How To Get A Special Export Processing Zone

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EXPORT PROCESSING ZONE PROGRAM

Costs:

QUICK FACTS

TYPES OF EPZ STATUS:

1. Export Processing Zone Developer – a company established to administer an Export Processing Zone. Developers provide factory space, communications, water/sewage networks, power, and any other facilities to companies in the zone.

2. Export Processing Zone Business – a private party that has been granted a Certificate of Compliance and conducts a trade or business including but not limited to manufacturing, commercial, office, warehousing, professional or other export related activities.

3. Special Export Processing Zones – companies on which EPZ status is conferred wherever they locate to accommodate resource-base activities. This is a highly flexible tool enabling companies to operate from convenient locations while enjoying EPZ benefits.

The Export Processing Zone (EPZ) Program (Chapter 280 Laws of Belize) is intended to attract both local and foreign investments to boost production for export markets with a focus on services, manufactured goods and non-traditional agricultural products.

An EPZ holder is treated as being outside the Customs territory of the host state, where export-oriented activities are undertaken in the manufacturing, processing, assembly, and service (exclude Tourism) sectors.

BENEFITS OF EPZ PROGRAM:

• Import duty exemptions on inputs.

• Import duty exemption on transport trucks, forklifts, and similar vehicles used exclusively within the EPZ.

• Duty and tax exemption on diesel fuel used for energy generation purposes.

• Export duty exemptions.

• Exemption from capital gains tax, property tax, land tax, and taxes on trade turnover.

• Exemption from excise and consumption taxes on inputs. • Exemption on General Sales Tax.

• Tax holiday of twenty (20) years. • Dividend tax exemption in perpetuity.

• Eligibility to open foreign currency bank accounts in Belize. • Customs inspection at the Zone for expediency.

• Work permits may be granted for up to 15% of workers of the EPZ (all positions must be of senior management or technical level).

• Exemptions from the Supplies Control Act and its regulations. • No import restrictions on raw materials.

• No import or export licensing requirements. • Exemption from trade licenses.

For more information kindly contact BELTRAIDE at (501) 822-3737 or e-mail at [email protected]

Application proposal can be submitted to BELTRAIDE at the address #14 Orchid Garden Street, Belmopan City, Belize, C.A.

APPLICATION FORMAT SNAPSHOT:

• Completed EPZ Application Form: Second and Fourth Regulation under EPZ Act

• Detailed Project Proposal outlining proposed undertaking • Copies of Memorandum and Articles of Association, and

Certificate of Incorporation

• Two (2) Bankers’ References on the firm and its principals • One (1) Commercial Reference on the firm and the its principals • Environmental Clearance from the Department of Environment • Document validating proof of property designated for EPZ status • Copies of passport of all foreign principals of the company • Written request to the Ministry to do a site visit of the

proposed area

• Payment of non-refundable Application Fee BZ$1,000 at the Government Treasury

WHO QUALIFIES?

Any private or public party, or group of parties may establish an EPZ business on property that it owns or leases within the Zone, provided it has applied for and obtained a Certificate of Compliance from the Export Processing Zone Committee (EPZC).

WHAT ARE THE ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES?

Any company that would be involved in any of the following activities: processing, manufacturing, assembly, data processing, and other services (not including Tourism sector) solely for the export market.

DURATION OF APPLICATION PROCESS:

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1 EXPORT PROCESSING ZONE ACT

CHAPTER 280 LAWS OF BELIZE

Applicants shall submit eighteen (18) bounded copies of completed Project Proposal with all required documents and cover letter addressed to the Chairman, Export Processing Zone Committee (EPZC), Ministry of Trade, Investment Promotion, Private Sector Development, and Consumer Protection.

Project Proposal Checklist

Project Proposal Item Status

01 Formal Letter of Application addressed to EPZC 02 Table of Contents

03 Application Form (refer to Annex 1) 04 Executive Summary

05 Principals/Shareholders 06 Overview/Introduction 07 Background

08 Marketing Strategy

09 Facilities & Infrastructure, and Physical Master Plan

10 Proposed Construction Schedule/Project Development Timeline 11 Technology and Production

12 Capital Cost Estimate

13 Ownership, Staff and Management Organization (with Organization Chart)

14 Ten Year Financial Projection (Income, Cash Flow, Balance Sheet) 15 Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and Memorandum &

Articles Assoc.

