Economic History, Entrepreneurship 

A History of Enterprise in Belize delivers an entertaining account and perspective on development history of Belize. This book is an excellent resource to students, educators, and the general public.A History of Enterprise in Belize allows the reader to easily follow the evolution of enterprise in Belize. Opening with logwood, mahogany and chicle extraction, it segways into early sugarcane and fisheries in the north of the country and the coconut and banana industries in the south in the 19th century. The book then progresses through pre-independence and post-independence industrial development, and finally to a projection of the next 25 years ahead. While it is impossible to thoroughly explore all topics, the detailed bibliography provides sources for obtaining more information. A History of Enterprise in Belize is a collection of significant events in enterprise development accented by the people who made it happen. The book’s use of pictures helps to make the advancements come to life as something more than significant events on a timeline.Praise for History of Enterprise in Belize“The book is well referenced, making skillful use of first-person source. Overall, a detailed story of the advancement of entrepreneurship in Belize is shown in readable and entertaining style. This book would serve academic curriculum well. The author’s enthusiasm for the topic is obvious throughout the book”—Mario Marsden, Entrepreneur and Investor More About the BookA History of Enterprise in Belize captures the activities of 40 types of entrepreneurial activity in Belize over the last 400 years. Belize’s first industries exploited natural and human resources to create wealth for British merchants. The birth and evolution of Belize’s extractive industries such as logwood, mahogany, chicle and pine were controlled by British firms. The book continues by documenting Belize’s early agriculture with the development of a sugarcane industry championed by Mestizo immigrants from Mexico. The fisheries, coconut and banana industries of the nineteenth century are also chronicled. Starting in 1913, citrus was first planted as a commercial crop and was followed by rice, beans, vegetables, beef and dairy, pineapple, cacao, honey, cashew, broilers and layers and mangoes up until the gaining of Independence. After Independence in 1981, the new crops included hot peppers, aquaculture, papayas, potatoes and onions. The essential services such as water and sewerage were pioneered in the mid 1,600s, healthcare in 1874 and the mail in 1875. The development of a telephone service, banking and financial services are described. The fortunes of the Belize Electric Light and Ice Company (B.E.L. & I. Co) of 1905 are described as well as the commuter transport and air travel industries. The tourism industry started in the 1950s but did not experience rapid growth until the late 1980s. In 2001, five main agricultural products (sugar, bananas, citrus, papayas and marine products) and tourism were the income earners for the country. Petroleum was discovered in commercial quantities in Spanish Lookout in 2005. However, tourism has been the most important source of foreign exchange over the past five years.The last chapter deals with the evolution of Belize’s sports and entertainment sector. The author makes a projection of what industries will gain prominence in the next 25 years.He offers the three key requirements which will be necessary for these industries to be viable in Belize. The reader is taken on a journey through the progression of agriculture and receives valuable insights into Belize’s developmental timelines. The tone of the book reflects a learned appreciation for the details of Belize’s development and identity. - from Amzon