Aldo Salazar Says Belize is Better Off Compared to Caribbean Neighbours

Aldo Salazar

Responding for the Government, Senator Aldo Salazar made the point that Belize is in the same boat as the rest of the region, where Jamaica passed massive tax increases and Barbados and Trinidad are contemplating similar drastic measures. The Prime Minister had issued a challenge to at least one Caribbean leader to come see how Belize is addressing the issues, and Salazar followed that lead today, quoting a report that examines the critical issues being faced by Caribbean countries.

Aldo Salazar, U.D.P. Senator

“The Opposition would have Belizeans believe that our lean times are the result of our policies – what I’ve termed as the ‘blame Barrow’ propaganda. The reality is, however, that these issues are not indigenous to Belize, but in fact they afflict our entire sub-region and the region on a whole. These are indeed difficult times for our Caribbean economies – this is no secret, except perhaps to some in the Opposition. Mr. President, from as early as February twentieth, 2013, the I.M.F. published a report entitled “Caribbean Small States – Challenges of High Debt and Low Growth.” The paper examined in some detail the many challenges that the countries in our region face and concluded that, and I quote, “Many Caribbean small states are at a critical juncture and bold strategies to address the challenges are essential. This paper highlighted the major problems that need to be tackled— high debt, low growth, mitigation of vulnerabilities and strengthening financial systems. Given the magnitude of the effort required, no single bullet exists to address all of the challenges in the Caribbean.”

We’ll have more from the Senate in Tuesday’s newscast.