Belize City featured in Commonwealth Study
By BBN Staff: Belize City is being featured in a new Commonwealth study examining how cities and local governments can close the urban finance gap and secure sustainable funding for infrastructure and essential services. The city was selected as one of only three case studies highlighted in the research, alongside Kerala State in India and […] The post Belize City featured in Commonwealth Study appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Black News 
By BBN Staff: Belize City is being featured in a new Commonwealth study examining how cities and local governments can close the urban finance gap and secure sustainable funding for infrastructure and essential services. The city was selected as one of only three case studies highlighted in the research, alongside Kerala State in India and Kigali, Rwanda.
On Wednesday, August 5, Belize City Mayor Bernard Wagner participated in the Commonwealth Local Government Forum’s webinar, “The Urban Finance Gap: Practical Pathways for Local Government Finance across the Commonwealth.” The discussion explored practical approaches to strengthening local government finance, improving resilience and ensuring cities have the resources needed to deliver critical services.
During the webinar, Wagner emphasized that financing infrastructure projects cannot end once construction is completed. He noted that projects such as drainage systems and roads must be designed to withstand changing conditions while also having adequate funding for operation, maintenance and eventual renewal. The Yarborough Pumping Station was highlighted as an example, having proven effective in draining the city’s waterways during flooding but also requiring significant recurring costs for continued operation and maintenance.
The Belize City Council said the city’s inclusion in the study highlights its fiscal administration, innovative approach to municipal finance and experience with its Municipal Bond Programme. It added that closing the urban finance gap will require greater decentralization, sustainable financing frameworks and increased trust in capable local governments to invest in their communities. Belize City’s experience is being presented as an example of what local leadership can achieve despite limited fiscal space.
The post Belize City featured in Commonwealth Study appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
