PM says ministers’ trip to Cannes is not illegal or unethical

Who can ever forget the pictures of Minister of Investment Erwin Contreras and Minister of Tourism Manuel Heredia hobnobbing with the rich and famous in Cannes? They were the guests of the movers and shakers in the Puerto Azul project, dubbed a citadel of luxury. While the ministers and their family members who went along for the trip had the time of their lives, it’s gotten bigger than just a junket. It’s felt that the presence of the ministers of investment and tourism at the project launch would give the impression that the project is a done deal and has the blessings of government – which we are told it doesn’t…not yet at least. Prime Minister Dean Barrow says that while he understands the jarring note struck by the presence of the ministers, he’s satisfied that it was not illegal or unethical.

Prime Minister Dean Barrow

Dean Barrow

“I think it’s a legitimate point of view that ministers ought to think carefully before accepting trips sponsored by potential investors but you have to be careful because in situations where for example somebody says I want to build a factory and I want you to come to Salvador to see my factory here and see how it operates. Certainly the government won’t pay because until we do see the factory and check out everything da puss inna bag…and in those circumstances I can understand. The Cannes trip…again these people are trying to promote this concept. They say they would want the ministers there to interact as well with the larger pool of investors that would have been present on the occasion. I don’t think that what was done crossed the line. I am conceding that there is an argument. I am glad that you said it certainly doesn’t break any law in Belize because it’s not the first time that investors have sponsored ministerial trips and I looked at the law. There was a time when it was against the law…was against the integrity in public life act but after the change and the replacement it’s not against the law so I will have to end up by saying it has to be looked at on a case by case basis.”