Pushing for Economic Growth: National Trade Negotiating Commission Gets Underway
Just last week, cabinet approved the reconvening of the National Trade Negotiating Commission, and by today, they were already meeting with representatives from the business sector and civil society. News Five’s Paul Lopez was at the launch of the National Trade Negotiating Commission which aims to change the trade deficit into a trade surplus.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
Seated around these tables are representatives from diverse organizations, but all are invested in seeing the economy grow. Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ramon Cervantes, outlined the role of the National Trade Negotiating Commission.
Ramon Cervantes
Ramon Cervantes, Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
“The role is more of a consultative mechanism and a vehicle through which we invite stake holders in the economy to participate in the trade agreements. We act as a facilitator to promote, our products, our business and promote exports. It is for that function. We try to make it as broad as practically possible. There is still room. We missed some sectors, they are always welcome. The idea is to promote trade for the Benefit of Belizean. They contact the ministry of Foreign Trade and Foreign Affairs. We start liaising. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade, they are very knowledgeable in their area. And of course, they will dialogue together with the interested parties to make sure that everything is in order based on their knowledge of other countries and trade on a whole, and then carry out the process.”
Paul Lopez
“Who are the stakeholders we have here today, or the products we have?”
Ramon Cervantes
“They are the business sector organization, civil society, the chamber of commerce and the poultry association, the Belize livestock producers, a diverse group of organization representing the productive and services sector.”
The end goal is economic growth as Belize faces austere times. The committee is working to realize this growth in the shortest time possible.
Ramon Cervantes
“We are looking at an increase in economic activity and it is export oriented. We have a huge task in front of us to break our balance of payments, balance of trade as close as possible to zero and then to positive.”
Paul Lopez
“Are there timelines we are looking at in terms of getting this trade deficit balanced?”
Ramon Cervantes
“We have to work to achieve our goals as early as quick as possible. Well we hit the ground running and we are trying to build that momentum so that is translates into increased economic activity.”
Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.