16 Two Bank References 17 One Commercial Reference

18 Environmental Clearance from Department of Environment 19 “No Objection” Letter from Central Building Authority 20 Proof of Property Ownership/Leasing Arrangement

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2 PROJECT PROPOSAL CONTENTS

In compiling the proposal, kindly ensure that information provided for each proposal item is accurate, and as thorough as possible. The Export Processing Zone Committee needs to be convinced that the economic and social benefits justify the granting of an EPZ status. Therefore, kindly note that items with uncertainties will be prompted for further elaborations.

A properly bounded Project Proposal must be submitted in eighteen (18 copies) to the Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE) with the following proposal items:

1. Formal letter of application addressed to the Chairman of Export Processing

Zone Committee, and request for a site visit to be undertaken at the proposed

project location. 2. Table of Contents

3. Application Form (refer to Annex 1) 4. Executive Summary

5. Principals/Shareholders

 Name, Address, Nationality, and the number of shares held by each Principal/Shareholder.

 Copy of passport or other official identification of all Principals/Shareholders of the Company.

 Contact numbers and email address of the “Official Contact Person”.

 If an applying Company has a Company entity as one of its shareholders, the names of the corresponding Principals of that Company entity must also be submitted as well.

6. Overview/Introduction

 Brief on the product/service.  Project justification or rational.

 Brief description of the project and the market in which it plans to operate. 7. Background

 Location of project and size of property and company.  Description and objective of the project.

 Description of facilities and products to be produced.  Benefits of the project.

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 Scope of project.

 Detailed description of project sponsors.

 Background on company and/or applicant such as previous/current year’s performance and assets and liabilities etc.

 Experience in the sector and awareness of other suppliers of the same or similar products/services in the country/region.

8. Marketing Strategy

 Precise description of the product/service and its associated activities.  Market demand, size and demand of growth.

 Existing size and capacity of industry.  Past and future growth of sector.  Type and quality of goods/services.  Foreign and local competition.

 Major problems and future development to impact on industry.  Existing prices of products/services.

 Target customers and markets.

 Sales programme, and advertising programme.

 Estimated sales revenues according to markets and products/services.  Pricing system.

9. Facilities and infrastructure, and physical Master Plan showing overall layout and indicate layout for water, electricity, telephone, security, a Customs office and other basic services.

 Size of property.

 Size of the different buildings and/or facilities on property.

 Physical Master Plan showing overall layout and that water, electricity, telephone, security, a Customs office and other basic services are provided. 10. Proposed Construction Schedule and Timeline of Project Development.

 Proposed implementation time and schedule.  Estimated implementation cost for each period. 11. Technology and Production

 Description of technology and process to be utilized.  Estimated cost of technologies.

 Suggested plan layout.

 Indication of plant capacity and efficiency.

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 Comparison of technology with competitors.  Description of possible linkages.

12. Capital Cost Estimate

 Estimated cost of local and foreign technologies.  Estimate of investment cost of equipment.

 Detailed capital cost estimate including land, capital/fixed items, equipment, and other costs.

 Financing source

13. Ownership, Staff and Management Organization  Organogram of staff and management.

 Details of salary and positions to be held in the company for the next ten (10) years

(SAMPLE) WAGES PER POSITION AND SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENT YEAR 2014

Position # of Staff Monthly Wage Per Employee

Total Monthly

Wage Annual Payroll

Annual Social Security Payment Finance Manager 1 Human Resource Manager 1 Operations Supervisor 3 Operators 8 IT Officer 2 Procurement Officer 2 Sales Officer 2

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14. Ten (10) year Financial Projections, including Income Statement, Cash Flow Statement, and Sales Arrangement Plans

 Details of all revenues from sales and recurrent expenditures over the next ten (10) years to run the day to day activity including: wages, utility, equipment, maintenance, utilities, social security payments, insurance, purchase of raw material which would include local raw material that would be used, fuel, equipment, marketing fees, etc.

