TRADE IN SERVICES D e c e m b e r
2 0 1 9
ENGINEERS
PUBLIC PROCUREMENT
AUDIO VISUAL
Professionals
Transparency
Sound & Recording
w w w . d g f t . g o v . b z
T R A D E
I N
S E R V I C E S
2019
CONTENTS 03 06 08 09
Engineers in Belize
Belize Coalition of Service Providers
Belize's Trade in Services
Public Procurement: Securing Value for Public Funds
12
The Audio-Visual Industry
17
Expanding Tourism through Transport
19
Trade
The Signature of
in
services
records
6
IP Agreements
the
value
of
services
exchanged between residents and non-residents of an
economy;
including
services
provided
foreign affiliates established abroad.
through
Engineers
IN BELIZE
The WTO and Services Trade in Engineering Services are governed both internationally and domestically through the trade rules, Trade
policies,
regulations
Organization
and
(WTO)
is
laws.
a
The
member
World driven
multilateral organization that operates a system of international successive
trade
rules.
rounds
of
It
is
the
result
negotiations,
and
of its
operations involve establishing consensus among members.
"In July 1991, the WTO Secretariat compiled a services sectoral classification list (W/120)."
One result of such negotiations is the
General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), which outlines the disciplines on trade in services among WTO members. To ensure Member States comparability
and
consistency
undertaken at the WTO, in July Secretariat
compiled
a
in
commitments
1991
, the WTO
services
sectoral
120 1
classification list (W/
). [
]
In
1999
, a Working Party on Domestic Regulation
was established for the purpose of negotiations, and
to
replace
and sub-sectors covered under the GATS. The
Working
Party
on
Professional Services to ensure the regulatory environment
160
in
Member
States
is
transparent
4
The Working Party is guided by Article VI.
70
(S/L/
contained in the United Nations Provisional Central
develop
Product
services
which
captures
a
of the
GATS and the Decision on Domestic Regulation
sub-sectors are less detailed than the categories
(CPC)
earlier
and fair.
This is a comprehensive list of services sectors
Classification
the
)
which any to
call
upon
necessary ensure
WTO
members
disciplines
that
for
measures
trade
relating
to in to
wider range of services. Within this classification,
qualification
Engineering
under
technical standards and licensing requirements
Services
and procedures are administered in a reasonable
Construction (CPC
Professional and
Related
Services
fall
Engineering
511 518 –
).
requirements
and
procedures,
and impartial manner.
[1] World Trade Organization W/120 sectoral classification: Business Services, Communication Services, Construction and related Engineering Services, Distribution services, Educational Services, Environmental Services, Financial services, Health related and Social services, Tourism and Travel Related Services, Recreational, Cultural and Sporting Services; Transport Services, and other services not included elsewhere.
PAGE 3 ENGINEERING
The Association of Professional Engineers of Belize Photo credit: Santander
International Networks In
the
case
of
Belize,
the
services
sector
is
With
the
assistance
of
the
Belize
Coalition
of
governed by various sector specific regulations,
Service Providers (BCSP), APEB has been able to
from medical professions to tourism-related jobs.
access
Among
employment
these
services
sectors
are
engineering
2001
more and
information markets
on in
professional
Belize,
and
has
, the Association of Professional
strengthened its lobbying presence in Government
Engineers of Belize (APEB) was formed to support
in order to improve the environment for professional
the development of the engineering profession in
engineering services in Belize.
services. In
Belize and assist in the development of national disciplines
for
engineering
the
expansion
sector.
Its
of
vision
trade
is
"to
in
the
provide
continuous development of an organization that will earn the respect of the community by providing exemplary and
services,
experience
applying
acquired
the
to
formal
produce
training
the
best
possible solution for clients at an affordable cost."
The APEB has been working with the Government to
ensure
measures
foster
the
ease
of
doing
business for local and international engineers. To date, the association has of
which
six
are
83
registered members,
women,
who
through
the
association have international ties with the Latin American grouping, the Pan American Association of
Engineering
secretariat,
Organization
and
the
(UPADI),
Caribbean
regional
Council
of
Engineering Organization (CCEO). Membership to the APEB provides opportunities for professional development,
participation
in
seminars,
networking, and legal reform in the industry. UPADI hosts technical and professional conferences and CCEO
provides
training
and
networking
opportunities in the areas of wind loads, building codes
and
other
areas
of
engineering association in Belize.
PAGE 4 ENGINEERING
interest
to
the
ENGINEERS IN CARICOM
An agreement is yet to be reached, with respect to adequate procedures to verify the competence of engineering professionals between Belize and other
2
CARICOM
[
]
Member
States.
