Chamber of Commerce Meets with P.M. to Discuss Reforms
Arturo Vasquez
The Chamber of Commerce has been making the media and political rounds to promote its business agenda – its own platforms similar to those circulated every election cycle. It’s all about reforms – tax, governance, social – those things for which every responsible elector clamours and which every political party offers especially at election time. The Chamber has had the opportunity to meet with the Opposition to present that plan, and to be presented with that party’s plan. Today it was the PM’s turn. The Chamber met with him this afternoon at his office in Belize City.
Arturo Vasquez, President, Chamber of Commerce
“The discussion was very positive and I am sure that he has taken the report card like I have mentioned. There is a report card that they will need to identify to the Chamber as to their commitment to each pillar and also a timeline so like the other political parties, he will also take that to his people to make sure that they can fill that out. And he understands that we will make this report card public so that the public can see really what they have committed to and what are the timelines.”
Mike Rudon
“Now we know that the P.U.P. yesterday launched its social contract with the people and a lot of their issues which they are committing to are issues which came up in the business manifesto. Is it the same with the Prime Minister; the same issues that he is saying we will look into?”
Arturo Vasquez
“Yeah, he didn’t do it generally as the others did it. He picked one or two topics that he says that he knows there are already legislation. For example; the credit bureau…I don’t remember what pillar that was, but the portion of the credit bureau. He says that there is already legislation in place to put that into effect. That is where we are saying that it would be good for businesses to be a part of a credit system whereby you can easily see the credit worthiness of a business. So yes, he did say that there were a few things in their manifesto, but he did not say that blanketly most of it is.”
Mike Rudon
“Was there real discussion on some of what we are hearing are the more critical issues in terms of real governance reform? We are talking about the PAC, the Integrity Commission, the Thirteenth Senator; things like Senate having to look at appointments of the Accountant General, Auditor General and the D.P.P.”
Arturo Vasquez
“Well where the Thirteenth Senator, the Public Accounts Committee and the Integrity Commission are concerned, I think that the Prime Minister has been on the media several times and most recently, at the public forum, where he made the point as to what his opinions are on those things and to be honest; that has not changed.”
