March 7, 2012 No. 15/12-BD CDB APPROVES LOAN TO BELIZE FOR AMBERGRIS CAYE WATER AND SEWERAGE PROJECT The Government of Belize is to receive financial assistance from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) for expanding water and sewerage facilities on Ambergris Caye. CDB is to provide the Government with a loan equivalent to USD750,000 to finance the services of consultants to undertake detailed designs. Ambergris is an island located northeast of the old capital, Belize City. The largest settlement on the island is the town of San Pedro. Between 2000 and 2010, it experienced the highest average growth rate of any urban centre in Belize. Over the past decade, the permanent population grew from 4,499 to 11,510. More than 100 tourist lodgings operate on the Caye, and during the peak tourist season they provide accommodation for an estimated additional 6,000 persons. CDB previously financed a feasibility study, preliminary and detailed designs, and the Construction of a water and sewerage system for San Pedro which was completed in 1996. That water and sewerage system was originally designed to meet the then forecasted needs of southern Ambergris Caye, through to 2011. Due to the rapid growth experienced on the island in the past 10 years, the Belize Water Service needs to expand its water and sewerage infrastructure to meet existing and future demand over the next 20 years. This project will revalidate the conclusions of the previous feasibility study and prepare detailed designs and cost estimates in order to facilitate the appraisal and financing of a capital project.