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Draft:List of central government entities in Belize

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The central government of Belize is divided into departments that each have responsibility, according to the government, for putting government policy into practice. As of June 2025, there are currently xx ministerial departments, xx non-ministerial departments, and xx agencies and other public bodies, for a total of xx departments.[n 1]

Regnal departments

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xx

Regnal department Viceroy responsible Civil servant(s) responsible Cf
Governor General's Office
Office of the Governor General 		HE Dame Froyla Tzalam GCMG
Governor General 		Aeshia McFadzean
Administrative Officer 		[1]

Ministerial departments

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Ministerial departments are generally the most high-profile government departments and differ from the other two types of government departments in that they include ministers. A list of all ministerial departments is shown below.

Ministerial department Minister responsible Civil servant(s) responsible Cf
Prime Minister's Office
Office of the Prime Minister 		Hon John Briceno
Prime Minister 		Narda Garcia
Chief Executive Officer 		[2]
Cabinet Office
Cabinet Office 		Hon John Briceno
Prime Minister 		HE Amb Stuart Leslie
Secretary to the Cabinet 		[3]
Attorney General's Ministry
Attorney General's Ministry 		Anthony Sylvestre SC
Attorney General 		Elisa Montalvo
Solicitor General 		[4]
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Culture and Immigration 		Hon Francis Fonseca
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Culture and Immigration 		HE Amb Amalia Mai
Chief Executive Officer for Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Culture
Tanya Santos Neal
Chief Executive Officer for Immigration 		[5]
Ministry of Home Affairs
Ministry of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries 		Hon Kareem Musa
Minister of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries 		Sharole Saldivar
Chief Executive Officer 		[6]
Ministry of Finance
Ministry of Finance, Investment, Economic Transformation, Civil Aviation and E-Governance 		Hon John Briceno
Minister of Finance, Investment, Economic Transformation, Civil Aviation and E-Governance 		Joseph Waight
Financial Secretary
Narda Garcia
Chief Executive Officer for Investment and Civil Aviation
Carlos Pol
Chief Executive Officer for Economic Transformation
Jose Urbina
Chief Executive Officer for E-Governance 		[7]
Ministry of Natural Resources
Ministry of Natural Resources, Petroleum and Mining 		Hon Cordel Hyde
Minister of Natural Resources, Petroleum and Mining 		Paul Thompson
Chief Executive Officer 		[8]
Ministry of Agriculture
Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise 		Hon Jose Abelardo Mai
Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise 		Servulo Baeza
Chief Executive Officer 		[9]
Ministry of Public Utilities
Ministry of Public Utilities, Energy and Logistics 		Hon Michel Chebat
Minister of Public Utilities, Energy and Logistics 		Dr Leroy Almendarez
Chief Executive Officer 		[10]
Ministry of Works
Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing 		Hon Julius Espat
Minister of Infrastructure Development and Housing 		Victor Espat
Chief Executive Officer 		[11]
Ministry of Education
Ministry of Education, Science and Technology 		Hon Oscar Requena
Minister of Education, Science and Technology 		Dian Castillo Maheia
Chief Executive Officer 		[12]
Ministry of Defence
Ministry of National Defence and Border Security 		Hon Oscar Mira
Minister of National Defence and Border Security 		Francis Usher
Chief Executive Officer 		[13]
Ministry of Labour
Ministry of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labour and Local Government 		Hon Florencio Marin
Minister of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labour and Local Government 		Dr Valentino Shal
Chief Executive Officer 		[14]
Ministry of Human Development
Ministry of Human Development, Family Support and Gender Affairs 		Hon Thea Ramirez
Minister of Human Development, Family Support and Gender Affairs 		Adele Catzim
Chief Executive Officer 		[15]
Ministry of the Environment
Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Solid Waste Management 		Hon Orlando Habet
Minister of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Solid Waste Management 		Milagro Matus
Chief Executive Officer 		[16]
Ministry of Health
Ministry of Health and Wellness 		Hon Kevin Bernard
Minister of Health and Wellness 		Dr Julio Sabido
Chief Executive Officer 		[17]
Ministry of Tourism
Ministry of Tourism, Youth, Sports and Diaspora Relations 		Hon Anthony Mahler
Minister of Tourism, Youth, Sports and Diaspora Relations 		Nicole Usher Solano
Chief Executive Officer 		[18]
Ministry of the Economy
Ministry of the Blue Economy and Marine Conservation 		Hon Andre Perez
Minister of the Blue Economy and Marine Conservation 		Beverly Wade
Chief Executive Officer 		[19]
Ministry of the Public Service
Ministry of the Public Service, Governance and the National Emergency Management Organisation 		Hon Henry Charles Usher
Minister of the Public Service, Governance and the National Emergency Management Organisation 		Rolando Zetina
Chief Executive Officer 		[20]
Ministry of Transport
Ministry of Constitutional, Religious and Indigenous Affairs and Transportation 		Hon Dr Louis Zabaneh
Minister of Constitutional, Religious and Indigenous Affairs and Transportation 		Chester Williams
Chief Executive Officer 		[21]

