BPF Pushes 'Buy Belize First' Policy to Boost Local Economy

Belize People's Front Leader Nancy Marin is calling for a "Buy Belize First" procurement policy, arguing that government spending should prioritize Belizean-made goods to strengthen local businesses and reduce the country's dependence on imports.

Marin unveiled the proposal as part of a broader economic policy statement in which she argued that government procurement should become a tool for building domestic industries rather than supporting overseas producers where local alternatives are available.

According to Marin, every unnecessary dollar spent on imported goods represents money leaving the Belizean economy instead of supporting local workers, manufacturers, farmers and entrepreneurs. She cited examples such as imported government furniture, agricultural products purchased by the tourism industry despite local supply, and overseas procurement of military and police footwear where Belizean manufacturers may have the capacity to meet demand.

She maintained that no country achieves lasting prosperity by relying heavily on imported goods while failing to develop its own productive sectors.

The proposal forms part of a wider economic platform that questions the government's reliance on Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth as the principal measure of economic success. Marin argued that GDP does not indicate whether economic gains are broadly shared, whether Belizean-owned businesses are benefiting, or whether the economy is becoming more resilient.

She also called for greater transparency in public procurement, saying major government contracts, evaluation criteria, participating bidders and awarded amounts should be published to strengthen public confidence in the contracting process. Her statement also referenced recent public concerns arising from the SmartStream leaks and allegations involving politically connected contracts, while noting that any allegations remain matters for investigators and the courts.

Marin further questioned the recently adopted definition of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), arguing that Belize should tailor its policies to local economic realities rather than rely on models developed for larger economies. She said financing programmes, tax incentives and procurement opportunities should better reflect the circumstances facing Belizean businesses.

Among the Belize People's Front's proposals are targeted incentives to expand domestic manufacturing, increased investment in value-added production, affordable financing for local enterprise, workforce development, and broader measures of economic performance, including household income, domestic manufacturing output, business creation, productivity, poverty reduction and import dependency.

Marin said Belize faces a choice between continuing an economic model driven by imports and government spending or pursuing one centered on local enterprise, transparent governance and productive investment. She said the party's vision is an economy in which business success is determined by innovation, entrepreneurship and hard work rather than political connections.