also indicated its willingness to meet with government officials to discuss the proposed amendments and explore policy options that balance consumer protection with a resilient and competitive marketplace.