Belmopan, Belize, 31 May 2023
In implementation of the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud; the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) Board of Directors Chairman, H.E. Ahmed Al Khateeb, signed a development loan agreement worth $45 million with the Prime Minister of Belize, Hon. John Briceño, for the Construction of the Tertiary Hospital in the Belmopan Area Project.
The signing ceremony was attended by Hon. Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism and Diaspora Relations; Hon. Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health and Wellness; Hon. Christopher Coye, Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development, and Investment, H.E. Haisam Diab, Ambassador of Investment, H.E. Sultan Al-Muzaini, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Saudi Embassy in Mexico, Mrs. Narda Garcia, CEO in the Office of the Prime Minister and Investment, and officials from both sides.
The signing of this agreement is part of the efforts undertaken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through the SFD, to support sustainable development in developing countries and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) around the world. With decades of expertise since its establishment in 1974, SFD has implemented more than 700 development projects and programs in 86 countries worldwide. Therefore, the signing today marks SFD’s first presence in Belize, making it the 87th country to receive funding for a development project from SFD. This agreement aligns closely with SFD’s goal of supporting the healthcare sector in developing countries.
The new 200 bed hospital will be supplied with state-of-the-art medical equipment, facilities, and integrated health services, benefitting approximately 200,000 citizens annually. Moreover, the project aims to enhance the capacity of the local healthcare system by training health cadres and students from the University of Belize.
In addition to helping to improve access to quality healthcare services, the hospital will play a crucial role in addressing chronic disease management, potentially reducing mortality rates in the region. The new hospital will also stimulate local economic growth by helping to create direct and indirect job opportunities within the healthcare sector, providing a platform for medical education and training and strengthening Belize's long-term healthcare capacity and resilience. This project contributes to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), notably SDG 3, Good Health and Well-being.
Speaking at the signing Ceremony, the Hon. Prime Minister John Briceño, stated that: “On behalf of the Government and people of Belize, we are most grateful to the Government and people of Saudi Arabia for assisting in building a vital tertiary level/teaching hospital. The concessionary financing, through a loan by the Saudi Development Fund (SFD), makes the urgent investment in the health sector a reality.”
For His part, the SFD Board of Directors Chairman H.E. Ahmed Alkhateeb, said: “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is committed to promoting sustainable socio-economic development in developing nations and Small Island Developing States, while supporting the journey to achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. Today's agreement signifies an important step in the development cooperation for both countries. The project to build a tertiary hospital in Belize, will not only empower local communities but also strengthen the health sector's capacity to cater to the requirements of the capital's residents and surrounding areas.”
This agreement emphasizes the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to supporting Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to overcome sustainable development and climate change challenges. The agreement, furthermore, reaffirms the importance of international cooperation and solidarity to achieve sustainable development goals and foster economic and social growth, particularly in SIDS.