 Financial data and all assumptions supporting the statements, including calculations of sales and costs.

15. Copy of Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, Memorandum and Articles of

Association.

16. Two (2) bank references in support of the Company and its main principals. 17. One (1) commercial reference on the Company and its main principals. 18. Environmental Clearance from the Department of Environment.

19. “No-Objection” letter from the Central Building Authority to ensure that all buildings and facilities are structurally sound.

20. Proof of property ownership or leasing agreement for the property, building, or office space.

21. Provide any other information which the Export Processing Zone Committee may require.

22. Make payment of the non-refundable application fee BZ$1,000.00 at the Belize City Treasury or any of the Sub-Treasuries countrywide with the following information:

 Payment Details: Non-Refundable EPZ Application Fee  Cost Center: 32017

 Item: 11704

 Programme: 120

 Activity: 14

Please fax the payment receipt as soon as possible to the Executive Director, Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE).

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NOTE: After all the above documents and application have been delivered to

BELTRAIDE, the applicant will be notified via electronic mail indicating whether the application requirements have been completed satisfactorily. Thereafter, when the Ministry of Trade, Investment Promotion, Private Sector Development and Consumer Protection notifies that the application has been accepted, the EPZ Committee has no more than thirty (30) working days to make a decision.

For more information on the rules and procedures of processing an EPZ application and responsibilities of EPZs in Belize, please peruse Export Processing Zone Act, Chapter 280, Revised Edition 2003 (Regulations).

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7 KEY CONSIDERATIONS WHEN COMPILING THE PROPOSAL

A. Proof of ownership or lease of land, building or office space used to operate the EPZ.

B. Provide independent utility installations after offering existing utility services in Belize, the option for the provision of such services based on quantity, competitiveness and other relevant considerations.

C. Establish an on-site office for the Customs Department. D. Residential quarters are NOT allowed in the EPZ compound.

E. Special EPZs are NOT allowed to share their compound with companies that are not EPZ companies.

F. Maintain adequate surveillance and fenced area of operations.

G. All EPZ Companies are levied a Social Fee on the value of all goods and services imported into an Export Processing Zone at the rate of 10% on fuel and 1.5% on general merchandise, on the value imported.

H. 15% of the total labor employed by the EPZ is allowed to be foreign, considering that the positions are senior management and technical.

NOTE: Only points A, D, G and H apply for an EPZ Business since these Companies

will be located within an EPZ park that is managed by an EPZ Developer.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF ALL EPZ STATUS HOLDERS

I. Furnishing the Ministry, responsible for EPZs, with Bi-Annual reports on the 31st of July and January of every year.

II. Making the yearly payment (to the Government of Belize) of the Industrial Roof Space (IRS) fee calculated at BZ$0.25 per square foot. The FIRST payment of the IRS is due immediately after the signing of the Operations Contract.

III. All EPZ Companies are levied a Social Fee on the value of all goods and services imported into an Export Processing Zone at the rate of 10% on fuel and 1.5% on general merchandise, on the value imported.

IV. EPZ Businesses shall make a monthly report of all transactions in its foreign currency accounts and also of all sales and purchases, to the Central Bank of Belize (template available).

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Export Processing Zone

CAP. 280]

THE SUBSIDIARY LAWS OF BELIZE REVISED EDITION 2003

Printed by the Government Printer, No. 1 Power Lane, Belmopan, by the authority of

the Government of Belize. 14

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APPLICATION FOR EPZ DESIGNATION

1. Company Profile:

(a)

Name of EPZ Company _______________________________________

(b)

Telephone _________________________________________________

(c)

Telex and Cable _____________________________________________

(d)

Facsimile __________________________________________________

(e)

Mailing Address _____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

(f)

General Manager ____________________________________________

(g)

Legal Representative _________________________________________

(h)

EPZ Classification ___________________________________________

(i)

General _____________________

(ii)

Special _____________________

Annex 1:

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the Government of Belize.