Both
have
been
unable to synchronize the requirements (education and experience) for professional registration. Nationally, foreign
with
firms
ten
in
locally
the
local
owned
firms
engineering
and
two
industry,
a Currently, foreign engineers can provide services in
coherent and enforceable regulatory framework is Belize required
to
manage
the
industry.
Currently,
the
positively
affected
the
without
registering
with
the
Engineering
Association, which should be prohibited because it Belize
Building
Act
has
does engineering however,
industry
the
weak
by
providing
enforcement
not
ensure
uniformity
in
the
industry.
standards;
of
the
legal
framework places the industry at risk. Additionally, as Government procures the services of foreign firms without requiring local partnership, especially
Additionally,
a
number
of
persons
are
posing
as
engineers without the proper qualifications; thus, putting the general public at risk and damaging the reputation of the profession.
with large projects, it may weaken the industry. Despite the challenges, the demand for engineering
The most recent development in the engineering
services
industry was the amendment to the Belize Building
demand coming from the Belize district. This is no
Act Chapter Revised
131
of the Substantive Laws of Belize,
Edition
2011
,
39
SI
of
2017
.
The
continues
to
grow
with
the
highest
surprise, since the majority of engineering services are
located
in
Belize
City.
As
a
highly
skilled
amendment’s objective is “to strengthen and clarify
professional
the
international growth is immense. The export market
relationship
Authority,
Local
between
the
Authorities
Central
and
Local
Building Building
Authorities; and to provide for matters connected therewith
or
incidental
thereto.”
However,
more
needs to be done.
industry,
is primarily the
the
potential
for
local
and
Caribbean. Looking ahead, there is
optimism for a well-organized engineering service sector which would be firmly poised to effectively take advantage of the domestic market and access foreign and more diverse markets. As the CARICOM Single
Market
deepens,
and
trade
Economy
in
(CSME)
engineering
integration
services
within
CARICOM is likely to increase. The free movement of
professionals
Person's
Regime,
qualifications
[2] Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname. [3] A mutual recognition agreement (MRA) is an international agreement by which two or more countries agree to recognize one another's conformity assessments results (for example certifications or test results).
under
3
[
]
the
mutual
and
better
CARICOM
Skilled
recognition
of
Information
and
Communication Technology (ICT) links will enable trade in engineering services to increase via the internet and within countries.
PAGE 5 ENGINEERING
Who are We The BCSP, established in
2010
, is an alliance of service sector organizations and
associations that functions as a lobby and channel for addressing economic development and trade-in-services issues that impact the services sector. The BCSP was established to help the services sector stakeholders advocate for the creation of an enabling environment which will allow the Belizean services sector to survive in the competitive, global marketplace and meet the challenges encountered in exporting their services.
01
What we do
Organizational Capabilities Functions
as
associations
the
secretariat
and
for
improves
04
nascent
-
Standards Improves services standards and ensure that
members'
service providers adhere to them.
organizational capabilities through assisting with their incorporation.
02
05
Grant Funding
Reviews
Assists member associations, through donor
submits
funding,
for
to
cooperation
build
capacity
through
arrangements
and
technical
Forum for Views
existing
regulatory
recommendations
government
to
adopt
environment,
and new
advocates laws
and
regulations to support trade in services and
project
protection of the Belizean consumer.
implementation.
03
Regulatory Environment
06
Education & Research
Serves as a forum for collating and debating
Educate members
the views of its members and represent their
regulations
interests to the Government of Belize.
business prospects.
and
about how
current laws
these
could
and
affect
Membership ASSOCIATIONS
01 02 03 04 05
Association of Professional Architects (APAB)
Association of Professional Engineers (APEB)
Association of Real Estate Brokers of Beli ze (AREB)
Belize Associati on of Contracting Professionals ( BACP)
Belize Associati on of ICT Professionals ( BAICTP)
06 07 08 09 10
Beli ze Association of Planners (BAP)
Beli ze Audio Visual Industry Association (BAVIA)
Beli ze Medical Tourism Association (BMTA)
Beli ze Spa & Wellness Association (BS&WA)
Customs Brokers Association of Beli ze (CBAB)
PAGE 7 THE BCSP
BELIZE TRADE IN SERVICES
2014-2018
Data Source: Central Bank of Belize
Top Four Areas 1. Travel, 2. Other Business Services (e.g. Professional and Research Services), 3. Government Procurement and Communication, and 4. Computer and Information Services.
PAGE 8
public procurement:
Securing Value for Public Funds The
public
procurement
of
goods,
services
and
works
is
a
standard
function
of
government which now constitutes a substantial share of international trade. Most countries now have vested interests in achieving "value for money" in the use of public funds for which governments are held accountable.
