Belize Moves Boldly Toward Digital Transformation
Belize is going all in to carve out its role in the global digital future. With the Business Process Outsourcing sector now supporting nearly twenty thousand jobs, the stakes have never been higher. Today, government officials, industry leaders, and international partners gathered for a high-level strategy workshop to chart the next phase of Belize’s transformation from a traditional BPO destination to a competitive Global Digital Services hub anchored in the Orange Economy. Shane Williams has this story.
Shane Williams, Reporting
As Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies rapidly reshape the world of work, Belize is racing to stay ahead of the curve. That’s why today, key stakeholders came together for a workshop on the Global Digital Services Investment Policy and Strategy, zeroing in on one exciting area, the Orange Economy. CEO in the Office of the Prime Minister and Ministry of Investment, Narda Garcia, told us why this strategy is critical for the country’s future.
Narda Garcia
Narda Garcia, CEO, Ministry of Investment
“We stand at a pivotal moment in our nation’s economic history. Behind the impressive statistics of our thriving BPO sector that is employing over twenty thousand Belizeans, predominantly women and young people, lies a vulnerability we can no longer ignore our success in business process outsourcing what business process outsourcing. Has built what many may call an economic castle. However, there are twin storms approaching one artificial intelligence and protectionist foreign legislation that threaten its very foundation unless we act decisively.”
And acting decisively means, instead of looking at the challenges as roadblocks and hindrances, developing strategies that use AI as a tool and job security threats as a catalyst for skills diversification.
Lincoln Blake
Lincoln Blake, Director, Investment Policy and Compliance Unit
“We brought in the stakeholders because they will be affected, they will be the ones that are impacting the sector. They will be the ones that will retain the employment. Now, for example, in the case of the artificial intelligence, really and truly a lot of people are doubtful. They say, dunno it’s gonna take our jobs. But really and truly. AI is a tool like anything else, and we need to train our people to properly use it so as, to be able to cope in international arena because if you’re able to master those new technologies, because it’s not only ai. There’s several, there’s 3D printers. No we, who knows? We, there’s some experts saying that in the next five years it may be printing or food. So so we need to prepare for all of that. We need to prepare. It’s a paradigm shift. Even the we, how we are educating our people. It should be different. Now some experts are talking about, about, about you. Going to the university means that you might not only get one major, you should be getting three majors.”
And while pursuing multiple degrees is not on the table for most, the status quo is not an option. Those who will survive and thrive in the future are those who adapt to modern technology and embrace the orange economy. Consultant Luis Parilla is leading the exercise to develop Belize’s Global Digital Strategy. He says the strategy will rely on six pillars.
Luis Parrilla
Luis Parrilla, Consultant
“The key pillars of the strategy are six comprehensive pillars that encompass many elements legal reform, incentive reform education capacity training. Visibility and export but also data governance and interagency operability.”
Shane Williams
“If implemented properly, what should we expect?”
Luis Parilla
“You should expect enhanced environment for the growth of these sectors, right? You should be able to see a clear pathways for the Vian workforce and the Vian youth to, to be educated and trained in these skills, in this high digital skills and soft skills that prepare them to go into the labor market and to have a professional careers. Both locally and internationally, and also to harness some international and international resources, right? For the workforce and for the students to be able also to be properly trained and have this the spaces and the opportunities to thrive..”
For the past decade, the BPO industry has been one of Belize’s biggest job creators. Today, nearly twenty thousand agents make up about eleven percent of the workforce. But with AI on the rise and ‘America First’ policies gaining traction, should these employees be worried about their future? We put that question to Victoria Tun, President of the BPO Association.
Victoria Tun
Victoria Tun, Vice-President, BPO Association
“I think all the BPOs are looking at what’s happening in the us, what could happen. But we do understand as an industry, we need to understand that this will affect our tier one, meaning our agents that are mainly doing like. Appointments sets and stuff like that. Um, I think what we have noticed over the coming weeks to come is that we are going into net’s skill set. Our people, upskilling them. Let’s train them with critical thinking. What’s next motive and where else can we help them motivate and as well place them to work.”
While optimism for the future of the industry among stakeholders remains high, CEO Garcia says government is ensuring that our labor force is prepared to meet tomorrow’s needs.
Narda Garcia
“We cannot remove the fact of the inevitable that AI will come and will not finish our BPO sector but will change it. And so as I mentioned and I quoted the honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs that we cannot be afraid. We have to be prepared for whatever comes.”
Belize’s Global Digital Strategy is a five-year plan, but policy makers are keenly aware that the need to adapt to technological advancement is an almost daily exercise. Shane Williams for News Five.
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