B.S.C.F.A. Regains Positive Outlook on Commercial Agreement Negotiations

The Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association says it is making progress with Belize Sugar Industries Limited in naming a mediator for its ongoing negotiations. Today, we spoke with Alfredo Ortega, the Chairman of the Committee of Management for B.S.C.F.A., who told us that farmers are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Time is now of critical importance with only three weeks left before the proposed start date of the 2022/2023 sugar crop season. Here is what Ortega told us today about his hopes of having a commercial agreement signed by December nineteenth.

Alfredo Ortega

Alfredo Ortega, Chairman, Committee of Management, B.S.C.F.A.

“We have not set into a meeting as yet, but we see that we are moving forward. Hopefully we might have more information with regards to the issue where we are. But, we are moving a little bit and presently at this time that is what I am able to say that we are moving and hope that by next week we have a better reach to coming forward to this situation where we are. Right now we are in correspondents. We haven’t have meeting in person, but we are in correspondents for which we are seeing a better light is opening, so we are moving towards that and it seems that we are reaching that point to what we are looking for so that we can continue our negotiations. As you know, the B.S.C.F.A.  has always been looking forward to this negotiation to continue. Nevertheless we had some hurdles and some setbacks on it, but right now I think that time is what is being pushing the issue. Because, as you have listened BSI has announced a proposed date for the start of crop and I think that is what is really making them move and come together so that we can reach before the date reach to finalize this issue we have.”