Government
Procurement
is
a
specific
built-in
agenda
in
the
Revised
Treaty
of
Chaguaramas (RTC) including the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). In
239
Article
of the RTC - “Undertaking" – provides that “Member States undertake to
elaborate a Protocol relating, inter alia, to government procurement”. The World Trade
1
Organization (WTO) [
] Plurilateral Agreement on Public Procurement applies only to
those members who choose to sign onto it, but no Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Member State has signed on so far. However, the WTO is now encouraging developing countries to sign. The current CARICOM position is to develop a regional regime, only, and to avoid commitments at the multilateral level.
In pursuing the RTC commitment, the CARICOM Secretariat has taken the lead role with the establishment of a Task Force on Public Procurement comprised of Senior Finance and Trade Officials. In Procurement
was
developed
2005
, the First Draft of the Community Policy on Public
and
disseminated
Secretariat secured funding under the
to
Member
States
for
review.
The
10
th European Development Fund (EDF) to
finance meetings of the Task Force to conduct related studies, procure computers
2017
and other electronic equipment which were distributed to Member States in
.
Belize is jointly represented on the Task Force by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Commerce.
In
2018
the
, a final draft Protocol on Public Procurement was developed and submitted to
Council
on
approval. The
Trade
and
Economic
Development
(COTED)
74
2
[
th Special Meeting of the COTED convened on
]
for
its
review
14
th June,
and
2018
to
consider the draft Protocol which was endorsed for presentation and final approval at
39 4 5
the
th-
(LAC)
th Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government held in Jamaica from
th July,
2018
complete
. The COTED also mandated that the Legal Affairs Committee
the
legal
review
of
the
document
before
its
presentation
to
the
Heads of Government. Belize endorsed this course of action by the COTED.
[1] World Trade Organization (WTO) hasmany roles: It operates a global system of trade rules, acts as a forum fornegotiating trade agreements, settles trade disputes between its members andsupports the needs of developing countries. {2] COTED is one of the four organsthat supports the functions of the principal organs of the Community: TheConference of Heads of Government and the Community Council of Ministers.
"Price is what you pay, value is what you get" - Warren Buffet PAGE 9 PROCUREMENT
Protocol on Public Procurement The
provisions
comprehensive
of
the
in
Protocol
content
are
and
very
scope
of
application. It is divided into nine parts with a total of
41
Part Five: provides for transparency, fairness and supplier
challenge,
elements:
technical
the
specifications,
following
qualification
and eligibility of suppliers, limitation on disclosure
articles.
of
information,
anti-corruption
Part One: establishes the use of terms under the
interest,
Protocol,
challenge and review.
the
operating
featuring
objectives
principles
requirements
of
the
and
including
regime,
its
implementation
legislation,
institutional
norms
standards,
conflicts
and
of
supplier
Part Six: pertains to technical cooperation and assistance
arrangements and prohibition of restrictions.
and
and
targeting
participation
of
disadvantaged countries, regions and sectors in
Part Two: establishes the scope and coverage of the Protocol, including: its scope of application, provisions
for
contracts
review
valuation
(applicable
to
of
the
rules,
goods
thresholds,
the
rules
procured),
of
and
the
origin
for
the
the regime along with the mode, scope and extent of same. Part
Seven:
provides
for
institutional
arrangements at the regional and national levels, including: establishment of the Permanent Joint
prohibition of offsets.
Council on Public Procurement, the Community
Part
Three:
treats
communication
with
information
technologies
to
be
and
employed,
Public
Procurement
Notice
Board,
and
the
Community and National Suppliers Register.
including
communication
modalities,
and
for Part Eight: deals with the special provisions of
Community
information
systems
comprising the Protocol, covering: dispute settlement, public
traditional and electronic media. procurement and the environment, general and security
Part
Four:
establishes
the
exceptions,
application,
proceedings,
which
include
the
signature
and
provisional
procurement following:
ratification
and
entry
into
force;
the amendments, reservations and accession to the
Community standard bidding documents, annual regime.
procurement
plans,
publication
of
procurement
opportunities, procurement methods, time limits, Annex A specifies the threshold values at and
submission,
receipt
and
opening
of
bids, above
which
a
public
procurement
contract
is
evaluation of bids and notice of successful bids, governed by the Protocol.
publication of notice of contract award, record of procurement
proceedings,
contract
administration; and statistical reporting.
Procurement inputs are grouped into three categories: civil works, goods, and services. PAGE 10 PROCUREMENT
19
The
following
thresholds
for
procurement
will
therefore apply in member states, until amended:
The
Ministry
authority
of
Finance
responsible
for
is
the
public
competent
procurement
and officials have already received training on
1 2 3 4
150 000 150 000 3 000 000
. Goods: USD $
the establishment and use of a national portal.
,
. Services: USD $
,
Computers
. Works: USD $
,
distributed
,
. A combination of goods and works or services
3 000 000
and works: USD $
5
,
The
.
