Importers Must Now Apply for License to Bring in Flour, Toilet Paper

Flour and toilet paper are two items that have been added to the list of items for importation. The Supplies Control Import Export Regulations have been amended via statutory instrument number seventy to reflect the need to now apply for an import license to bring in the flour and toilet paper that are used in every household. The Director of the Belize Bureau of Standards says the new measure will support local producers and preserve jobs.

Jose Trejo, Director, Belize Bureau of Standards

“The department has recently proceeded on making an amendment to the supplies control import/export regulations where it is now going to be a requirement for importers to apply for an import license for toilet paper and flour.  This amendment was made and gazetted on Saturday of last week. The principal thing is that we have to look at it from an economic perspective.  I think the principal rational behind is that the government is looking to preserve employment and livelihoods of every single Belizean engaged in production.  So I think that is principally what drives the need to ensure that we can keep productivity alive and sustain what semblance of production we have left, not to say that we’re in the doldrums in terms of production, but every employment that the government can preserve, it’s seeking to do so, that impacts families and that’s part of the principal rationale.  I think secondly, it is important to remember that we have a trade deficit with some of our major trade partners in North America, United States and Mexico and now Central America and so the issue is that we ensure that we can keep the dollars at home.”