Investing in Stocks, Bonds and Shares and Belizeans  

The Financial Services Commission (FSC) serves as the regulatory and supervisory authority for Belize’s non-banking financial services. In 2021, the Government of Belize enacted the Securities Industries Act, which expanded the responsibilities of the former International Financial Services Commission, transforming it into the FSC. Now, the FSC oversees the securities sector and the Belize Companies and Corporate Affairs Registry. Although legislation to regulate the securities sector has been in place for the past four years, the FSC is actively working to raise awareness about the investment opportunities within this sector. Today, they hosted a press briefing to shed light on these opportunities and provide further information.

 

Claude Haylock, Director General, FSC

“You really should care because I mean we are starting the process of regulating the securities market in Belize. Securities have always been in Belize. It is there but it has never been in a regulated and formularized way. Basically securities are stocks, bonds, people buy shares in companies. People are able to invest in that way. As the company prosper the shares increase in value. Their little part in that company increase in value. There are some Belizeans who own shares in BTL. When those companies do well, they do well. It gives Belizean an opportunity to invest in other things, rather than having a bank account and lets be frank, we all know. You getting little or nothing in bank. It probably cost more to keep your money in the bank than what the bank gives you in interest rate. Securities gives Belizeans another opportunity for investment and to grow wealth. I think that is an important objective of government to broaden, democratize capital in Belize. Belize is a very bank centric economy. The introduction of securities will give Belizeans other ways to invest in the market.”