Aircraft Registration Asset Protection Bank Accounts Company Administration Company Incorporation eGaming Film Administration & Co-production Inheritance Planning Intellectual Property Structures International Trade Structures Property Ownership Structures Royalties & Intellectual Property Tax Planning Tax Residency Certificates Trusts VAT/TVA Services Yacht Registration   Sophisticated answers for tax planning, asset protection & inheritance planning.           Name:      E-Mail:       Copyright  © 2008 ILS Group | Privacy Policy

Newsletter | Articles The Economy of Belize British Honduras was the former name of a British colony on the east coast of Central America, adjacent to the southeast of Mexico, now the independent nation of Belize. Settled by Europeans since the 17th century, it was a crown colony from 1871 to 1964, when it became self-governing. Belize became fully independent from the United Kingdom in 1981. The Belizean economy is essentially made up of two groups, the locals and the foreigners. But with such a small sector of the population being Belizean born and raised, the foreigners have started to dominate the economy. Outside the capital city Belize is booming. Over the last few years tourism has risen by 500 per cent and agriculture and lumber workers have found Belizean soil to be among the most fertile in the world. With thousands of acres of orange trees being grown outside San Ignacio, Belize has been one of the major beneficiaries of extremely high orange prices, especially with Brazil and Florida experiencing poor yields of the fruit. The jurisdiction has also been successful in its grapefruit sales as the fruit was nearly eliminated in Florida from the hurricanes of 2004 and 2005. The commodity which perhaps defines Belize is mahogany, which is a rare hardwood that fetches premium prices in the world market. Much of the southern part of the country is dedicated to rows and rows of these trees. Therefore the vast majority of investment into Belize, with the exception of the now booming tourist industry in San Pedro, is down to oranges, grapefruits, bamboo and mahogany. Belize began its first forays into offshore business with the introduction of the International Business Companies Act in 1990, allowing for zero taxation on IBCs. Its legislation was based upon British Virgin Island laws – the most flexible (and popular) model available. With its low incorporation costs and flexible legislation, it is rapidly becoming a viable alternative to other more expensive jurisdictions. Zero taxation Onshore presence Shelf companies available Low set up and operating costs Provision for Public Investment Company status Fast incorporation - 24 hours Single director allowed - can be corporate or trust It seems Belize has success written all over it with an influx of hard working, knowledgeable people and some of the most fertile land in the world. For more information on Belize incorporations contact Stephen Colderwood.