table shows that in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), Bahamas and Jamaica, countries similar to Belize in population size, have HDIs of 49 and 85 respectively (Ibid). Relative to other countries, one might also track the long-term progress of Belize based on its geographical location and HDI value. In this regard, between 1980 and 2012, Belize, Costa Rica and Cuba experienced different degrees of progress toward increasing their HDIs, as illustrated in the figure below (Ibid). Aside from its pressing developmental concerns relative to countries with similar endowments, other challenges for Belize include its heavy foreign debt burden, continuing high levels of unemployment, growing drug trade, high crime rate, and the existence of one of the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rates in Central America. Perhaps most regrettably, underdeveloped infrastructure continues to be a major inhibitor to economic growth. Belize is, indeed, said to have the most expensive electricity in the region, and its telecommunications and ICT sectors are lagging behind countries of similar potential. This is a serious threat to any attempt by Government to diversify and grow its economy. Certainly, an excellent communications infrastructure is vital in order to encourage people to share ideas and to collaborate across the country as well as with the Diaspora, which is an important source of creativity, ideas, financing and know-how. The same applies to the global business and investment community, which requires world-class infrastructure to capitalise on its core efficiencies. 32