P.B.L. Responds to G.O.B.’s Decision

We also heard from the C.E.O. of the Port of Belize Limited, Andrew Lane, on A.S.R./B.S.I.’s move to Big Creek Port. Lane told News Five via phone that the government’s decision sets a dangerous precedent.

On the Phone: Andrew Lane, C.E.O., Port of Belize Limited

“The Minister of Labor said that it was A.S.R./B.S.I. right to decide where they take the sugar to.”

Paul Lopez

“And what is your reaction to that?”

On the Phone: Andrew Lane

“My reaction to that is that the government made a decision in 2006 which is still valid and still relevant, and they have elected to not honor an agreement that was clearly made and documented.”

Paul Lopez

“So you are basically in objection to this agreement taken by the government?”

On the Phone: Andrew Lane

“I think it is a very dangerous thing for a government of a country which relies on foreign direct investments to not honor agreements that it has made with enterprise. That ship has sat out there now for twelve days.  She is supposed to load eleven thousand tons of sugar. And, the ship should have been finished by now. And, in twelve days the ship has loaded one thousand tons of sugar. That ship cost BSI thirteen and a half thousand US dollars per day. So, it has incurred one hundred and sixty two thousand US dollars of the moorage cost. And, what that then means is that for every one of the eleven thousand tons of sugar that it can carry there is a cost increase of thirty Belizean dollars per ton, of which sixty five percent will be on the sugar farmers in Orange Walk and Corozal.”