Corozal Free Zone Access Road is Officially Inaugurated

Earlier today, the Corozal Free Zone Access Road was officially inaugurated. The event saw Prime Minister John Briceño, Free Zone C.E.O. Neri Ramirez, and other key representatives from the Government of Belize and the Central American Bank for Economic Integration in attendance. Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano with the full story.

 

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

The Ministry of Economic Development has just announced the opening of the brand-new Corozal Free Zone Access Road. This transformative infrastructure project is set to boost economic opportunities, connectivity, and progress for both the Corozal District and the entire nation. The newly constructed road is one point six kilometers and is a key investment under the Plan Belize Medium Term Development Strategy, which promotes economic transformation and growth.

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“Plan Belize is a transformative document, it’s a document that plans out the work of Belize for the next ten, fifteen, twenty years from now and I want to take the opportunity to thank all our elected representatives and the Cabinet that have worked diligently and have worked day in, day out to bring the kind of success that we are now witnessing in Belize.  When you think back about Belize of November 2020 to the Belize of today, of 2025, it’s a totally different Belize that you’re seeing. We have seen the development of the free zone, that the free zone has had unrepresented growth and we have turned it around from having it closed now to now today we have over a thousand, six hundred people working and we have a thousand, plus, more people with indirect jobs that we have.”

 

The project kicked off in January 2024 and wrapped up in less than a year – a true testament to efficient planning and execution. This new road enhances access to the Corozal Free Zone, making transportation of goods and services smoother, boosting trade, and attracting investment to the area.

 

Neri Ramirez, C.E.O., Corozal Free Zone

“I stand before you today with pride, joy, heartfelt gratitude.  This journey began in 2020, when we first assumed office.  At that time, we inherited a Corozal Free Zone that was closed, lack of proper infrastructure and was in a debt.  All that and also let me not forget that we were in a pandemic.  How far have we come?  This road was one of the first thing I added to my to-do list.  If you know me, my to-do list is very secret and I try my best to accomplish all things that I add to it.”

 

The project’s success was a true team effort, thanks to the generous contributions from various stakeholders. The Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) kicked things off with a hefty grant of 1.9 million Belize dollars. The Government of Belize chipped in with another 1 million Belize dollars. The Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT) played a crucial role by adding 200,000 Belize dollars to ensure the project’s sustainability. Lastly, the Corozal Free Zone invested 150,000 Belize dollars, rounding out the collaborative support that made this project possible.

 

Dr. Osmond Martinez, Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Trade

“The infrastructure development is one that is so important in any component that is related to economic development and economic growth, but more importantly to enable the friendly environment to support the private sector and consumers. I recall back, it was January as well, of last year, when we were here and part of the road was closed because of the dilapidated conditions the Corozal Free Zone Road was in.  So, even though it was a two-way lane, one of the lanes was non-functional, nonexistent where bush was actually, or the grass was actually coming in to take over that part of the road.  Small vehicles were having issues to come into the Corozal Free Zone and when you look at the Corozal Free Zone is a vital component and contributor to Belize’s GDP.”

 

Isani Cayetano for News Five.