Earlier this month, the price per gallon of liquefied petroleum gas, butane, increased by thirty-eight cents. The price hike was attributed to a combination of supply issues as stock levels in the United States continue to dwindle in the face of strong external demand. On Tuesday, the Briceño administration introduced a bill to amend the […]
A raft of bills pertaining to existing loans that the Government of Belize has with banks in Taiwan was brought before the House of Representatives on Tuesday. The Briceño administration is seeking to defer payments on these debts in order to save money over a two-year and three-year period, respectively. Prime Minister John Briceño, who […]
While the opposition leader acknowledges the assistance that the Taiwanese government has provided over the years, he says that there is no immediate relief for Belizean motorists across the country. Notwithstanding G.O.B.’s ability to save millions of dollars by staying its payments to the Export/Import Bank and Mega International Commercial Bank, it has been unable […]
The ten percent pay cut also continues to be a contentious issue. Could there be another strike? PSU President Flowers says although the six month review is due, so far they have not heard anything from the Prime Minister. The unions want their full salary restored and are waiting to see if the PM does […]
The Briceno administration is making good on its word, following an announcement on September third, that government would be working to restructure its external indebtedness by retiring all of its U.S. dollar bonds due in 2034. This would bring some finality to Belize’s crushing Super Bond. By entering into an agreement with The Nature Conservancy, […]
The conservation component includes the setting aside of key areas in the country that will be designated for protection and management. A majority of those areas, according to Prime Minister Briceno, fall within the Bacalar Chico National Park near northern Ambergris Caye. Prime Minister John Briceno “The new areas to be designated by Belize […]
The Briceno administration, after having introduced a new budget for the fiscal year 2021 at the end of March, has tabled a bill that would make way for an act to appropriate additional sums of money for use within the existing financial calendar. It was the first of two proposed laws described as General Revenue […]
Prime Minister John Briceno explains that the need for additional monies arises from the previous administration not adjusting for the decline in revenue during the 2020 fiscal year. As for the so-called sparse details that were presented with the first supplementary bill, the Minister of Finance castigated the Leader of the Opposition for those comments. […]
Drivers who use premium gasoline need to prepare themselves for a price hike on Wednesday. The Ministry of Finance announced today that the pump price of premium gasoline will increase by thirty-five cents from $11.76 to $12.11 per gallon. The prices for regular gasoline, kerosene and diesel will remain unchanged. According to GOB, the price change reflects the current demand and supply conditions of crude […]
The Investment Policy and Compliance Unit at the Ministry of Investment is upgrading how business is conducted in Belize. Director of the Unit, Lincoln Blake told News Five today that the new policy looks at much more than just protection for investors and that Belize abides by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force. Lincoln […]
The Investment Policy amendments presented today are timely as Belize’s first Investment Summit is scheduled to begin in just two weeks in San Pedro. That event is expected to draw interest from investors not only from Belize, but also from the region. Lincoln Blake, Dir., Investment Policy & Compliance Unit “Belize needs a push […]
This week during Coastal Awareness Week there is a series of activities, including virtual sessions and panel discussions. Included among these was a session on the Ministry of Blue Economy, which is the first for the region. The mission is to have a productive, resilient and vibrant blue economy in Belize that is contributing substantially […]
UN Sustainable Development Goal number fourteen entitled “Life Below Water” speaks to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and the marine resources for sustainable development. A recent report shows that more needs to be done to protect marine resources. But there are many challenges. Marine pollution, port and shipping sustainability are among the issues […]
Following the press conference, the NGO Coalition provided us with a timeline of the Stake Bank causeway. According to the coalition’s reports, an ECP was granted to Stake Bank in 2013, with approval for the causeways. They found, however, that the 2013 ECP approval was valid for only one year. They also noted that approval […]
According to Manzanero, about eight hundred pounds, or two thousand two hundred Belize dollars, will be given to both organizations which will be funnelled into community programs along the border. On the Phone: Rafael Manzanero, Executive Director, FCD “That will be separated or shared by both between Balam and FCD and we will be […]
But can the government afford to hire new directors? The Prime Minister has said that the government is broke and earlier this year, all public officers and teachers were given a salary cut and increment freeze. P.S.U. President Dean Flowers does not believe that the Briceño administration is serious about addressing the high wage bill. […]
Oceana in Belize released its 2020 report on the state of Belize’s fisheries on Thursday. It’s a hundred and seventy-two page document that lays out the challenges of the country’s marine sector, as well as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the livelihoods of fisher folk and other industry stakeholders. With a steady decline […]
According to Noble-Carnegie, the purpose of the report is to consolidate information on the fisheries sector, making it easier to access data for research. Alyssa Noble-Carnegie, Communications Director, Oceana “Any information that’s provided on any of these fisheries we feel is absolutely helpful because as much as we can make decisions and our management […]
Public officers remain on a ten percent salary cut and increment freeze, which was implemented earlier this year. With current financial constraints, can the Briceño administration afford two new directors? Here’s how Minister Henry Charles Usher responded. Henry Charles Usher, Minister of Public Service, Constitutional & Political Reform “In terms of the efficiencies that […]
The economic value of land, particularly in the context of the sale of prime properties in coastal communities such as Hopkins and Seine Bight, was also part of the panel discussion. Dr. Philip Castillo, a development economist, weighed in on the issue from the perspective of the National Garifuna Council assisting elder land owners, those […]
It’s been almost a year since the P.U.P. took office in central government and the Minister of Public Service, Constitutional and Political Reform was asked where his ministry is in terms of short-term and long-term goals. More specifically, Minister Henry Charles Usher was asked to give a report card on his ministry. He says that […]
The National Bank has launched an outreach campaign to meet with potential customers in their own communities. The first stop this week was in Dangriga. Area Representative Louis Zabanneh says it was a productive meeting with members of the constituency, providing an opportunity for small and micro businesses to get the information they need to […]
Jacito Learns to Save – it’s a new publication, a children’s book authored by former Chief Education Officer Doctor Carol Babb. The book was officially launched today. While it is primarily for children up to eight years old, it can be used to teach anyone about the importance of saving. Financial literacy has long been […]
Six out of every ten Belizeans are poor. That is the statistic that came out during a recent statement made by Prime Minister John Briceño at the United Nation General Assembly back in September. The glaring statistic, including joblessness and the country’s economic state was further devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Here’s that excerpt from […]
Cabinet today issued a three page statement on the cruise sector and port developments. The statement speaks to the Port of Magical Belize project, and the Port of Belize’s proposed cruise terminal. As it relates to Port of Magical Belize, the release says the project has received environmental approval, subject to a strict and detailed […]
