New Trade License Legislation Coming to a Village Near You

Hugo Patt

The Briceño administration’s trade license reform legislation was first introduced in the House of Representatives in May 2022. The legislation was shelved amidst various concerns from parliamentarians. On Friday, the bill was brought back for second and third reading. The legislation seeks to establish a mechanism for village councils to collect trade license fees from businesses within their communities that meet certain criteria.  As it currently stands, businesses operating within rural communities are not required to pay the fee. The government explains that the new regime will boost business development in these villages and strengthen local governing bodies. But, the opposition contends that it’s just another way for the poor to be taxed.

Hugo Patt, Area Representative, Corozal North 

“This trade license bill under Plan Belize is just another tax on the backs of the Belizean people, a tax that is structured in such a way that when it is casted it will pick up everybody. This is a rape and scrape bill. It is going to tax the biggest businesses, the medium and small businesses, but most importantly you guys are going after the peddlers, those people who have to struggle everyday to sell their tarts, panades, tacos, people that have to work today, so that they can eat tomorrow. If they are not able to deliver on their goods today it means that family will not be able to eat tomorrow. There is no consideration on behalf of this administration who are struggling everyday to meet their needs under the hot sun to get something for their family and that lee bit a money unu gwen fah, this is criminal madam speaker.”

Kevin Bernard

Kevin Bernard, Area Representative, Orange Walk East

“I think the member for Corozal North forgot that he was the minister for local governance once and he was also part of the many discussion that led to where we are today. However what was proposed under then would have done what he is talking about. I don’t know if the member is trying to paint a picture of doom and gloom and try to frighten the small mom and pops shop, but if you realize those small mom and pop shop footprint will never reach six hundred square feet, so they will never be taxed or pay a trade license unless you are singing for the big capitalist as you would say. Peddlers use to pay, the trade license act as we speak, and peddlers pay ten dollars every day for each time they appear. This is reducing that to point eight-two cents a day if you calculate it. Get your math right and don’t come here and try to fool the Belizean people. Lets look at Ladyville and Ladyville is a huge thriving village, look at the huge supermarkets going up in those places, you don’t pay a single trad34 license, yet the residence expect the road are fixed, drains cleaned and parks maintained.”