Introducing B.C.C.I.’s New Executive Council

Marissa Longsworth

The biggest private sector organization, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry is celebrating one hundred years this year.  It’s a milestone for the organization that has endured the test of time and now readies itself to face the challenges in a post-COVID Belize.   At its annual general meeting on Thursday night, the B.C.C.I. also introduced its executive council that will serve for the next two years under President Marissa Longsworth.  Some of the members who served last term returned to their posts, but some new members were elected on Thursday night.  The 2020-2022 executive council members are: Vice President of Industry, Allan Reimer; Vice President for Commerce, Marcello Blake; Vice President for Services, Catherine Meighan; Treasurer, Giocomo Sanchez and Secretary, Ashanti Martin. The newly elected members are: William Neal; William Usher; Jody Williams; Raymond Barkman and Carlo Habet.  In her speech, President Marissa Longsworth outlined the chamber’s direction as it navigates these uncertain times created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Marissa Longsworth, President, Belize Chamber of Commerce & Industry

“The B.C.C.I., like any other entity, will have to re-evaluate its own capacity and align ourselves to serve the immediate needs of our members which have inevitably shifted due to the extreme challenges at this time. Then, we will innovate and we will create new programmes, modified services riding on a renewed vision of Belizean business for the next hundredth years, at least. Belize is in the midst of this crisis and the crisis is testing our rescue, recovery and relief abilities both from a public health and fiscal standpoint. We continue to stand firmly in the belief that an environment in which it is easy to do business is one that allows for us to actively partake and partner in the rescue, recovery and relief of the country in any situation. We continue to express grave concerns about and will intensify our efforts to battle serious obstacles including crime, corruption, inefficiency in public sector, and the overly complex and burdensome taxation.”