Export Processing Zone

[CAP. 280

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2. Location:

_____________________ Corozal

_____________________ Orange Walk

_____________________ Belize

_____________________ Cayo

_____________________ Stann Creek

_____________________ Toledo

3. Production

(a)

Current activities and business operations being conducted by applicant for

special EPZ designation:

_____________________ Manufacturing

_____________________ Agri-processing

_____________________ Trading

_____________________ Services

_____________________ Other

Date _________________

Signature ___________________

Title _______________________

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Export Processing Zone

[CAP. 280

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THIRD SCHEDULE

[Regulation 4]

GENERAL INFORMATION

FOR PROCESSING OF EPZ BUSINESS STATUS

BELIZE

1. Provide Company’s

(a)

Memorandum

(b)

Articles of Association

(c)

Certificate of Incorporation

2. Complete the attached application form.

3. Provide a five (5) year financial projection of investment in the Zone.

4. Provide any other information as the Ministry of Trade and Commerce may require.

5. Labour Force:

(a)

Personnel necessary to initiate operations

Men

Women

Total

Professional ______________________________________________________

Technical ______________________________________________________

Other ______________________________________________________

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Export Processing Zone

CAP. 280]

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Foreign

National

Total

Professional ______________________________________________________

Technical _______________________________________________________

Other ______________________________________________________

(b)

Necessary personnel at Maximum capacity

Men

Women

Total

Professional ______________________________________________________

Technical _______________________________________________________

Other ______________________________________________________

Foreign

National

Total

Professional ______________________________________________________

Technical _______________________________________________________

Other ______________________________________________________

6. Production:

(a)

Expected Commencement Date of Operations ______________________

(b)

Expected Date of Maximum Operations __________________________

7. Physical Plant in square feet __________________________________________

8. Requiring Services:

(a)

Electricity

Beginning

Maximum

Load

_______________________

Voltage

_______________________

Monthly Consumption

_______________________

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Export Processing Zone

[CAP. 280

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(b)

Water

Potable:

Avg. daily Consumption

_______________________

Reqd. volume/1t/sec

_______________________

Industrial:

Avg. Daily Consumption

_______________________

Reqd. volume 1t/sec

_______________________

(c)

Telecommunications:

_________________________________________

Date: ______________________

Signature: _________________________

Title: ________________________

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Export Processing Zone

CAP. 280]

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CHART 1

INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

1/ PLEASE GIVE FULL DETAILS OF EACH PRODUCT IN ORDER T O ASSESS POTENTIAL TA X EXEMPTIONS

DESCRIPTION

YEAR 1 YEAR 2 YEAR 3

AMOUNT (US $) COUNTRY ORIGIN AMOUNT (US $) COUNTRY ORIGIN AMOUNT (US $) COUNTRY ORIGIN MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT 1/ TOTAL

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Export Processing Zone

[CAP. 280

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CHART 2

EXPORT DESCRIPTION

DESCRIPTION

YEAR 1 YEAR 2 YEAR 3

Volume (KLG) Value (US$) Volume (KLG) Value (US$) Volume (KLG) Value (US$)

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Export Processing Zone

CAP. 280]

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CHART 3

DETAILS OF RAW MATERIALS AND PACKAGING

BOUGHT OUTSIDE BELIZE

DESCRIPTION

YEAR 1 YEAR 2 YEAR 3

Volume (KLG) Value (US $) Volume (KLG) Value (US $) Volume (KLG) Value (US $)

RAW MATERIALS AND PACKAGING 1/

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Export Processing Zone

[CAP. 280

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CHART 3-A

DETAILS OF RAW MATERIALS AND PACKAGING

BOUGHT IN BELIZE

DESCRIPTION

YEAR 1 YEAR 2 YEAR 3

Volume (KLG) Value (US $) Volume (KLG) Value (US $) Volume (KLG) Value (US $)

RAW MATERIALS AND

PACKAGING 1/

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Export Processing Zone

CAP. 280]

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CHART 4

DETAILS OF OFFICE EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLE

DETAILS YEAR 1 (US $) YEAR 2 (US $) YEAR 3 (US $)

OFFICE EQUIPMENT 1/

VEHICLE