The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved a loan of up to eight million US dollars to improve the efficiency of the public sector and strengthen fiscal sustainability in Belize, enhancing public employment management and optimizing spending.
‘This programme will help Belize build a more modern, efficient, and transparent public sector, strengthening its capacity to deliver better services to citizens while supporting fiscal sustainability and long-term development,’ said Karla González, IDB Group representative in Belize. The total project cost is nine million US dollars, including the million dollars to be financed by the IDB and one million in local counterpart funding, with a five-year disbursement period.
The programme, which will be executed by Belize’s Ministry of Public Service and Disaster Risk Management, aims to strengthen strategic workforce management and promote a more efficient, transparent, and digitally enabled public administration.
The IDB said Belize has made progress in strengthening its fiscal position, but a growing wage bill continues to constrain resources for priority investments.
It said by improving public employment management, the programme will help create space for investments in infrastructure, education, and health while supporting sustainable growth.
Among the key reforms, the programme will introduce an integrated Human Resources Management Information System, strengthen payroll controls, and support workforce planning and compensation reforms.
It will also invest in digital infrastructure, data management, and cybersecurity to improve decision-making and operational efficiency across government.
The initiative is expected to benefit approximately16,000 public employees through improved systems, training, and more transparent practices. It will also enhance public sector workforce skills and improve the use of data to guide policy and management decisions across the public sector.
The programme promotes inclusive public employment practices and supports Belize’s broader digital transformation agenda, contributing to more responsive and citizen-centered service delivery. It aligns with the IDB’s work to strengthen institutions and public management across the region.