F. Belize Confidentiality
(1.) The Belize Offshore Banking Act, 1996[3]
There are no specific secrecy laws for most companies. However, the Offshore Banking Act does provide a covenant under Part VII Section 34 stipulating that no information shall be disclosed of a licensee or a customer of a licensee unless lawfully requested or allowed by the courts of Belize. The act does allow for the Central Bank of Belize to share this information with their foreign counterparts.[4]
However, this level of sharing would probably have to be negotiated with each group where treaty does not already provide more guidance. Offenders of this section can face a $5000 fine, six months in prison, or both.
[3] Belize Trade & Investment Development Service (Beltraide), Investment Guide: Legislation: OFFSHORE BANKING ACT 1996, available at http://www.belizeinvest.org.bz/act_banking.shtml (last visited on Oct. 3, 2002).
[4] Offshore Banking Act (Chapter 267), 2000 Revision.
Belize Tax Law Thesis 