B
provides
a
listing
portal
to
Directorate
(DGFT)
Annex
regionally be
equipment
including linked
have
Belize
to
the
been
for
the
regional
USD
150 000 ,
other
notice board.
,
. A combination of goods and services: $
national
and
of
types
of
public
and
the
General Ministry
for of
Foreign
Finance
Trade
has
met
with the Economic Development Council (EDC)
procurement goods and services excluded from
and
the
Belize
the Protocol. The excluded items include:
Industry (BCCI) to discuss the regional Draft Protocol
on
Chamber
of
Procurement
Commerce
and
and
established
1
clarity on the procurement regime.
cultural performances, and products associated
with
Also discussed at the Thirty-Ninth Meeting of
. Goods and services relating to works of art,
creative
expressions
for
cultural
the Conference of the Heads of Government in
performances;
Montego Bay, Jamaica were two outstanding
2
. Goods and services relating to the staging of
productions
in
support
of,
or
associated
with,
matters: (i) the revision of the thresholds and (ii) the way the protocol may be provisionally applied.
creative expression and cultural events;
Member
States
were
encouraged
to
use the Community Public Procurement Notice
3
.
Medallions
and
insignias
for
use
in
national
Board
and
the
National
Advertising
Portals.
Belize intends to sign unto the Procurement
honours and national awards;
Protocol.
4
. Goods of a sensitive nature for use in, or for the
The Government of Belize continues to engage
purpose of national defence or national security;
with the private and public sector to secure
5
. Goods and services relating to, or connected
with,
the
operations
of
diplomatic
missions
or
buy-in
for
a
viable
regional
procurement
protocol.
consulates; and
6
. Goods and services relating to, or connected
with
the
operations
of
diplomatic
missions
consulates; and privately funded charities.
or
Threshold for
150 000
SERVICES: USD $
,
PAGE 11 PROCUREMENT
THE AUDIO- VISUAL INDUSTRY
WHAT IS AUDIO-VISUAL? both
Audio-visual services is one of the sectors with the
a sound and a visual component. It includes motion
lowest number of commitments among members
Audio-visual
refers
to
media
possessing
picture and video production, distribution services, motion
picture
television
projection
services,
services,
radio
radio
and
and
Outlook
to
and
2019
the Trends
audio-visual
Analysis (IOTA),
Industry
the
global
professional audio-visual industry is estimated to
325 2019 1
generate US $ billion in
.[
billion in
2024
many
of
the
bigger
producers
have
some
television
transmission services, and sound recording.
According
of the World Trade Organization (WTO), although
247
, from US $
commitments.
Commitments
tend
numerous
movie-related
services
in
to
be
more
than
in
television (TV) and radio-related services. A high number (MFN)
of
exemptions
treatment
to
(i.e.
most-favoured
nation
non-discrimination)
also
2
characterize the sector [
].
]
[1] Global Pro-AV Industry Will Reach$325 Billion in 2024, According to New Forecasts from AVIXAAvailableat https://www.prnewswire.com/newsreleases/global-pro-av-industry-will-reach-325-billion-in-2024-according-to-newforecasts-from-avixa-300874486.html.Accessedon the 5th August, 2019.
PAGE 12 AUDIO - VISUAL
[2]World Trade Organization https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/serv_e/audiovisual_e/audiovisual_e.htm.Ac cessedon the 5th November, 2019.
Higher commitments to open the movie-related
Hollywood
industry can be attributed to the large revenue
terms
base it generates. The Indian film industry, known
largest in terms of revenue. A boom at the U.S.
as Bollywood, is the largest in the world in terms
box
of
record $
number
of
films
produced.
2 000
approximately
,
films
India
every
produces
year,
but
is
small in terms of revenue. The Indian film industry
37
is expected to earn US $
.
billion by
2020 3 . [
]
of
is
saw
41 1 6 .
audiences. [
30
third
number
office
US$
the
of
largest
films
worldwide
billion in
2018
film
industry
produced,
ticket
but
sales
in
the
hit
a
due to diverse U.S
] Hollywood collects an estimated
billion
from
cable
companies
and
streaming services, which is a major source of
7
Nollywood, which is the second largest movie
revenue. [
industry
is the most competitive in its ability to export
in
produces
the
world
1 500 ,
or
in
terms
more
of
films
film a
output
year.
