About BCCI

The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) is the largest private sector membership based organization in Belize. Founded in 1920, the organization has been consistently championing the causes of its private sector constituency and considers among its primary objectives the social and economic development of Belize through the development of all sectors of industry and commerce. Additionally, since 1997, the Chamber is the only recognized "Employers Organization" in Belize under the International Labour Organization's (ILO) tri-partite social partnership.

Currently the BCCI boasts a fluctuating membership of almost three hundred (300) Belizean businesses from a wide cross section of the agricultural, productive, service and industrial sectors. The BCCI's mandate is legally enshrined in Chapter 308 of the Laws of Belize under the Belize Chamber of Commerce & Industry Act. The specific objectives of the organization are as follows:

Objectives

  • To foster the economic growth and social well being of the nation through the free enterprise system at all levels, by promoting and protecting, both nationally and internationally, commerce, and all sectors of industry which includes agri-business, tourism and manufacturing, the professions and the trades;
  • To continually strive to enhance the Chamber's ability to better serve its members whilst operating as a self-sustaining, non-profit, non-political organization.

Directed by an elected twelve member Executive Council (EC) derived from the general membership, the Chamber has a full-time administrative staff of fifteen who create, implement and monitor the programs of the Chamber and its for profit subsidiary units. (See organizational chart.)

Mission Statement

As the voice of the business community, we are the country's leading advocate for private enterprise; promoting economic vitality and quality of life in Belize.

Vision Statement:

To contribute to the sustainable development of Belize through effective representation of the business community;

As a member of the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry, you will be provided with the opportunity to make an impact on critical business and community issues. Together we can build leading businesses and better communities! Meet the Secretariat below:

BCCI Secretariat

Celene Cleland - Gomez
Mrs. Celene Cleland – Gomez

C.E.O.

Kim Aikman
Mrs. Kim Aikman

Membership & Labour Executive

Venetia Eck-Salazar
Mrs. Venetia Eck-Salazar

Chief Policy Analyst

Bernadette Ellis
Mrs. Bernadette Ellis

Finance & Human Resources Executive

Mrs. Danette Burns
Ms. Danette Burns

Western Union Manager

Mrs. Sharon Smiling
Mrs. Sharon Smiling

Accountant

Vanessa Peyrefitte
Mrs. Vanessa Peyrefitte

Marketing & Public Relations Manager

Mrs. Ruth Romero
Ms. Ruth Romero

Senior Administrator

Yorshabell Cattouse
Ms. Yorshabell Cattouse

Membership Programs
Administrator

Delmi Novelo
Ms. Delmi Novelo

Administrative Assistant

Delwin Soberanis
Mr. Delwin Soberanis

Office Assistant

Ms. Maryellen Ovado
Ms. Maryellen Ovado

Customer Service Representative
(Western Union)

Ms. Elizabeth Reid
Ms. Elizabeth Reid

Customer Service Representative
(Western Union)

Mrs. Venesia Neal
Mrs. Venesia Neal

Accounting Clerk

Ms. Karen Young
Mrs. Karen Young

Compliance Officer
(Western Union)

Executive Council

The New Executive Council for the Belize Chamber of Commerce & Industry that was elected at the Annual General Meeting on April 24th, 2008.

Mrs. Amparo Mason - PresidentMrs. Amparo Masson
President
The Angelus Press Ltd.
General Manager


Emile Mena - Past PresidentMr. Emile Mena
Past President
Mena Group of Companies
Director


V.P. ServicesMr. Israel Marin
V.P. Services
Belize Diesel & Equipment Co. Ltd.
Directing Manager


Ms. Kay Menzies - V.P. CommerceMs. Kay Menzies
V.P. Commerce
Karl H. Menzies Company Ltd.
Managing Director


Mr. Jose Alpuche - V.P. IndustryMr. Jose Alpuche
V.P. Industry
Belize Agro-productive Sector Group
CEO


Mr. Rene Blanco - TreasurerMr. Rene Blanco
Treasurer
Belize Electricity Limited
V.P. Finance & Admin/Chief Finance Officer


Mr. Bryon Bowman - SecretaryMr. Bryon Bowman
Secretary
Citrus Growers Association (CGA)
Chairman


Mr. James Scott - CouncilorMr. James Scott
Councilor
Radisson Fort George Hotel and Marina
General Manager


Mr. Salvador Espat IIIMr. Salvador Espat III
Councilor
Prosser Fertilizer & Agrotec Co. Ltd.
Production Manager


Mrs. Ashanti MartinMrs. Ashanti Martin
Councilor
Courtenay Coye LLP
Associate


Mr. Alberto YoungMr. Alberto Young
Councilor
Grace Kennedy (Belize) Ltd.
General Manager


Mr. Douglas BowenMr. Douglas Bowen
Councilor
Scotia Bank (Belize) Ltd.
Commercial Banking Manager