Churches Supports Greater Investments in M.S.M.E.’s and Farmers

A fifteen million U.S. dollar loan from the I.D.B. to support Micro Small and Medium Enterprises as well as farmers was the second loan motion from the House of Representatives to be debated at today’s Senate Meeting. While there were objections from the Opposition Senators as to the amount being borrowed, Senator for the Church Alvin Benguche says his recently concluded meetings with sugar cane farmers in Northern Belize have given him an appreciation for the support that this loan motion can offer them.

Alvin Benguche

Alvin Benguche, Church Senator

“I thought that it was very important to have met with them and in a sense for me personally it was very educational. This is why I take note of what is here, to provide direct support for farmer, agricultural groups, and MSME’s, for sustainable, inclusive development in the area of environmentally sustainable and climate resilient farming systems. I thought it is important to point that out because one of the things we were educated on is the fact that the cane farmers and their methods of actually growing cane at this point in time is not sustainable for small farmer. At this point in time it is important, especially in the age of trying to get them to develop and improve cane growing, it would mean for the growth of Belize itself it is important we look at a sustainable way to assist these farmers.”

Kevin Herrera

Kevin Herrera, Business Senator

“Borrowing for the right cause is good. There is nothing wrong with borrowing. What we don’t want to do is borrow for things that are none productive, things that don’t have impact on development, on people, on how we live, how we prepare for the future.”