National Trade Negotiation Commission Meets

The National Trade Negotiation Commission convened on Friday under the chairmanship of Ambassador Amalia Mai, C.E.O. in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, and Emile Mena, private sector representative. The commission was updated on the outcome of the second round of ongoing negotiations with Guatemala to expand the Belize-Guatemala Partial Scope Agreement. Preparations are being made for the third round of negotiations scheduled to take place virtually from May ninth to thirteenth. A technical presentation from the Directorate General for Foreign Trade was made, highlighting the potential benefits and challenges of a substantial trade agreement with Mexico. The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry reiterated its position of being pro-trade and called for further studies on negotiations with Mexico. Minister of Foreign Trade, Eamon Courtenay, emphasized the importance of a formal agreement between Mexico and Belize now, especially to expand market access for Belize’s productive sector and to attract investments. He thanked the commission for its mandate to pursue the trade agreement with Mexico. The N.T.N.C. is a tripartite commission of government, private sector, and civil society actors to inform the government’s decision-making process for relevant national trade and trade-related issues, and where appropriate to participate in negotiations.