By Aaron Humes, Belmopan: Prime Minister and Minister of Finance John Briceno is presenting the 2026-2027 General Revenue and Appropriations Bill, 2026.
Despite a year of unpredictability across the world, Belize remained steady, he reported, with high employment, rebounding industries, sustainable debt and steady economic growth which is expected to continue this year.
Estimated economic growth for the coming fiscal year is a steady 2.3 percent, with national debt passing $4.6 billion but remaining around 66 percent of GDP, $2.9 billion of which is external debt.
Revenue estimates for 2026-2027 are expected to reach $139 million more to more than $1.79 billion, mostly from increased tax revenue. The Government is expected to spend $1.902 billion in recurrent and capital expenditure, including reclassifications in education and health, and $780 million will be paid out in salaries and emoluments, or 60 percent of the budget and 11 percent of GDP – something the Prime Minister said “we have to keep under tight control” as it is one of the highest in the region. But so too is capital expenditure, 32 percent of total spending. National GDP is expected to pass $7.4 billion and primary surplus stands at 49 million, but the overall budget deficit is $110 million, which when added to amortization results in $280 million in deficit or 3.3 percent of GDP.
Finance to meet the deficit will come from le external loans ($117 million) and capital spending ($133 million).
The post THE BUDGET 2026: Belize will remain steady, says P.M. appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Aaron Humes, Belmopan: Prime Minister and Minister of Finance John Briceno is presenting the 2026-2027 General Revenue and Appropriations Bill, 2026. Despite a year of unpredictability across the world, Belize remained steady, he reported, with high employment, rebounding industries, sustainable debt and steady economic growth which is expected to continue this year. Estimated economic
The post THE BUDGET 2026: Belize will remain steady, says P.M. appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
