Four businesses get development concessions

In this week’s Cabinet meeting, development concessions were approved for four businesses seeking to expand and increase their staff. J.S. Espat Limited will get duty exemptions on specialized equipment and raw materials in order to upgrade its paper processing plant. Tiger Run Farms will be assisted in the expansion of Running W Brand Meats processing, storage and transportation. Chemical Specialties of Belize was awarded a manufacturing concession so they can produce a range of auto care and cleaning products created from citrus by-products. And finally Micko Limited was given a concession to establish and manage a sixteen-unit resort in Dangriga. Cabinet welcomed the news that the Caribbean Development and Inter American Development Banks have approved loans for disaster management projects in Belize City and Belmopan. Over sixty-six million dollars is being made available for new hurricane shelters and the retrofitting of old ones and the construction of four multipurpose buildings in Belmopan. NEMO will also get a new headquarters. Finally, the Central Statistical Office will conduct a family health survey with assistance from the Caribbean Development Bank in November. Information will be gathered on reproductive health, family planning, fertility and HIV/AIDS.