Belmopan, July 31, 2026.
The Government of Belize has officially launched the development of its Electronic Single Window (ESW) for Trade, marking a significant milestone in the country’s ongoing efforts to modernize trade administration, strengthen border efficiency, and improve the ease of doing business.
Supported through financing from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the European Union (EU), the ESW will establish a secure, digital platform that enables traders to submit import and export documentation electronically through a single entry point. By replacing multiple paper-based processes with an integrated online system, the ESW will simplify regulatory procedures, reduce processing times and administrative costs, and enhance transparency and predictability across Belize’s trade environment.
The development of the system will be undertaken by Concepto SAS, a Uruguay-based technology firm with extensive experience in implementing electronic single window solutions throughout the region. The implementation phase will span 24 months, which commenced with the official vendor kick-off meeting held on July 29, 2026.
The first phase of implementation will integrate five key regulatory agencies: the Customs and Excise Department, the Chief Pharmacist Office, the Supplies Control Unit, the Belize Agricultural Health Authority, and the Belize Fisheries Department. These institutions will work collaboratively to redesign business processes, digitize permit and licensing procedures, and strengthen inter-agency coordination. The Central Executing Unit and the Directorate General for Foreign Trade are coordinating the initiative.
Once operational, the Electronic Single Window is expected to strengthen Belize’s competitiveness, support exporters and importers, attract investment, and contribute to sustainable economic growth by making trade faster, more transparent, and more efficient. As implementation progresses, additional border regulatory agencies will be incorporated into the platform, ultimately creating a fully integrated national trade facilitation ecosystem that benefits government, the private sector, and consumers alike.
ENDS
For more information, please contact:
Berisford Codd
Senior Trade Economist
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade
Email: berisford.codd@mft.gov.bz
