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It's an annual event where the bank reviews the performance of its 19 members countries. This year, the Bank's President and Chief Economist said that the region's performance - as a whole - was far from stellar - and Belize's economy - with .5% growth was bringing up the rear - which is just about the regional average:

Dr. W. Warren Smith, President - CDB
"They expanded - that is our regional economies - on average, by 0.6%, with all but five BMCs reporting output growth in 2017. For the majority of our BMCs, this growth was driven by tourism and increases in commodity prices. The prognosis is even better for 2018, with all of these countries expected to grow by around 2%. In a sense, and certainly in terms of economic growth, the Region is in the strongest position since the start of the 2008 global recession."

Dr. Justin Ram, Director, Economics - Caribbean Development Bank
"Notably, the Trinidad and Tobago economy continued to contract. Given that the country's economy accounts for a third of regional output, this meant that on average, the region only grew by 0.6% in 2017."

"The Caribbean's economic performance as a whole continues to lag that of all other groups, most notably other small developing states. We anticipate that the economies of all BMCs will grow in 2018. We expect the regional economy to grow by 2% compared with 0.6% in 2017."

Dr. W. Warren Smith, President - CDB
"Despite the setbacks caused by the natural disasters in late 2017, our Region must get back on track as quickly as possible so that we can meet our commitments to the 2030 sustainable development agenda."

And while Belize's public debt was one of four in the Caribbean that increased in 2017, unemployment in Belize was among the lowest in the region. The 9.4% unemployment rate is the fourth lowest:

Dr. Justin Ram
"On average, BMCs, for which data are available, face double-digit unemployment rates. Although still high, there were notable improvements. For example, unemployment in Grenada and Saint Lucia has fallen by about five percentage points since 2014."

"However, joblessness remains high throughout the Region for young persons. Youth unemployment is as high as 40% in some BMCs."

Here now is Dr. Ram talking about that national debt figure:

Dr. Justin Ram
"Let us now turn to the governments' accounts. Government debt in BMCs is trending downwards. We commend Anguilla, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Suriname for their fiscal effort applied over the last year. If the debt ratio is to trend closer to the benchmark of 60%, then fiscal balances will need to be improved."

THE CDB has been a big part of road projects in Belize - and they are currently funding the upgrade of the first 8 miles of the Phillip Goldson Highway. That project was put forth as an example:

Participant
"Already, the USD39 mn Fifth Road Project in Belize, which will link the International Airport to Belize City, is changing lives. Every day, 20,000 people are using the first section of road opened from the airport to Haulover Bridge."

"In 2017, road safety infrastructure upgrades were completed on 80 km of roadway in Belize. These improvements included improved signage and road markings, access for people with disabilities, and the creation of bicycle paths."

"Through a comprehensive education programme, 10,600 people were trained in road safety practices, most of them youth. We estimate that this combined effort has resulted in the avoidance of approximately 100 road fatalities."

The CDB is also involved in the project to pave the Coastal Road.