“Made in U.S.A.” is theme of expo
As Belize’s biggest trading partner you wouldn’t think that Uncle Sam would need to do much here in the way of export promotion, particularly in view of the twenty-four seven advertising of U.S. goods on cable TV. But nothing succeeds like excess and today at his country’s second annual Made-in-the-USA exposition, Ambassador Russell Freeman made it clear that Babylon still has plenty to offer Belizeans in the way of goods and services. Patrick Jones reports from the Biltmore Plaza.
Russell Freeman, U.S. Ambassador
“The event is to showcase American products, and particularly to introduce new American products to the Belizean market.”
Patrick Jones, Reporting
The one-day exhibition featured goods and services that carry the “made in the U.S.A.” logo. Official figures show a lopsided deficit in trade between Belize and the States with ninety-one million dollars in exports compared to three hundred and twenty-one point two million in imports. Although the scales of trade already tip heavily in favour of American products, Freeman says it wouldn’t hurt to have more market access.
Russell Freeman
“Well we appreciate the business that Belize does give the Untied States and our products, but again we wanted to show off our new products that maybe Belizeans are not aware of that are available here through their Belizean distributors and retailers.”
One such product that the distributor is hoping will catch on in Belize is the Freedom Filter, designed as an affordable and portable way of making drinking water safe.
Ben Banks, Manager, Freedom Filters
“It’s designed so you can filter water from anywhere you can get it, be it a puddle or river, any place but the sea, because it won’t filter the salt water. It’s designed so it doesn’t need water pressure and it doesn’t need electricity or chemicals to run, and it purifies the water so it’s safe to drink.”
That manufacturers guarantee was enough to convince even Ambassador Freeman to take a sip. Banks says the systems, which sell at between one hundred and fifty and one hundred and seventy-five U.S. dollars each are compact and do not take much to operate.
Patrick Jones
“How safe is the water that comes out of this thing?”
Ben Banks
“The filter itself takes out the E-Coli, giardia, cryptosporidium, cholera and chlorine. So it takes out basically everything, so the water will keep you from getting sick.”
The other products at the exhibition ranged from food and beverages, to real estate services, to home appliances. Freeman says that while Belizean products are at a disadvantage on the U.S. market, the opportunities have just not been tapped.
Russell Freeman
“Our figures show the trade balance is five percent in favour of the Untied States. I think, as Minister Courtenay said, there are some supply problems for Belize in order to have the products to get to the Untied States market, in addition to certain trade barriers that may exist. But Belizeans make terrific products and I think the market in the United States is certainly open to more Belizean products, and I guess, a lot of it depends on salesmanship, marketing and getting the products to the American consumer.”
Agricultural products are at the top of the list of exports to the United States. Patrick Jones, for News 5.
Also addressing the opening was Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, Eamon Courtenay.
And while Ambassador Freeman was in a mood to talk, we couldn’t help but ask him for his comments on recent charges brought in the passport scandal.
Russell Freeman, U.S. Ambassador to Belize
“We believe Belize has taken proper steps this time to bring these people to justice. But we don’t know until it’s over, the investigation has been concluded and there have been indictments made, but they are progressing.”
Patrick Jones
“Are you happy with the rate of progress so far?”
Russell Freeman
“So far, so good. I don’t think it’s over yet. And I think they will continue to investigate this and hopefully to bring to justice people that were involved in the scandal.”
Patrick Jones
“Is it the belief of the U.S. Embassy and the U.S. Government that that scandal has led to unwanted people having access to your country?”
Russell Freeman
“It definitely has. Although we have no specific reports of terrorist activities in the United States as a result of fraudulent passports and citizenships being issued, it does lead to the possibility that that could happen, and that there are people in the United States that couldn’t get there if they had a valid passport from Belize, because of activities of theirs in the past.”
Warrants have been issued for Gabby Affif and Hassan Al Sayed on a number of forgery and money laundering charges. Both men remain outside the country.