Non-ministerial departments

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Non-ministerial departments are headed by senior civil servants and not ministers.[22] They usually have a regulatory or inspectorial function.[22] All are both arm's-length and statutory bodies.[23] A list of all non-ministerial departments is shown below.

Non-ministerial department Civil servant(s) responsible Cf
Director of Public Prosecutions' Office
Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions 		Cheryl-Lynn Vidal SC
Director of Public Prosecutions 		[24]
Auditor General's Office
Office of the Auditor General 		Maria Rodriguez
Auditor General 		[25]
Public Services Commission
Public Services Commission 		Diana Price Murillo
Chairperson 		[26]
Advisory Council
Belize Advisory Council 		–
Chairperson 		[27]
Elections and Boundaries Commission
Elections and Boundaries Commission 		Oscar Sabido Puga
Chairperson 		[28]
Security Services Commission
Security Services Commission 		Diana Price Murillo
Chairperson 		[29]
Judicial and Legal Services Commission
Judicial and Legal Services Commission 		Hon Mde Louise Blenman
Chairperson 		[30]
Ombudsman's Office
Office of the Ombudsman 		Hon Mjr (Retd) H Gilbert Swaso JP CMMS
Ombudsman 		[31]
Contractor General's Office
Office of the Contractor General 		Maria Arthurs
Contractor General 		[32]
Social Security Investment Committee
Social Security Investment Committee 		Reynaldo Magana
Chairperson 		[33]
Integrity Commission
Integrity Commission 		Andrea McSweaney McKoy
Chairperson 		[34]
Nature Conservation Foundation
Belize Nature Conservation Foundation 		Leonardo Chavarria
Chairperson 		[n 2]
Public Utilities Commission
Public Utilities Commission 		Dean Molina
Chairperson 		[35]
AIDS Commission
National AIDS Commission 		Dr Giovanni Solorzano
Chairperson 		[36]
Social Investment Fund
Social Investment Fund 		Carlos Tun
Executive Director 		[37]
Coastal Zone Management
Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute (CZMAI) 		Chantalle Samuels
Chief Executive Officer of the Authority
Arlene Young
Director of the Institute 		[38]

Agencies and other public bodies

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Government departments in this third and final category may be split into five types:

  • Executive agencies – part of government departments and usually provide government services rather than decide policy,[n 3]
  • Non-departmental public bodies – have varying degrees of independence but are directly accountable to ministers.[n 4] There are four types:
    • Executive NDPBs do work for the government in specific areas,[22]
    • Advisory NDPBs provide independent, expert advice to ministers,[22]
    • Tribunal NDPBs are part of the justice system and have jurisdiction over a specific area of law,[22]
    • Independent monitoring boards are responsible for the running of prisons and treatment of prisoners.[22]

All are arm's-length bodies, but only some are statutory ones.[23] A list of some agencies and other public bodies is shown below.

