B.S.I.’s Financial Director Chimes in on Performance of S.I.C.B. Advisor, Florencio Marin Sr.

Shawn Chavarria

We also asked Chavarria about the role of Florencio Marin Senior in the negotiation process. As we have reported, Marin was hired by the Government of Belize to be an advisor to the Sugar Industry Control Board in the negotiations.  We asked Chavarria if Marin’s role has resulted in any progress towards finalizing the Commercial Agreement.

Shawn Chavarria, Director of Finance, B.S.I.

“I think Mr. Marin’s role was always to be an advisor, to be there in the industry to liaise between us and the government and the industry bodies. I think he has accomplished that role to be a sort of person you can go to and speak with and be that person to carry the message. Similarly he comes back and said look, this is what they are thinking and this is what we want to do, can you support that. That is his sort of role, an advisor. I think the mediator is a very didfre5rn role because you are looking at someone who understands the Commercial Agreement, the business side of things, some legal experience to see how they can try to get the parties to narrow the gap. Obviously you want that person to be completely independent. In Belize that might be a lot harder to find someone who is detached from the industry, because we know it is highly political. It is sensitive. So you want bring someone who doesn’t have the emotions and that sort of thing right.”

It is expected that the terms of reference for the independent mediator will be finalized by the end of the week.