Musa Says Sugar Negotiations Were Tough

Kareem Musa

It took a ministerial sub-committee and in the end, the intervention of Prime Minister John Briceño to eventually lead the parties in the sugar dispute to an agreement. A.S.R/B.S.I. and the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association had reached a stalemate in finding common ground and signing a commercial agreement, slowing down the maximum production capacity of sugar. Cabinet Minister, Kareem Musa weighed in on what he calls a tough negotiation process. He also explained that it took this long to bring the two sides together because of strong mistrust between them.

Kareem Musa, Cabinet Minister
“We were able to narrow down the parameters of dispute. We were able to work out certain kinks but at the end of the day, I think the intervention by the Prime Minister became necessary and eventually, despite all the bad blood and tension and mistrust, it became necessary for a face-to-face meeting and so while it is that the parties might not have wanted to meet face-to-face, I think the Prime Minister’s decision to have them meet face-to-face was absolutely critical and it came at the eleventh hour, but absolutely, the matter was resolved amicably and at least for now everybody seems to be happy.”