Parent or oversight department Agencies or bodies Cf
Governor General's Office Advisory Committee
National Honours and Awards Advisory Committee 		[39]
Ministry of the Public Service Elections and Boundaries Department
Department of Elections and Boundaries
Emergency Management Office
Office of Emergency Management
Fire Service
National Fire Service
Met Service
National Meteorological Service
NEMO
National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO)
Joint Staff Relations Council
Joint Staff Relations Council
Services Commissions' Office
Office of the Services Commissions 		[40]
Director of Public Prosecutions' Office Crown Prosecution Service
Crown Prosecution Service 		[41]
Prime Minister's Office E-Governance Department
Department of E-Governance and Digitisation
Press Office
Government Information Service
National Security Council
National Security Directorate
Broadcasting Authority
Belize Broadcasting Authority (BBA)
RESTORE Belize
Restore Belize Social Assistance Programme (RESTORE Belize)
Financial Intelligence Unit
Financial Intelligence Unit
Economic Development Council
Economic Development Council 		[42]
Ministry of Finance Treasury
Treasury Department
Customs Department
Department of Customs and Excise
Aviation Department
Department of Civil Aviation
Tax Service
Belize Tax Service (BTS)
Insurance Supervisor's Office
Office of the Supervisor of Insurance and Private Pensions (OSIPP)
IT Office
Central Information Technology Office (CITO)
Ship Registry
International Merchant Marine Registry of Belize (IMMARBE)
High Seas Fisheries Unit
The Belize High Seas Fisheries Unit (HSFU)
Procurement Unit
The Procurement Unit
Social Security
Social Security Board (SSB)
Statistical Institute
Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB)
Airports Authority
Belize Airports Authority
Central Bank
Central Bank of Belize
Financial Services Commission
Financial Services Commission (FSC)
DFC
Development Finance Corporation (DFC)
BELTRAIDE
Belize Trade and Development Service (BELTRAIDE) 		[43]
Ministry of Health Nursing Department
Nursing Department
Health Service
Office of the Director of Health Service
Drug Inspectorate
The Drug Inspectorate Unit
Medical Laboratory Service
Central Medical Laboratory Service
Health Insurance
National Health Insurance (NHI)
Drug Abuse Council
National Drug Abuse Control Council (NDACC)
Education and Community Bureau
Health Education and Community Participation Bureau (HECOPAB) 		[44]
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Immigration Department
Department of Immigration and Nationality Services
Refugees Department
Department of Refugees
Directorate General for Foreign Trade
Directorate General for Foreign Trade (DGFT)
Archives and Records Service
Belize Archives and Records Service (BARS)
Institute of Culture and History
National Institute of Culture and History (NICH)
International Cooperation Council
International Cooperation Council (ICC) 		[45]
Ministry of Education Library Service
Belize National Library Service and Information System (BNLSIS)
Accreditation Council
National Accreditation Council 		[46]
Ministry of Agriculture Agriculture Department
Department of Agriculture
Cooperatives Department
Department of Cooperatives
