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It is one of the government’s key revenue departments and today, the Government of Belize commemorated International Customs Day. The ceremony this year was held in the banana belt in Independence Village, Stann Creek with the theme: “Scaling Up Customs Digital Transformation by Embracing A Data Culture and Building a Data Ecosystem.” News Five’s Marion […]
Written on January 26, 2022 | Posted in
Economy,
People & Places,
Regional / International |
Comments Off on Customs Departments Celebrates Digital Achievements on International Customs Day
Operations at the Port of Belize have been at a standstill since last Thursday, and now businesses across the country are beginning to feel the effects. Major importers like James Brodies Limited are facing delays. Meanwhile stalled containers and exporters like Marie Sharp and A.S.R./B.S.I. are also in a jam unable to move their products […]
Written on January 25, 2022 | Posted in
Economy,
Featured,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Brodie’s, Marie Sharp Containers Caught up in Strike
Operations at the Port of Belize remain at a standstill. The stevedores continue their industrial action and say it will continue until the company yields to their demand for sugar compensation. While the Port and the stevedores clash, it is the consumers who stand to be most affected with this interruption to the supply chain. […]
Written on January 24, 2022 | Posted in
Economy,
People & Places |
Comments Off on No Goods In or Out: Strike at Port of Belize Continues
We reached out to Belize Port Authority for comment. Major Gilbert Swaso, the Port Commissioner, acknowledged the delay in the supply chain caused by the impasse. First, he apologizes to all those stakeholders affected, including Belizeans who may soon see a shortage of certain imported items at the supermarkets. Major Gilbert Swaso, Port Commissioner, […]
Written on January 24, 2022 | Posted in
Economy,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Four Ships Waiting in Harbor During Blockade
In their statement, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry also noted the current impasse will result in severe impacts to households, firms, and the government. The release highlighted the fact that consumer goods and goods used in local manufacturing account for twenty -eight percent and thirty- eight percent of Belize’s import respectively. This then […]
Written on January 24, 2022 | Posted in
Economy,
People & Places |
Comments Off on B.C.C.I. Says 700 Containers Won’t Reach Destination
The proposal has frequently come up, even under previous City Councils, that the Belize City Council should charge a garbage tax. It is something that the current Mayor, Bernard Wagner, has also said he supports and would move to implement. But, Prime Minister John Briceño told reporters this week that it is something he will […]
Written on January 21, 2022 | Posted in
Economy,
People & Places |
Comments Off on PM Says Not So Fast on Belize City Garbage Tax
The final one percent in social security contributions that was supposed to have taken effect earlier this month was deferred until the new fiscal year, to give people a longer time to prepare for it. But according to the C.E.O. at the Social Security Board, Deborah Ruiz, if those additional deductions from salaries do not […]
Written on January 21, 2022 | Posted in
Economy,
People & Places |
Comments Off on 1% Deferral SSB Could Result In Higher Deductions
C.E.O. Ruiz said that coupled with contribution reform, there are other actuarial proposals for consideration, but those require in-depth discussions. Later this year, S.S.B. will consult with stakeholders on possible measures, such as the ratio that S.S.B. and employers share for employees’ sick benefits. Deborah Ruiz, C.E.O., Social Security Board “One of the things […]
Written on January 21, 2022 | Posted in
Economy,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Other Actuarial Proposals Being Considered On the Table for Discussion
Tourism stakeholders, who make up the Belize Tourism Industry Association, today took part in their thirty-sixth Annual General Meeting. The event was held virtually in tandem with COVID protocols. With chapters in all major destinations across Belize, the chief tourism advocacy group has been lobbying for the betterment of the industry since it formed in […]
Written on January 20, 2022 | Posted in
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People & Places |
Comments Off on B.T.I.A. Looks Forward to 2022
Belize’s tourism industry, which was the first and most severely impacted sector during the pandemic, is rejuvenating to where it was in pre-COVID days, making what Belize offers even more attractive to visitors. Today, on the occasion of the thirty-sixth Annual General Meeting for the Belize Tourism Industry Association, Minister of Tourism, Anthony Mahler, shared […]
Written on January 20, 2022 | Posted in
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People & Places |
Comments Off on New Tourism Programs and Market Expansion in 2022
In Cabinet news, the Minister of Education reported that all schools are being closely monitored for any potential COVID-19 outbreaks. During the first week of classes, the Ministry of Health data confirms three hundred and thirteen cases affecting teachers, and four hundred and fifty six cases among students. The majority, however, had not been involved […]
Written on January 20, 2022 | Posted in
Commentary,
Economy,
Education,
Health,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Cabinet Reviews COVID in Schools, Virtual Trials and Highway Patrols
In August, the Government of Belize announced that it had contracted the services of Smart as a telecom provider for various ministries. At the time, the decision was met with strong objections from different sectors, and then the government conceded that the contract did not go through the Contractor General’s office. Today, Prime Minister Briceño […]
Written on January 19, 2022 | Posted in
Economy,
People & Places,
Politics |
Comments Off on PM: Contractor General Did Review Speednet Contract