4
[
]
According to the Nigerian Box Office Yearbook
2018 2019 24 45 /
rise to US $
, box office revenue is projected to .
million in
2020 5 .[
]
] The audio-visual industry in the USA
content production. Not surprising, of the world's top
ten
American
entertainment companies
companies, (Comcast
nine
are
Corporation
(CMCSA), CBS Corporation (CBS), DIRECTV, Dish Network, Netflix, Time Warner, Fox ,Viacom, and
[3]Economic Times, 2017:“The Film Industry in India to hit $3.7 billion by 2020, says Report”. Availble at https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/media /film-industry-in-india-to-hit-3-7-billion-by-2020-saysreport/articleshow/60998458.cms?from=mdr.Accessedon 5th November, 2019.9thoct. 4] Video Age International, 2018, “A New Nollywood: A Close Second To Bollywood, Larger Than Hollywood. Available athttps://www.videoageinternational.net/2018/01/09/cover-stories/a-newnollywood-a-close-second-to-bollywood-larger-than-hollywood/.Accessed on the 5th November, 2019. [5]OlatunjiSaliu,Guo Jun, 2019, ” Feature: Fraught with challenges, Nigeria's film industryhopes for promising future.” Availableat http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/africa/201904/30/c_138025503.htm.Accessedon the 5th November, 2019.
Disney). The other is a Chinese company, Wanda Media.
[6] Hollywood Report, 2019, “Global BoxOffice Revenue Hits Record $41B in 2018, Fuelled by Diverse U.S.”Audiences https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/global-box-office-revenue-hitsrecord-41b-2018-fueled-by-diverse-us-audiences-1196010. Available athttps://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/global-box-office-revenue-hitsrecord-41b-2018-fueled-by-diverse-us-audiences-1196010. Accessed on the 5th November, 2019. [7] Jennifer Marsh, “How the Movie Industry Harnesses a CDN for Faster Streaming.”[2]Available at https://cdn.net/how-the-movie-industryharnesses-a-cdn-for-faster-streaming/Accessed on the 5thNovember, 2019.
PAGE 13 AUDIO - VISUAL
The
Caribbean
region
documentaries,
produces
television
a
number
commercials
of
In order to identify the ways that small economies
(TVCs),
can benefit from the creative or orange economy,
14
music videos and live television shows including
at the
news, talk shows, sports, and national events. The
November
liberalisation
Pacific (ACP) States adopted a new Declaration on
of
the
broadcasting
sector,
the
th Meeting of Ministers held in Brussels in
2017
,
the
African,
Caribbean,
and
emergence of cable operators, and the reduction
Culture.
in costs of digital equipment have resulted in the
recognised the key role of culture as a driver for
expansion
economic
of
the
broadcasting
sector.
Despite
“The
Ministers
growth
of
and
ACP
countries
sustainable
human
this, the quality of local production content still
development and reaffirmed their commitment to
falls short. However, with the increasing demand
making culture a priority sector in their countries by
from US cable and film companies to eliminate
implementing concrete actions and programmes.
piracy of US content in the Caribbean, matched
Among
with
the
increasing
demand
for
content
the
conclusions
of
the
meeting
of
from
Ministers, the ACP States stressed the need to
global VOD (Video On Demand) streaming services
support audio-visual production, while continuing
like NETFLIX and PRIMEVIDEO, more support and
to promote and market such works by using, inter
opportunities will exist for content that reflects
alia, digital technologies and legal measures” [
9
].
the daily lives of Caribbean people. Numerous One
important
player
in
the
region
CaribbeanTales Media Group (CTMG). of
media
companies,
is
have
been
developed
to
The
support this declaration; one of the most recent
It is a group
being the Caribbean Development Bank’s Cultural
founded
Trinidadian/Canadian/British
activities
film
by
producer
and
Creative
which
Industries
partnered
with
Innovation
the
2019
Fund
(CIIF)
CaribbeanTales
Frances-Anne Solomon, that produces, markets,
incubator program to offer eight emerging and
and exhibits Caribbean-themed films for regional
established
and international distribution. Registered in both
development and to compete for a first prize of
Canada and Barbados since
US$
2010
, it is the first
10 000 2019 ,
and largest full-service film distribution company
the
that specialises in Caribbean-themed content and
of
content
worldwide. [
from
collection
of
the over
Caribbean
180
Diaspora
films
and
with
series.
a
The
four
film
for
Toronto International Film Festival, one
the
largest
festivals
10
for
independents
] The eight participants represented
projects from Jamaica, Trinidad, Belize and
Haiti. In August
its
Industries
th year celebrates the talents of established
opportunities
as part of the big pitch session during
CaribbeanTales International Film Festival now in
14
practitioners
2019
, the Cultural and Creative
Innovation
Fund
(CIIF)
also
partnered
and emerging filmmakers of Caribbean heritage
with Caribbean Export Development Agency, the
who
Caribbean
University of Trinidad and Tobago, the Caribbean
Diaspora worldwide. Its renowned CaribbeanTales
practise
their
Community (CARICOM), Caribbean Festival of Arts
Incubator (CTII) is a year-round development and
(CARIFESTA), Trinidad and Tobago Film Company
production
Limited
hub
for
art
across
Caribbean
the
and
Caribbean
(FilmTT),
the
Global
Services
2019
Promotion
Diaspora Producers that aims to create strong,
Programme
compelling and sustainable content for the global
Animation and New Media Festival to offer twenty-
market; CaribbeanTales-TV is a VOD streaming
five
service for Caribbean films; and CaribbeanTalesFlix
animation and gaming, the opportunity to enhance
is the production arm. [
their technical capacity in the area of
8
]
and
emerging
and
the
established
Animae
Caribe
practitioners
360
in
design
development –
[8]Carib-Export, 2019, Caribbean TalesDistribution.Available https://www.carib-export.com/forum_participants/caribbeantalesworldwide-distribution/.Accessed on 5th November, 2019.
