Chetumal, Quintana Roo — Belize will issue a Regional Visitor Card (TVR) for residents of five southeastern Mexican states, officials announced after a meeting between local business leaders and Belizean authorities.
The card will be available to residents of Chiapas, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatán and Quintana Roo. It is designed to boost regional development and strengthen ties between Mexico and Belize.
The TVR will function similarly to the card currently issued by Mexico’s National Migration Institute (INM) for visitors from Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. Currently, Mexicans traveling beyond Belize’s free-trade zone must present a passport and obtain special permits.
Business and diplomatic alliances
Although the meeting was described as informal, the main agreement is to promote business organizations in Belize and southern Quintana Roo. Formal meetings with officials from both countries will follow.
Neri Ramírez, CEO of the Corozal Free Zone, said the initiative could also strengthen cultural activities. José Luis Kelly, Belize’s honorary consul in Quintana Roo, said actions are coming to improve the relationship between Mexico and Belize.
Belizean businessman José de Jesús Celly proposed creating a working forum to address current problems and solutions, taking advantage of new diplomatic channels.
Private sector support
The business sector in southern Quintana Roo expressed full support for the initiative. Rodolfo Valle said any promotional action that improves the local economy should be backed. Raúl Andrade Angulo, president of the Association of Hotels of the Center and South, emphasized that this historic relationship should be promoted.
Esteban Mera, president of Canirac Chetumal-Bacalar, called the engagement very important. Daniel Reinhardt, a member of Coparmex, reiterated that the private sector offers its cooperation to all three levels of government.
The outreach coincides with the appointment of Óscar Arnold as Executive Director of Belize’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the arrival of Mexico’s new ambassador to Belize, Ana Luisa Vallejo Barba.
