Cabinet Sets Fuel Cap and Subsidies for Buses and Tour Operators

In this week’s Cabinet meeting, chaired by the Prime Minister John Briceño, fuel relief measures were approved. These include a cap on diesel and regular gasoline pump prices per gallon at thirteen dollars and forty-one cents and thirteen dollars and fifty cents, respectively. This cap will be supported through a fuel price stabilization fund to be established by the government with the Central Bank of Belize. Government has already reduced excise taxes by fifty-seven percent. In addition, Cabinet approved a fuel subsidy of ninety-one cents per gallon for eligible bus operators for a period of up to six months and tour operators will receive a fuel subsidy jointly funded by the Government of Belize and the Belize Tourism Board in the sum of one point five million dollars for a period of up to six months. In terms of natural resource management, the Forestry Department will amend the boundaries of the Sibun Forest Reserve; repeal the Statutory Instruments declaring portions of Mango Creek Grant Forest Reserves; amend the boundaries of the Melinda National Park; hand over thirty-six acres to the Stann Creek ITVET for conservation purposes; and amend the Machaca Forest Reserve, excising five hundred acres for community expansion. Cabinet received an update from the Minister responsible for Immigration informing that the 2022 Amnesty will begin on the second of August and conclude on the thirty-first of May in 2023. Finally, Cabinet wishes all Belizeans a blessed and happy Easter and urges extra caution and safety over the busy weekend travels.