Belize Bureau of Standards Warns of Price Gouging

Orlando Habet

Often times, during natural disasters like these, we have recorded cases of price gouging. This common, unscrupulous business practice occurs during or after a natural disaster or national emergency. Earlier today, the Belize Bureau of Standards issued an advisory reminding consumers of the importance of saving receipts as proof of purchase which can serve as a basis to formally report businesses engaged in price gouging. The release says “The bureau remains committed to the protection of consumers within the scope of its legal mandate and assures that it will liaise with other relevant authorities that hold jurisdiction over the respective matter.” During today’s press conference, Minister of Disaster Risk Management Orlando Habet commented on price gouging.

Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development, Climate Change & Disaster Risk Management

“It’s something that has happened before and on other occasions we have heard the Minister of Agriculture Jose Mai speaking about that. We certainly implore these businesses to really not do that because it affects largely the poorer people who really can’t afford it.  And so there are certain items that we know are controlled so they can’t increase the prices on those, but there are other items that will be absolutely necessary for people to take to their shelters or to move from one pace to the other. Even if you want to stay at home and want to stock up on water and food, then sometimes this issue with price gouging occurs. And certainly I can say for sure that cabinet, the government of Belize discourages this type of activity.”

A list of current price-controlled goods can be found at Belize Bureau of Standards website at BBS.gov.bz.