Mahler Says New Legislation will Replace Definitive Agreement

Anthony Mahler

Tourism Minister Anthony Mahler, along with Minister of State Chris Coye, has been assigned to renegotiating a more favorable agreement for all parties involved in the development of Port of Magical Belize.  While the Definitive Agreement has been rubbished, Mahler told reporters over the weekend that a legislation is being considered that will, “guide investments of that sort”.

Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism

“There was a Definitive Agreement, that has been torn up.  There is no Definitive Agreement again, we are going to create a piece of legislation that creates an enabling environment for any investor at that level to get certain concessions from the government.  It happens all over the world.  What I know is that we need a docking facility in Belize City and it is important that we drive the process forward in transparency and accountability to the Belizean people and that’s what we’re doing.”

Reporter

“Do you estimate the timeline for restructuring the Definitive Agreement that will be presented to Portico?”

Anthony Mahler

“But you’re asking me a question when I told you that the Definitive Agreement has been torn up.”

Reporter

“A new one.”

Anthony Mahler

“So there’s not, I don’t think there’s going to be a Definitive Agreement.  There’s just going to be a piece of legislation that will guide investments of that sort.”

Paul Lopez

“How will conversations with Portico and investors interested in that project be geared, or how will that conversation move forward without a Definitive Agreement.  What will that conversation look like?”

Anthony Mahler

“You have to create an enabling environment.  I will say this,  that from the information that I have, that the partners in that investment have said that they are willing to tear up the Definitive Agreement as well.”