PAGE 14 AUDIO VISUAL
at
[9] Carib-Export, 2019, Call forProposals: Support to ACP Audiovisual Coproduction. Available at https://www.carib-export.com/opportunities/call-forproposals-support-to-acp-audiovisual-co-production/.Accessedon 5th November, 2019 [10] Caribbean Development Bank, 2019, Caribbean Tales Film Accelerator Call for Application. Available https://www.caribank.org/publications-andresources/resource-library/other-resources/ciif/caribbean-tales-filmaccelerator-call-applications? fbclid=IwAR1iQT2Z459BmzvKskRmxBECUv9ZU9BYXZq05clcatENjD4fpIwTKeCn3 O0at
1998
design of both an animated series and game,
In
based
First
on
a
single
concept.
The
training
presented within the scope of the of
Animae
and
Caribe
creative
Abrahams, towards
under
who
the
its
director, has
15
th Edition
Honorary
founder
Minister, then Minister of Budget Planning and Management.
of
the
worked
animation
11
]
History (NICH). In
country
regionally currently
and
potential
internationally.
The
his
passing
in
(OPM)
2008
, the Office of the Prime
appointed
Commissioner, encourage
Mr. and
the
second
Nigel.
P.
support
Belize
Miguel,
to
international
film, television and still photo shoots to Belize, and to expose both sides of the industry to new
TVCs, corporate documentaries, live television
practices and exchange of technical knowledge
shows, short films, a few feature films and a
and explore the opportunities for regional and
lot
international
news
stories.
broadcasting, Television
music
of
videos,
of
produces
to
time
facilitated by National Institute of Culture and
attract,
compete
the
, the Belize Film Commissioner (BFC) was
sector
great
At
2007
Film
has
Emory
Selvon-
The production output of Belize’s audiovisual but
Mr.
King. He initially reported directly to the Prime
Minister
small,
Commissioner,
visionary
industry throughout the Caribbean. [
is
Film
Camille
consistently
development
was
the Government of Belize appointed the
In
the
5
Channel
:
consistently
area
Great
receives
of
Belize multiple
coincided
partnerships.
with
the
His
creation
appointment
of
the
Film
and
Media Arts Unit of NICH which was tasked to
awards at the Annual General Assembly of the
facilitate
regional organization, Caribbean Broadcasting
Commission
Union (CBU) for its productions. This year the
development of best practices for the industry.
awards
Film
were
in
featured
stories
on
climate
the
activities
as
well
Commissions
as
are
of
the
work
Belize
on
usually
Film
training
and
established
to
change, best news items, disaster resilience
attract more films to the country with the idea
and
of
marine
life
in
Belize.
Other
broadcast stations include Channel Vision Limited; Channel TV.
Belize
is
International inception in
also
Film
2003
15
major
7
: Tropical
: Krem TV, and Love
home
to
Festival
the
(IFF).
Belize
Since
its
, this homegrown celebration
creating
Much
of
new the
Commissioner necessary film
jobs
and
work
of
revolves
as
infrastructural
the
to
well
development
GDP. Film
building
attract
as
the
current
around
relationships
projects
increasing
long
the term
investment into
the
in
country
that marries audiovisual art and industry has
while the FMAU/BFC facilitates film queries and
screened approximately a thousand films from
works
all over the world and held numerous training
ensure that the film experience in Belize goes
workshops with visiting filmmakers. Resulting
as smooth as possible.
collaborations
from
networking
along
with
industry
stakeholders
to
opportunities
at the Belize IFF have inspired the creation of
The economic impact of the film industry has
Belize’s first TV drama series, “No Matta Wat”
been tangible. As Table
as well as the production of several acclaimed
revenue
local
Belize is BZ$
films.
short The
Festival,
stories,
2019
screened
a
telenovela
Belize nine
and
feature
International
12
[
]
Belizean
Film films
generated
1 68 .