Food and Nutrition Commission
National Food and Nutrition Security Commission
Bureau of Standards
Belize Bureau of Standards (BBS)
Aquaculture Unit
The Aquaculture Unit
Pesticides Control Board
Pesticides Control Board
Agricultural Health Authority
Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA)
Marketing and Development Corp
Belize Marketing and Development Corporation (BMDC) 		[47]
Ministry of Natural Resources Lands Department
Department of Lands and Surveys
Land Registry
Land Registry Department
Geology Department
Department of Geology and Petroleum
Mining Unit
The Mining Unit 		[48]
Ministry of Tourism Youth Department
Department of Youth Services
Sports Council
National Sports Council (NSC)
Diaspora Relations Unit
The Diaspora Relations Unit
Border Management Agency
Border Management Agency (BMA)
Tourism Board
Belize Tourism Board (BTB) 		[49]
Ministry of the Environment Department of Environment
Department of the Environment
Forest Department
Department of Forestry
Solid Waste Management Authority
Belize Solid Waste Management Authority (BSWaMA)
Hydrological Service
National Hydrological Service
PACT
Protected Areas Conservation Truest (PACT)
Biodiversity Office
National Biodiversity Office
Climate Change Office
National Climate Change Office 		[50]
Ministry of Human Development Department of Human Services
Department of Human Services (DHS)
Women's Department
Women and Family Support Department
Community Rehabilitation Department
Community Rehabilitation Department (CRD)
Special Envoy for Women and Children
Office of the Special Envoy for the Development of Families and Children
Social Services Inspectorate
Inspectorate of Social Service Institutions
Women's Commission
National Women's Commission 		[51]
Ministry of Public Utilities Post Office
Belize Postal Service
Port Authority
Belize Port Authority (BPA)
Energy Unit
The Energy Unit 		[52]
Ministry of Works Housing Department
Department of Housing
Works Department
Public Works Department
Building Authority
Central Building Authority (CBA) 		[53]
Ministry of Home Affairs Police Department
Belize Police Department (BPD)
Prison Service
Belize Prison Service
Forensics Service
Belize National Forensic Science Service (NFSS)
Crime Observatory
Belize Crime Observatory (BCO)
Firearms Board
Firarms and Ammunition Control Board 		[54]
Attorney General's Ministry IP Office
Belize Intellectual Property Office (BELIPO)
Vital Statistics Unit
The Vital Statistics Unit
Legal Advice and Service Centre
Legal Advice and Service Centre 		[55]
Ministry of Transport Transport Department
Department of Transport
Indigenous Peoples' Affairs Commission
Indigenous Peoples' Affairs Commission
Constitutional and Political Reform Commission
Constitutional and Political Reform Commission 		[56]
Ministry of Labour Labour Department
Department of Labour
Local Government Department
Department of Local Government
Rural Development Department
Department of Rural Transformation
Labour Advisory Board
Labour Advisory Board 		[57]
Ministry of the Economy Fisheries Department
Department of Fisheries 		[58]
Ministry of Defence Coast Guard
Belize Coast Guard (BCG)
Defence Force
Belize Defence Force (BDF)
Joint Intelligence Operations
Joint Intelligence Operations Centre (JIOC) 		[59]

