Friends of Belize high level meetings on Capitol Hill
Friends of Belize, it’s the newly formed organization of high profile personalities, seeking to promote foreign investment between Belize and the United States. A FOB delegation is currently in Washington D.C. where they are meeting with senior staff on Capitol Hill and the US Chamber of Commerce on ways to bolster trade relations in light of the weakened economy. On Monday, the group met with United States senators from both sides of the isle, Marco Rubio, a Republican from Florida, and Robert Menendez, a Democrat from New Jersey, who both sit on the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere. According to the FOB website, during the conference the delegation provided critical insight on Belize’s political and economic situation. Following the meeting, former U.S. Ambassador Robert Dieter and former British High Commissioner Philip Priestley spoke on the importance of promoting Belize internationally.
Robert Dieter, Former U.S. Ambassador
Robert Dieter
“This is the first day of a three-day trip here in D.C. to meet with the various members of government as well as some primary organizations such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Inter-American dialogue etc. to try and raise Belize’s profile to try and find out, you know, what those organizations can do to help increase investments in Belize and what Belize can do in order to raise its profile in the United States.”
Philip Priestley
Philip Priestley, Former British High Commissioner
“Both ambassador Dieter and I and other members of the board, the advisory board of Friends of Belize have been here. We launched it officially about a month ago in Belize City and I said at the launch then that this was a dialogue, it’s a two-way conversation, and it’s also about participation. Participation by people of Belize companies in Belize and companies and other institutions in the United States and the purpose of our visit here is to raise that profile of Belize amongst those institutions. In Washington, in this case of course, and that is why we have a series of calls for today and for the next two days and we hope as a result of that that we will not only raise the profile of Belize a little but that we will encourage those people and those institutions to give consideration to Belize and its needs and its requirements when it’s considering its programs in the future.”
Also on the delegation are Lourdes Smith from the Better Business Bureau and Jose Alpuche from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry as well as Attorney Godfrey Smith. Friends of Belize was officially launched on March thirty-first and was created to give a voice to those who want the rest of the world, and in particular, potential investment partners, to know that Belize has all the right ingredients to advance economically and politically.
Call me a cynic; but these FOB are only on Capitol Hill trying to figure out how to completely take over Belize, especially our natural assets; in a most gentle way, of course, and these FOB members are capitalists at heart. I hope am wrong, but many years of research and keen observation have shown me differently in matters as such. I do sincerely hope am wrong, though, for Belize and Belizeans cannot take anymore deceit and being taken advantage of.
FYI: The United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations is a standing committee of the United States Senate. It is charged with leading foreign-policy legislation and debate in the Senate. The Foreign Relations Committee is generally responsible for overseeing (but not administering) and funding foreign aid programs as well as funding, arms sales and training for national allies. The committee is also responsible for holding confirmation hearings for high-level positions in the Department of State. The committee has considered, debated, and reported important treaties and legislation, ranging from the purchase of Alaska in 1867 to the establishment of the United Nations in 1945. It also holds jurisdiction over all diplomatic nominations.[1] Along with the Finance and Judiciary Committees, the Foreign Relations Committee is one of the oldest in the Senate, going back to the initial creation of committees in 1816. Its sister committee in the House of Representatives is the Committee on Foreign Affairs (renamed from International Relations by the 110th Congress in January 2007).
Belize most certainly needs these kinda of friends, since the elected officials of gob are incapable of coming up with a firm action plan to to combat crime and the many inequities, coupled with other socio-economic evils plaguing the jewel.
Monkey see, monkey do. Why do we always first focus on the USA to do everything? What happen to many African countries such as Nigeria, South Africa, and of course the Gulf States in the middle East that are spending trillions of dollars. Do we realize that it could be easier to do business with these countries since they are not over regulated as the United States? What are we doing about China that even the big boys are beating at their door step to get piece of the pie of cash rich China? In reality Belize only need a few good Industries given the size of the available work force, but what does the country have in way of abondant technical shills to support any given industry?
this will do nothing because of the crime situation in belize now we are the biggest muder capital in the world we passed even jamaica and el salvador who in his right mind would want to do business in belize when every time you walk on the street you take your own life in your hands , no one in his right mind would want to come do business in this drug death infested city of belize no one will want to and as long as this no good useless gov and pm are changed nothing will change.
I have awaken,
You should call yourself “I am asleep” since you don’t seem to be thinking before you write. I know it is not you to be blamed for your narrow mind….but the lack of education.
Here we have genuine people trying to get international interest in Belize so that more investments come our way to help develop the country. You remind me of Rod, who always puts his ignorant comments on here…
It is time to wake up and appreciate those who work ardously to attract investment and development opportunities in Belize especially since we have an ever rising crime situation. You see, we even get a story on CNN.
THEY must SEE LOTS OF POTENTIAL IN BELIZE to seem SO COMMITTED…. after all……..
BELIZE IS THE 59th STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
WE could REALLY BENEFIT FROM THIS “if” WE PLAY OUR CARDS RIGHT.
WE NEED POLITICIANS WHO PUT THEIR COUNTRY FIRST!!!
ARE THE SOME OF THE NEW FACES THAT ARE TRYING TO OWN OUR COUNTRY.
These guys FOB are destabilizers of nations. Just try to do something for the benefit of Belizeans but is contrary to US foreign policy of world domination and you will see what happens. They should remain FOB in Washington and leave us alone.
Every youngster would do well to understand that all successful business stands for the reasons for morality.