1
shows, the average
from
film
companies
million over the last five-year
period. For the first two quarters of revenue
from
international
including, Belize’s first animated film: Tecuani
Belize
and the Duende.
additional BZ$
has
totalled
12 850 ,
in
film
2019 2020 -
companies
1 206 362
BZ$
,
,
;
with
,
in an
from registration.
[11] Caribbean Export, 2019 Accelerator Training set to revolutionize the Caribbean’s Animation and Gaming offering. Available at https://www.carib-export.com/news/accelerator-training-set-torevolutionize-the-caribbeans-animation-and-gaming-offering/. Accessed on 7th November ,2019 [12] Eworth, My Father Belize(Belize/USA), Harpoon (Belize/USA), One foot Down: The Strange Shooting of Antonia Alford (UK/Belize), Tecuani and the Duende, The Bottle, The Haunted Wife, The Lure of this Land (Belize/USA) and Time to Eat/Time Fu Eat
PAGE 15 AUDIO - VISUAL
Table 1: Revenue from International Film Companies in Belize, 2014-2019
Source: Belize's Film Commission 2019 Due to the requirement that all companies that
This
film in Belize must hire a local production manager,
membership with the Belize Coalition of Service
known in the industry as fixers, the demand for
providers (BCSP). The financial award allows for
the
the development and launch of project: BAVIA
services
of
fixers
is
great,
but
more
legal
grant
was
an
possible
reform and support is essential to stabilize this
Online,
sector.
Services
Directory
aims
vastly
to
Integrated
National
and
Website.
improve
and
Production The
project
modernize
audio-visual
capabilities while also connecting the industry
the
Belize
Audio
Industry Association (BAVIA). Founded in
Visual
2011
, it
production
services
the
interface
is
Belizean
BAVIA’s
One of the key champions and supporters of the sector
of
through
and
as a community.
has a vision that strives to educate and engage members in how to be full or active participants in
This
the
modelling
service providers and stakeholders of the Belize
decision-making,
audio-visual industry. As a web-based portal, it
transparency and cooperative governance. As the
will be inclusive of a mobile phone application
association
the
and electronic directory for service providers in
sector, it still faces limited funding and access to
the film and audio-visual industry in Belize. This
incomplete
open
workings
of
inclusion,
the
association,
democratic
works
to
statistics
garner
on
the
support
for
performance
and
platform
data
will
system
greatly
will
players in the audio-visual sector. Currently, the
relevant
information,
number of audio-visual companies in the country
business
and
is
putting
unknown.
committed create
an
Despite
to
this,
growing
effective
the
the
association
sector.
It
communication
plans plan
is to
that
benefit
give
public
access
policies,
training
international
technical
standards,
opportunities,
production
to
while
companies
directly in touch with a directory of competent, verified
suppliers
of
industry
services
utilizes different media platforms, foster stronger
established in every district in Belize. Also, the
partnerships with relevant government agencies
president
to
draft
and
legislation
implement
and
audio
encourage
visual
better
and
film
collaboration
25
th
of
of
BAVIA
2019
September,
Development
Bank
2018
at
the
(IDB)/
Belize
Inter-American
American
will
Festival’s Central American Film Series event in
partners. On Visual
25
Industry
the
assistance
th March,
2019
Association
of
international
, the Belize Audio
(BAVIA)
American
Film
Institute
need
Latin
on
with the public and private sector. The association also
(AFI)
represented
Film
Washington, D.C.
announced
the receipt of a sub-grant award for “Promoting an
Belize is making slow and positive strides in the
Open Government Ecosystem in Belize” from the
audio-visual
Trust for the Americas, in collaboration with the
the
Organization of Americas (OAS), with the support
lucrative
of the U.S. Embassy, Belize.
Belizean economy.
PAGE 16 AUDIO VISUAL
sector.
creative
Despite
economy
sector
for
can
the
these be
a
challenges, viable
development
of
and the
EXPANDING TOURISM THROUGH
transport
National
Both
by
the
infrastructure whether it be for the movement of
Economic Development Council (EDC) represented
people to access tourism service or the movement
the
well-
of goods across borders to support the expansion
climate-resilient
of tourism and agricultural exports. In particular, the
The
launch
of
Transportation
the
Master
government’s
organized,
Plan
sector.
preeminent
transportation
(CNMTP)
commitment
sustainable,
transportation Belize’s
Comprehensive
for
to
and
The
deliver
CNMTP
reference
facilitating
a
people
and
freight
within
sector
depends on the ability of people to flow into, within
country
and out of the country.
and Belize
already
benefits Belize’s
aviation)
faces
efficiency sectors
transport
and
such
many
sector
challenges
performance as
tourism
of
and
transport
of service by a resident of Belize to visitors-largely
between Belize and our main trading partners.
