Chamber, Unions Say Lower Fuel Taxes

Can more be done to stabilize and reduce fuel prices? Despite the best promises of Prime Minister Dean Barrow after a series of cruel spikes between August and early October, prices have only returned to the pre-spike levels. Two weeks ago, Financial Secretary Joseph Waight informed that prices would be stable and only go down further depending on world activities. But both the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the National Trade Union Congress of Belize say the real culprit are the high taxes and acquisition costs for fuel and their leaders told us that this needs to be attacked by the government to benefit all Belizeans.

Floyd Neal

Floyd Neal, President, National Trade Union Congress of Belize

“We do buy to an extent, that that is beyond our control. However, we would encourage the Government of Belize to take less of a tax bite, so that at the end of the day Belizean workers could get some relief. So I think there is room for Government to reduce the amount of taxes that it pays on fuel, so that all Belizeans benefit and pay less at the pump.”

Kim Aikman

Kim Aikman, C.E.O., Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry

“We need to really look at our acquisition cost and where we get it from. And whenever fuel prices go up, every single product and service increases.  That’s a given.”