A year ago, the various unions were preparing to protest in the streets after negotiations between them and the government broke down and a ten percent pay cut for them became more evident. At the time, the government indicated that for the economy to recover from its fragile state, the pay cut had to remain […]
Written on January 19, 2022 | Posted in
Economy |
Comments Off on Teachers and Public Officers’ Full Pay Could Be Restored Before Three Years
Sosa says that the school security wardens are playing an important role as children transition back into the classrooms during a pandemic. Rafael Sosa, School Security Warden Program Coordinator, Ministry of Education “Given the fact that schools have now reopened and have returned to hybrid learning, it is now more important than ever before […]
Written on January 17, 2022 | Posted in
Economy,
Featured,
People & Places |
Comments Off on School Security Warden Program Important During Pandemic
The number of businesses in the Belize District being affected by COVID19 is alarming. Since the week began, we have been hearing daily reports of businesses closing for sanitization and testing. These range from banks to restaurants. It’s a tell tale sign of how wide spread the infections are in the current COVID19 wave. When […]
Written on January 13, 2022 | Posted in
Economy,
Featured,
People & Places |
Comments Off on 90% of Belize District Businesses Affected By COVID-19
And while it seems as if no one can escape this current wave, there are steps businesses can take to potentially prevent going on complete lockdown. Dr. Melissa Diaz-Musa, Deputy Regional Health Manager, Central Health Region “I think that most businesses that deal with the general public, and have a continuous flow, may have […]
Written on January 13, 2022 | Posted in
Economy,
Featured,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Tips for Keeping Businesses Open: Watch the Socializing and Downtime
What does trust have to do with economics? The Inter-American Development Bank says it is everything. The I.D.B.’s latest report focuses on the lack of trust in Latin America and the Caribbean in post pandemic economic recovery. Their conclusion is that strong trust will power a strong rebound. However, weak levels of trust undermine growth […]
Written on January 13, 2022 | Posted in
Economy,
People & Places |
Comments Off on IDB Report: Higher Levels of Trust in Others Leads to Stronger Recovery
In an effort to encourage residents to pay their property taxes, Citco has been giving discounts to those who pay within the months of January to March. But in that same vein, the council has increased property taxes by one percent this year and some say it cancels out the discount. Today, Mayor Bernard Wagner […]
Written on January 12, 2022 | Posted in
Economy |
Comments Off on City Council Increases Property Tax by One Percent
In 2021, garbage woes came to a head, with the City Hall owing Belize Waste Control millions of dollars for garbage collection services. It’s a perennial issue that has been a torn for consecutive administrations. During the last instance there was intervention from Central Government which managed to kick the can down the road, but […]
Written on January 12, 2022 | Posted in
Economy,
Miscellaneous,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Mayor Wagner: Garbage Bill Still an Unresolved Issue
U.D.P. Chairman Michael Peyrefitte says he is not satisfied with the response given to him by the Prime Minister on the question of the fifteen million dollars approved by Parliament for legal and advisory fees attached to the Blue Bond. In December of 2021, Peyrefitte wrote to the Prime Minister under the Freedom of Information […]
Written on January 12, 2022 | Posted in
Economy,
Politics |
Comments Off on U.D.P. Questions Legal Fees For Blue Bond Approved in House
The Prime Minster did respond to Peyrefitte’s request with a three-page document. A list is provided, but Peyrefitte says he asked for specifics. He requested the details pertaining to how much money was paid to each firm. Michael Peyrefitte, Chairman, U.D.P. “You are supposed to be covered, you good now. In October, they bring […]
Written on January 12, 2022 | Posted in
Economy,
Politics |
Comments Off on Names of Legal Firms Were in Letter from PM
It is no secret that businesses across the country have been severely impacted by the COVID19 pandemic. Going into the third year, business owners across the country continue to brace for impact, shoring up their investments as best as they can. We have all seen the rapid increase in COVID19 cases caused by the Omicron […]
Written on January 11, 2022 | Posted in
Economy,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Labor, Movement, Sick-Out Costs Impact Belizean Businesses
One of the costs to employers and business owners that most people don’t consider is the cost of having an employee out on sick leave. While it is necessary for an employee to isolate once that person has contracted COVID19, what an employer pays for that employee being out of service constitutes a loss. […]
Written on January 11, 2022 | Posted in
Economy,
People & Places |
Comments Off on The Cost of Employees Isolating or Out With COVID
We also asked Senator Herrera for his thoughts on the reopening of the land borders, and how local businesses have been able to stay afloat as a result of the closures. Kevin Herrera, Senator, Business Community “I sympathize with persons who may want to go over the border to do a little shopping and […]
Written on January 11, 2022 | Posted in
Economy,
People & Places,
Regional / International |
Comments Off on Cross Border Shopping and Its Impact on Local Business
While the unions are hailing the signing of the interim commercial agreement between the farmers and the mill at Tower Hill as a successful outcome, members of the Belize Agro-Productive Sector Group have a very different view. Today, the Belize Agro-Productive Sector Group Chairman, Dr. Henry Canton, wrote to Minister of Agriculture Jose Abelaro Mai […]
Written on January 6, 2022 | Posted in
Agriculture,
Economy,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Agro Processors Concerned About Investment Climate
