UK company takes Belize professionals on steep learning curve

UK company takes Belize professionals on steep learning curve

Keywords: Financial management, Offshore investment, Training

A unique training programme setting the standard for professionals in offshore administration has been launched in Belize by Campbell's College Ltd,based in Kent, UK, thanks to a successful trade mission to the region in June 2001.

The mission was organised by the UK government organisation, Trade Partners UK, the Caribbean Trade Advisory Group and the British High Commission in Belmopan, Belize.

Alan Campbell, director of the college, hopes that the programme will become the region's essential qualification for accountants, lawyers and their administrators: "This would not have been possible without the trade mission. It was then that we made our contacts," he said.

The course takes two years to complete and leads to a Certificate in Offshore Finance and Administration, certified by the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators, London. Study covers the administration of trusts,accounting, investment, company law and analysis of the offshore industry itself including the importance of checks and controls on money laundering. The training programme involves weekly seminars, individual work, correspondence over the Internet and occasional weekend lectures. Campbell's College specialises in distance learning courses at centres in the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands, Barbados, Mauritius and Gibraltar.