Coye: Money Freed Up Can Be Invested in Education and Healthcare

Minister of State Christopher Coye also discussed how Belize will benefit in the long run from the funds that will be saved under the bond buy back.

Christopher Coye, Minister of State, Finance

“Unlike the private sector, the role of government is not to maximize profits or maximize shareholder wealth. It is to enhance or uplift the community, the citizenry and to enable opportunities. So, to the extent that we move away from running deficits, and we are in a position where can invest in public goods, that’s where we can do a lot more. And, in terms of public goods, what are those? Certainly, at least, personally, I would tell you personal from my experience the really only long term investment that will pay off for each and every one of us, and all of us, is in education. It certainly for me is a passion and I’m sure for Minister Fonseca, it is as well, and for this administration. And I think that is an area we can invest heavily in, and I think that one of the pilot projects the minister is looking at, and I think that he has already mentioned, is in piloting in free education on the south side with a longer term view to expand that across the country. Certainly, at high school level. So that is just one example. But then you have also, we also have to look at healthcare, to invest much more into healthcare. And so, as we are in a better fiscal position, we are not active, we are proactive in helping to build a better country and we are doing so through public investment.”