Today,
necessary
on
document
the
the
growth of Belize’s tourism service export- the supply
planning and more efficient and effective transport of
require
as
serves
strategic
industries
of
has
an
enhanced
transport
sector
that
affect
the
exponential growth of tourist arrivals into Belize as a
agriculture,
jointly
maritime
better
road
network,
connectivity.
In
recognition
new
fact, from
through
on
tourism
of
seen
the
and
result
as
of
ports
productive
exports
experience
(road,
its key
service
first-hand
air
Belize the
the
links
and
received
accounting for two-thirds of the economy’s gross
international
New
York
domestic product (GDP).
Financial Times via its Foreign Direct Investment
PAGE 17 TRANSPORT
(FDI)
magazine
as
the
Best
Enhanced
Airlift
for
2017
. On the other hand, the continuous expansion
of
tourism
demand
transportation
places
infrastructure
pressures
requiring
on
for
the
The
Public
Transportation
Project
will
undoubtedly improve and strengthen the public transportation
sector
in
Belize
thereby,
improving movement of people into, out of and
transportation sector to be adaptive and resilient.
within
Therefore, the ability of Belize to further expand its
for its citizens to access services.
Belize
as
well
as
provide
opportunities
Tourism service sector as well as meet its demand relies on the availability of a quality and efficient
While the project does not directly focus on the
transport
tourism sector, it will
sector
which
depends
on
a
well-
achieve improvements in
functioning regulatory, legislative and institutional
the policy and legal framework that include the
arrangement for the functioning of a high standard
promotion
public transportation system.
development of standards for public transport
of
sustainable
fleet
alternatives,
as it relates to bus operators and development Realizing networks
the for
importance
overall
of
economic
transportation
an
equitable
and
efficient
permitting
and
the
ticketing system which are all vital elements for
EDC under the Office of the Prime Minister with the
the flow of people. The further rationalization of
support of the Inter-American Development Bank
the
(IDB), seeks to build on its previous efforts through
design
the
will facilitate the movement of people from one
implementation
recommendations enhancing
the
of
from
policy,
the
development,
of
priority CNMTP
regulatory
short-term focused
and
on
public of
transportation a
destination
bus
to
routing
the
system
and
other,
through
ticketing
leading
to
a
the
system
greater
legislative
distribution of tourism revenues across Belize.
framework, while building institutional capacity at
This project further complements the efforts of
the Ministry of Transport.
the
Belize
Infrastructure
Limited
(BIL)
in
its
efforts to implement a National Bus Terminal as a pilot project in Belize City.
Undoubtedly,
the
improving
transportation
will
result
sectorial one
the
of
in
and
the
efforts
economic national
driving
by
the
sector
growth
scale.
forces
EDC in
both
in
Belize at
the
Transportation
for
the
supply
is of
tourism within a country. A modern, sustainable, accessible and efficient transportation sector will
revolutionize
Belize’s
Tourism
service
sector.
-Public-Private Desk in the Office of the Prime Minister. Technical Secretariat to the Economic Development Council.
PAGE 18 TRANSPORT
6
The Signature of 6 IP Agremeents
Ideas
and
National
knowledge
Trade
Policy
are
an
outlines
increasingly the
important
development
part
and
of
growth
trade. of
Belize's
intellectual
property as an integral part of the trade and development process. Thus, the Belize
Intellectual
Property
agreements; and in
1999
the Geneva (
Office
(BELIPO)
prioritized
the
signature
of
six
2018
, Belize ratified five of the agreements and acceded to
) Act of the Hague Agreement Concerning the International
Registration of Industrial Designs (the Geneva
1999
Act).
1
. The International Convention for Protection of Performers, Producers of Phonograms and Broadcasting organizations (The Rome Convention);
2
. WIPO Copyrights Treaty (WCT);
3
. WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty (WPPT);
4
. Beijing Treaty on audio visual performers;
5
. The Marrakesh Treaty Facilitates access to the published works for
persons who are blind, visually disabled or otherwise print disabled (The MARRAKESH Treaty); and
6
. The Hague Agreement concerning the International Registration of Industrial Designs.
All of the agreements, except the Beijing Treaty on Audio Visual Performers, have entered into force.
PAGE 19 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY TREATIES
A series of featured articles on trade in services produced in
2019
reflecting progress made in the
Belizean services sector December,
- Other Publications -
2019
.
TRADE IN SERVICES D e c e m b e r
2 0 1 9
The Ministry of Economic Development, Petroleum, Investment, Trade and Commerce 3rd Floor, Garden City Building, 3894 Mountain View Boulevard, Â Water Reservoir Area, Belmopan, Belize C.A. Tel: (501) 822-3263/2832/2833 | Fax: 822-2837 Email: foreigntrade@btl.net | Website: www.dgft.gov.bz BCSP Website: www.bcsp.gov.bz
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