The visible trade deficit is counterbalanced by overseas aid, British military expenditures, foreign remittances from expatriates, and receipts from tourism. In 1999, Belize's current account deficit was the largest on record for the country, at US $62.2 million. It subsequently increased. Since the end of 1998, the trade deficit has widened, due to an increase in manufactured good purchases for the industrial and construction sectors.
The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) reports that in 2001 the purchasing power parity of Belize's exports was US $239.6 million while imports totaled US $505 million resulting in a trade deficit of US $265.4 million.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) reports that in 2000 Belize had exports of goods totaling US $212 million and imports totaling US $404 million. The services credit totaled US $172 million and debit US $120 million. The following table summarizes Belize's balance of payments as reported by the IMF for 2000 in millions of US dollars.
Current Account | -140 |
Balance on goods | -191 |
Balance on services | 53 |
Balance on income | -54 |
Current transfers | 53 |
Capital Account | -1 |
Financial Account | 88 |
Direct investment abroad | … |
Direct investment in Belize | 18 |
Portfolio investment assets | … |
Portfolio investment liabilities | 27 |
Other investment assets | -39 |
Other investment liabilities | 83 |
Net Errors and Omissions | 7 |
Reserves and Related Items | 43 |
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