Car Dealers Association Demand Order of New Vehicles through Belize Auto Zone to be Canceled!

The Belize New Car Dealers Association has harsh words this evening for the Ministry of Health and Wellness. The association is demanding the order for new vehicles made by the ministry through Belize Auto Zone be cancelled immediately and an investigation be launched into what they are terming “irregularities” surrounding it.  The B.N.C.D.A. put out a release today asking why the Ministry of Health and Wellness vehicle tender did not follow proper tender protocols and why the Ministry of Finance was not included in the tender approval process.  They raise the issue of a tender approved on March fourth being reissued to an associate of the minister on March eleventh at what they term a greatly inflated price and question the minister’s relationship with the owner of Auto Zone.  In addition, the car dealers demand to know why the M.O.H.W. decided to buy vehicles from a Guatemalan dealer instead of supporting local Belizean dealers who currently have vehicles in stock in Belize. Finally, they are asking where the foreign exchange for the purchase came from since the Central Bank is currently not approving FOREX permits for vehicle imports.  The Car Dealers Association says their membership includes Belizean companies that are registered as manufacturer authorized dealers of the major automotive brands represented in Belize. Collectively, they employ over three hundred Belizeans, many of whom are currently experiencing the hardship of salary cuts as a result of the COVID pandemic and ensuing economic stagnation.