Following DFC’s 53rd year of serving the people of Belize, The Development Finance Corporation (DFC) hosted its first Productive Sector EXPO at the ITVET Courtyard in Belize City which was held on Saturday October 1st, 2016.
The first of its kind, DFC’s EXPO featured a cross spectrum of DFC clients; from small Micro Sector Enterprise businesses such as The Sausage Factory (San Pedro) and Gordon’s Installation and Express Cleaning (Belize City) to larger Productive sector business such as Toucan Industries (Caribbean Sunrise juices, Belmopan) and Black Orchid Resort (Burrell Boom) to name a few.
Entrance for the Public was free with attractions including a $500 cash prize and Resort stays as gate prizes, Double Up and Phone specials by Digicell and SMART, Entertainment for children, a Jingle Competition, food, drinks and more.
Key developmental partners such as BELTRAIDE, the Central Building Authority, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) and the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (5Cs) were also present.
DFC is Belize’s only Development Bank. In his address on the Impact DFC has had on Belize’s economy, Mr. Franklyn Magloire, Assistant General Manager of Lending Operations stated, “(Since 2009) DFC has done disbursements of over $160 Million dollars to the Belizean economy. Of this amount $116 Million or 71% was directly disbursed to the Productive Sector, $20.69 Million disbursed to the Residential Sector and $21.1 Million was disbursed to the Educational Sector, reflecting the DFC’s commitment not only to economic growth and development but also to social development as well.”
In his Keynote address, guest speaker Mr. Daniel Guiterrez of the Economic Development Council commended the DFC for its work and success in contributing to the nation’s development. “This re-invented DFC went from being a crippled burden on the public purse, to a beacon of improved governance and an important support to our nation’s development agenda. This resurgent DFC embraces the future as it prepares its clients for the cloudy days of climate change, whilst it cradles its customers in the aftermath of storms.
This remarkable story of your tenacity and success, not to mention the belief in you by the Prime Minister of this country, underscores the rebirth that comes with good reform.”
Continuously evolving, DFC now offers financing for businesses to reduce their long term operational costs by investing in Renewable Energy and Energy Efficient (RE/EE) Technologies. RE/EE formed the theme for DFC’s 2016 EXPO with this new financing supporting DFC’s efforts to encourage businesses to integrate Environmental Resilient mechanisms into their business operations. Private RE/EE Businesses which participated in the EXPO were Pro Solar Ltd. (Belmopan), Go Green Consultancy and Green Sun Ltd., installers of Chromagen Solar Water heating systems (Residential & Commercial systems).
The Corporation continues on its mission to invest in the long-term, sustainable development of Belizeans and the Belizean economy.
DFC wishes to thank its clients, partners, Digicell and Smart and all persons who attended this year’s EXPO, helping to make it a phenomenal success.
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Rachel S. Lattibadare
Manager, Marketing & Communications
Development Finance Corporation
+501 – 610 – 3360
+501 – 822 – 2350 / 2360 ext: 282
rachel.sedacy@dfcbelize.org
The facilitation DFC provided to refinance our business in order to invest in the creation of a totally new product was most helpful.
