BTB launches its Business Recovery and Enhancement Matching Grants Program for Belizean MSEs

Belize City, Belize, Monday, July 19, 2021- The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) today officially launched its “Business Recovery & Enhancement Matching Grants Program”, which is designed to assist Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) in Belize.   As part of the launch, the BTB is now calling for Expression of Interest (EOI) from MSEs interested in applying for Grant Funding.

The goal of the Matching Grants Program is to identify, develop and implement growth opportunities within the tourism industry, for the benefit of all stakeholders. Furthermore, it aims to contribute to the development of Belize’s economy via the enhancement, expansion and promotion of the tourism industry. The program also seeks to support strategic tourism projects by assisting these MSEs in overcoming a clearly defined set of market failures and will   include a particular focus on tourism-specific biosecurity protocols

The matching grants program aims to assist three hundred (300) of the most vulnerable MSEs with priority given to entities that provide services in the following tourism sub-sectors: Food and Beverage Services, Cultural (music) Service Providers, Artisanal and Gift Shops, Tour Guides and Tour Operators, Transport Providers, Equipment Rentals and Other Tourism Related Services. MSE’s must include entities that serve a valuable role in quick industry recovery efforts with no more than five employees with an annual revenue of less than 250,000 BZD.

The projects selected to receive matching funding must contribute to the following priorities of the matching grant program in developing business, employment and training opportunities for those on lower incomes within the aforementioned tourism sub sectors. The projects must contribute to a rise in standards and quality of the tourism product. Preference will be given to those addressing product development, customer service, marketing, environment and sustainability. Via the extensive training component of the grant programs selected projects will allow for registered BTB partners to achieve certification and other pertinent growth opportunities. The projects must contribute to the development of emerging destinations as defined by the Ministry of Tourism and Diaspora’s Sustainable Tourism Program II. These areas include but are not limited to Corozal District, Orange Walk (Holpatin Corridor), Southeast Coast (Dangriga, Hopkins & Placencia), Toledo District, Mountain Pine Ridge (Caracol and Chiquibul) and Caye Caulker.

MSEs who wish to express interest must complete and submit the required Business Profile for assessment and eligibility. The deadline for this submission is July 30, 2021, at 4 p.m.

Visit BTB’s Website for more information on the guidelines and eligibility for the Matching Grant. Please click here to view a video on the program.