Guatemala and Belize sign trade agreement

It’s easy to be pessimistic about any settlement of Guatemala’s long standing territorial claim against Belize … but that doesn’t mean that relations between the two countries must remain forever frozen. Today, as News Five’s Alyssa noble reports, there was a thaw.

Alyssa Noble, Reporting
The improvement of trade relations between Belize and Guatemala have long been discussed and today that talk was finally translated into action as public and private sector representatives from both countries gathered together to witness the signing of what is called a Partial Scope Agreement.

Eamon Courtnenay, Minister of Foreign Affairs & Trade
?The agreement is historic, it is important and it underscores for our side, our commitment to continued good relations with the government and people of the Republic of Guatemala.?

H.E. Mario Ronaldo Cuevas Quezada, Minister of Economy, Guatemala
?Sin embargo, estoy seguro que este es el inicio de una nueva etapa de nuestra relacion comercial que sera positiva y fructifera para nuestros sectores productivos. (Translation: None the less, I am positive that this is the beginning of a new era. Of a positive trade relationship that will strengthen our productive sectors.)?

According to Emile Mena, President of the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry, today?s signing represents a major opportunity.

Emile Mena, President, Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry
?This partial scope agreement that is being signed is a huge, huge move between Belize and Guatemala to increase trade not only between both countries, but also between Central America and the Caribbean. Guatemala is a country that has grown a lot. I think we need to look at the bigger picture?-Central America and Guatemala.?

As for the British, who for several years have been bunkrolling warmer relations, a measurable benefit, today?s signing was a measurable benefit of their programme of confidence building.

David Spires, Acting High Commissioner, British High Commission ? Belize
?Well for the United Kingdom, this is particularly pleasing. As you know that we have been involved in confidence building measures between the two countries. One of which is the Commercial Linkages program which was designed to encourage trading relations between the two countries. We see this as the fruition of that programme. I would just like to congratulate the two countries in coming together today to sign the agreement. I think it?s a really good, positive step and we are just very pleased to have been a small part of this.?

And in case you?re worried that the agreement will be a Trojan Horse for Guatemala, don?t be, as Courtenay says they?ve taken that into consideration.

Eamon Courtenay
?It recognizes the differences in size of the two economies, and therefore gives more benefit to Belize than it gives to Guatemala. So as we open the doors for trade between the two countries, I think Guatemala understands that Belize is a small, a much smaller economy, a much smaller market and therefore we have asymmetric obligations and preferences in the agreement.?

Alyssa Noble
?So, what?s next??

Eamon Courtenay
?We are now going to take it the House of Representatives and the Senate to approve it. That of course should not be any difficulty. Guatemala expects before the end of this year to be in a position to sign the instrument of ratification. They have to go to Congress and the Executive, as they explained.?

Alyssa Noble reporting for News Five.

The Embassy of Guatemala along with the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry are hosting a three day trade mission at the Radisson to capitalize on the signing of the Partial Scope Agreement.