Tourism Minister: Carnival project will start soon

And while that was the extent of revelations from Cabinet, Smith, as has become customary, also took questions from the floor on a wide range of topics. When asked by News Five for the status of the proposed Carnival cruise port in Belize City, the Minister of Tourism was upbeat.

Godfrey Smith, Minster of Tourism
?The status is that I have been personally involve in discussions over the past–well about three weeks ago I would say was the last time I was engaged with representatives of Carnival at a fairly high level. I can give you my best judgement, which is that I think the project is going to move ahead and I think it?s going to move ahead sooner rather than later. There were some difficulties which had to be ironed out; most of those were ironed out. In terms of issues with my own ministry, Ministry of Tourism, I am not aware there are any outstanding issues between us and Carnival for this thing to proceed.?

Stewart Krohn, Channel 5 News Director
?Could you give any details as to what things needed ironing out??

Godfrey Smith
?No because they are things that dealt?as you are aware, the project involves local entities and the Carnival people. There were issues that had to be addressed as between the partners to produce this…

Stewart Krohn
?The Supreme Court case is still a factor??

Godfrey Smith
?I am not aware that that?s a factor in this. I?m not aware that it?s a factor.?