Other miscellaneous entities

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Parliamentary and judicial entities are separate from government.[n 5] Public corporations, public-private partnerships, and contractors are also separate from government. Lastly, local government entities (mostly councils) are separate from central government.

govt = one efficient part of Crown (exec), but for some 'government' = all efficient parts of Crown (exec, leg, jud), for dignified vs efficient per Bagehot.

See also

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Notes and references

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Notes

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  1. ^ Fo, p. 192; SL, ch. 4, ss. 30-35.
  2. ^ Ps b; Ps c; Fo, pp. 192–193.
  3. ^ Ps b; Fo, p. 192.
  4. ^ Ps b; Fo, p. 205.
  5. ^ Ps b; Ps c; Fo, pp. 10–11, 203–205.
  6. ^ Ps b; Ps c; Fo, pp. 200–201.
  7. ^ Ps b; Ps c; Fo, pp. 192–193.
  8. ^ Ps b; Ps c; Fo, pp. 194–195.
  9. ^ Ps b; Ps c; Fo, p. 195.
  10. ^ Ps b; Ps d; Fo, p. 195-196.
  11. ^ Ps b; Ps c; Fo, p. 196.
  12. ^ Ps b; Ps c; Fo, pp. 196–197.
  13. ^ Ps b; Ps c; Fo, pp. 197–198.
  14. ^ Ps b; Ps c; Fo, pp. 198–199.
  15. ^ Ps b; Ps c; Fo, pp. 199–200.
  16. ^ Ps b; Ps c; Fo, p. 201.
  17. ^ Ps b; Ps c; Fo, pp. 201–202.
  18. ^ Ps b; Ps c; Fo, p. 202.
  19. ^ Ps b; Ps c; Fo, p. 203.
  20. ^ Ps b; Ps c; Fo, p. 203.
  21. ^ Ps b; Ps e.
  22. ^ a b c d e f Gv a.
  23. ^ a b Gv b.
  24. ^ SL, ch. 4, ss. 50, 108; Ns a.
  25. ^ SL, ch. 4, s. 109, 120; Ns b.
  26. ^ SL, ch. 4, s. 105; Ns c.
  27. ^ SL, ch. 4, s. 54.
  28. ^ SL, ch. 4, s. 88; Ns d.
  29. ^ SL, ch. 4, s. 110.
  30. ^ SL, ch. 4, s. 110; Ns e.
  31. ^ SL, ch. 5; Ns f.
  32. ^ SL, ch. 6; Ns g.
  33. ^ SL, ch. 44, s. 49; Ns h.
  34. ^ SL, ch. 105; Ns i.
  35. ^ SL, ch. 223; Ns j.
  36. ^ SL, ch. 34.01; Mn x.
  37. ^ SL, ch. 43; Mn y.
  38. ^ SL, ch. 329; Mn v; Mn z.
  39. ^ Fi b, p. 17-21; SL, ch. 162, s. 4
  40. ^ Fi b, pp. 41–63, 398–402; SL, ch. 145; Mn o.
  41. ^ Fi b, pp. 64–67, 398–402.
  42. ^ Fi b, pp. 72–93, 398–402; SL, ch. 138.02, 285.
  43. ^ Fi b, pp. 1, 72–125, 285–289, 398–402; SL, chs. 44, 158, 238, 262, 272, 279, 282; Mn p; Mn q; Mn s; Mn u; Mn a; Mn b.
  44. ^ Fi b, pp. 126–138, 398–402; Mn c.
  45. ^ Fi b, pp. 139–154, 398–402; Mn d; Mn e.
  46. ^ Fi b, pp. 155–174, 398–402; SL, ch. 39.01.
  47. ^ Fi b, pp. 175–193, 398–402; SL, chs. 211, 216, 281; Mn t; Mn f; Mn g.
  48. ^ Fi b, pp. 194–204, 398–402; Mn h.
  49. ^ Fi b, pp. 205–216, 398–402; SL, ch. 144, 275; Mn i; Mn j.
  50. ^ Fi b, pp. 217–228, 398–402; SL, ch. 218; Mn k.
  51. ^ Fi b, pp. 229–242, 398–402; Mn w, 1 of 2024.
  52. ^ Fi b, pp. 243–250, 398–402; SL, ch. 233; Mn r; Mn m; Mn l.
  53. ^ Fi b, pp. 251–262, 398–402; SL, ch. 131.
  54. ^ Fi b, pp. 263–274, 398–402; SL, ch. 39.02.
  55. ^ Fi b, pp. 275–284, 398–402; Mn n.
  56. ^ Fi b, pp. 290–298, 398–402.
  57. ^ Fi b, pp. 299–312, 398–402.
  58. ^ Fi b, pp. 313–319, 398–402.
  59. ^ Fi b, pp. 320–327, 398–402.
  1. ^ Excluding subdivisions/high profile groups/public corps/quangos/parliamentary entities/judiciary entities. This article follows the Gov.uk classification in Gv a and Gv b as closely as possible. Notes and short citations provided in Cf columns.
  2. ^ SL, ch. 218, s. 32; Ns k; Ns l. Formerly PACT Foundation (Ns l).
  3. ^ Gv a. Administratively distinct, but legally still part of its parent department (Gv b). Acts as an arm of its home department (Gv b, handbook, pt. 1, p. 8). Focus on providing specific deliverables to parent (Gv b).
  4. ^ Gv a. Not legally part of a government department (Gv b). Operates separately from its sponsoring department (Gv b, handbook, pt. 1, p. 8).
  5. ^ For government as the Crown in its executive capacity only.

