Belmopan, November 3, 2026.
After five years of embedding Canadian experts in public institutions across Belize, the Government of Belize, through the Ministry of Economic Transformation (MET), in partnership with Catalyste+, hosted the closing ceremony yesterday for the Canada-CARICOM Expert Deployment Mechanism (CCEDM), one of the most significant technical assistance and institutional capacity-building programmes implemented in Belize in recent years. Dr. Hon. Osmond Martinez, Minister of Economic Transformation, delivered the keynote remarks.
Dr. Hon. Martinez expressed appreciation to the Government of Canada, Global Affairs Canada, Catalyste+, participating experts, and all beneficiary institutions whose commitment and collaboration contributed to the programme’s success. The Ministry of Economic Transformation also recognized the many public officers and stakeholders who championed institutional transformation and helped ensure that technical assistance translated into meaningful and lasting results.
The ceremony brought together senior government officials, representatives of the Government of Canada, development partners, participating ministries and agencies, statutory bodies, and programme beneficiaries to reflect on the achievements, lessons learned, and lasting impact of the initiative.
Funded by the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada and implemented by Catalyste+, the CCEDM programme was designed to provide demand-driven technical assistance to Caribbean countries through the deployment of Canadian experts. In Belize, the programme was coordinated through the Ministry of Economic Transformation and supported institutional strengthening, strategic planning, governance reforms, human resource development, monitoring and evaluation, communications, and organizational effectiveness across a broad range of public sector institutions.
Over its five-year implementation period, the programme supported various ministries, departments, statutory bodies, and local government institutions throughout Belize, helping partner organizations strengthen systems, improve service delivery, enhance planning and management processes, and build capacity in specialized technical areas. Beneficiary organizations included the Belize Social Investment Fund, Belize City Council, BELTRAIDE, the Development Finance Corporation, the Statistical Institute of Belize, the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre, the Social Security Board, and several other government ministries.
Representatives of the Government of Belize and Catalyste+ emphasized the programme’s contribution to building a stronger, more resilient, and more effective public sector. The event also featured reflections from programme beneficiaries, who shared first-hand accounts of how CCEDM support strengthened their institutions and contributed to organizational improvements and long-term capacity development.
While yesterday’s ceremony formally marked the close of the current phase of the programme in Belize, the partnerships, knowledge, and institutional improvements fostered through CCEDM will continue to support national development efforts in the years ahead. Discussions on a potential future phase of the programme also reflect the continued demand for technical cooperation and capacity-building across the region.
As Belize continues its journey toward sustainable and inclusive development, the Government remains committed to strengthening public institutions, fostering innovation, and leveraging international partnerships that contribute to improved outcomes for citizens and communities throughout the country.
Ends
For more information, please contact:
Mr. Carlos Pol
Chief Executive Officer
Ministry of Economic Transformation
ceo@met.gov.bz
