P.U.P. says G.O.B. is in financial trouble

Not much has been heard of the Opposition of late, but this morning the P.U.P. came out swinging on a number of issues from the floods, to the economy, to the recent spate of firings in the public service. Flanked by deputies Mark Espat and Cordel Hyde and National Campaign Organizer, Eamon Courtenay, P.U.P. leader John Briceño gave the opening salvo at a press conference also attended by executive members and supporters. But first, according to Espat, the government is in financial trouble.

Mark Espat, Area Rep., Albert
“Here for you are some very stubborn economic facts. First, citrus, an industry which generated one hundred and seventeen million dollars last year, may deliver as much as thirty percent less given the dramatic fall in the per box price from eight dollars and forty-eight cents to a little over five dollars. Sugar receipts for 2007-2008 will certainly fall by at least fifteen percent compared to last year from sixty-two million to fifty-three million Belize. The industry will not meet its minimum production target of one point two million tons of sugar cane. This year’s crop may be less than nine hundred tons in fact. 2008-2009 will be worst considering that the thirty percent European Union price cut over three years will take the will take the largest bite. Producers currently spend thirty percent more in producing a banana than they receive for that same banana, even in our preferential market and these preferential markets themselves are threatened by the recent successful appeal by our competitor, Ecuador. As many of you know, the tourism industry is falling. It fell by five percent during the first six months of the year which is the traditional high season, shedding hundred of jobs. The construction industry fell too and other agricultural products will fall precipitously due to the great flood, including rice, corn, beans and fresh vegetables. With all of these startling, staggering facts, we recommend that the government now provide the leadership and the engagement necessary to address this economic downturn.”