References

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  1. Approved Budget Estimates (Report). Belmopan, Belize: Finance Min. 2000–2025.
  2. Draft Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for Fiscal Year 2025/2026 (Report). Belmopan, Belize: Finance Min. 12 May 2025.
  3. Diplomatic and Consular List (Report). Belmopan, Belize: Foreign Min. October 2022.
  4. Montalvo EN (ed.). "The Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2020". Belmopan, Belize: AG's Min.
  5. "The Cabinet". Belmopan, Belize: Press Office.
  6. "The Office of the Prime Minister announces Cabinet appointments" (Press release). Belmopan, Belize: Press Office. 15 March 2025. PR 030-25.
  7. "The Office of the Prime Minister announces new Chief Executive Officers" (Press release). Belmopan, Belize: Press Office. 19 March 2025. PR 033-25.
  8. "OPM announces appointment of new CEO" (Press release). Belmopan, Belize: Press Office. 9 April 2025. PR 047-25.
  9. "Ministry convenes meeting to dddress traffic concerns in Caye Caulker and San Pedro" (Press release). Belmopan, Belize: Press Office. 11 June 2025. PR 081-25.
  10. Annual Technical Reports of Ministries of Government for the 2023–2024 Fiscal Year (Report). Belmopan, Belize: Press Office. October 2024.
  11. "How government works". London: GOV.UK.
  12. "Public bodies". London: GOV.UK.
  13. "Cheryl-Lynn Vidal". Bristol, England: Commonwealth Lawyer Assn.
  14. "Auditor General". Belmopan, Belize: Office of Auditor Genl.
  15. "Powers of Public Service Commission delegated". 7 News. Belize City. 23 March 2023.
  16. "The Commission". Belmopan, Belize: Elections & Boundaries Dept.
  17. "High court and political power: Jeremy Enriquez vs the judiciary". Natl Perspective. Belize City. 25 April 2025.
  18. "Office of the Ombudsman of Belize". Belmopan, Belize: Office of Ombuds.
  19. "Contractor General". Belmopan, Belize: Office of Contractor Genl.
  20. "Investment Guidelines". Belmopan, Belize: SSB.
  21. "Government minister urges elected Representatives to declare wealth". Love News. Belize City. 3 October 2023.
  22. "Commissioners". Belize City: PUC.
  23. "Belize Nature Conservation Foundation awards BZ$100,000 to protected areas co-managers" (Press release). Belmopan, Belize: PACT. 20 March 2025.
  24. "Deadline extended: Call for expression of interest — BNCF audit". Belmopan, Belize: PACT.
  25. "Services". Belmopan, Belize: Fin Min.
  26. "About us". Belmopan, Belize: Min Econ Dev.
  27. "Service areas". Belmopan, Belize: Min Health.
  28. "Directory". Belmopan, Belize: Min Foreign.
  29. "The Ministry". Belmopan, Belize: Min Immigration.
  30. "Agriculture units". Belmopan, Belize: Min Agriculture.
  31. "Statutory bodies". Belmopan, Belize: Min Agriculture.
  32. "About Ministry". Belmopan, Belize: Min Natural Resources.
  33. "Statutory bodies". Belize City: Min Tourism.
  34. "Our team". Belize City: Min Tourism.
  35. "Departments overview". Belmopan, Belize: Min Sustainable Dev.
  36. "Senior management". Belmopan, Belize: Min Pub Utilities.
  37. "Ministry's portfolio". Belmopan, Belize: Min Pub Utilities.
  38. "Home". Belmopan, Belize: AG's Min.
  39. "Ministry overview". Belmopan, Belize: Min Pub Serv.
  40. "Board of Directors". Belmopan, Belize: SSB.
  41. "Organisation". Belmopan, Belize: SIB.
  42. "Meet our Minister". Belize City: BPA.
  43. "The Financial Services Commission". Belmopan, Belize: FSC.
  44. "Home". Orange Walk, Belize: BMDC.
  45. "About us". Belmopan, Belize: BELTRAIDE.
  46. "CZM Authority & CZM Institute". Belize City: CZMAI.
  47. "Acts of Parliament 2024". Belmopan, Belize: Natl Assembly.
  48. "About us". Belize City: NAC.
  49. "About". Belmopan, Belize: SIF.
  50. "The CZMAI Team". Belize City: CZMAI.
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