PM On Cabinet Decision to Hold on Entertainers Tax

John Briceño

Earlier this weekend, the Cabinet announced its decision to defer any fee associated with the Trade License Bill for local entertainers while consultations continue. Cabinet says that in the interim it will conduct further consultations to develop incentives for the creative sector. Earlier this evening, we asked PM Briceño about this latest decision.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“I don’t think it is a matter that we have walked back the Trade License Bill. Remember this has been in the works since 2018 that is not something we came up with. This is the works of the municipalities and obviously when you look at the issue of entertainers it was worded badly. I think it was never the intention of the councils to be able to be taxing entertainers for every single gig they do. It was more looking at international entertainers that they have the ability to be able to tax them. But, minister Mahler when he looked at what he is doing right now in San Pedro where he is bringing in some international entertainers and also hiring a whole slew of young Belizean entertainers to be able to perform in the same stage felt that maybe we should take the opportunity to take a pause when it comes to that tax for local entertainers, because I still believe we should tax international entertainers, but then to see how is it or what kind of support we can give our young entertainers.”