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The Mexico-Belize Business virtual roundtable was held today. The online meeting was between public and private sector businesses from both countries and was done through collaboration between the Embassy of Mexico to Belize, the Ministry of Economic Development of Quintana Roo and COPARMEX Quintana Roo, as well as the BELTRAIDE. Among the sectors included were […]
Written on March 5, 2021 | Posted in
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Regional / International |
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They may not be able to sit together in person due to COVID-19, but that is not stopping Belizean and Mexican business counterparts from joining forces. Today, the Embassy of Mexico, COPARMEX Quintana Roo and the Ministry of Economic Development of Quintana Roo announced that the first virtual Business Roundtable Mexico-Belize will be held on […]
Written on February 25, 2021 | Posted in
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Most people only see Belize’s beautiful butterflies one at a time, when they land on a garden flower. But imagine being surrounded by them all the time. Tonight, News Five’s Andrea Polanco has a story about the people in the Stann Creek District who care for these delicate creatures from the time they are eggs […]
Written on February 25, 2021 | Posted in
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Environment,
People & Places |
Comments Off on The Booming Business of Butterflies
The Statistical Institute of Belize has given its report on the state of the Belize economy. During a virtual presentation today, the S.I.B. shared that the economy contracted by thirteen point one percent during the last quarter of 2020. The S.I.B.’s report shows that gross domestic product was down significantly due to a decline of […]
Written on February 24, 2021 | Posted in
Economy |
Comments Off on G.D.P. Down by 13.1% for Last Quarter of 2020
Turning to the trade bulletin, the S.I.B. says that total imports in 2020 stood at one point six billion dollars, but it was still down by almost four hundred million dollars when compared to 2019. Exports for last year were also down by eleven percent or some forty-six million dollars, putting the total value of […]
Written on February 24, 2021 | Posted in
Economy |
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And what’s up with the price of goods and services in Belize? If you thought that prices felt a little steeper for last January, the S.I.B. says that it’s because they were higher by one percent when compared to 2020. Melvin Perez of the S.I.B. breaks down the areas where consumers felt the increases and […]
Written on February 24, 2021 | Posted in
Economy |
Comments Off on Inflation Rate is Up by 1%
Belizeans who had been hoping the price of gas might not keep rising will be disappointed tonight. The Ministry of Finance has announced the pump price of three fuel products will change on Thursday. Premium gasoline will jump by fifty-one cents from nine dollars and eighty-nine cents to ten dollars and forty cents per gallon. Kerosene […]
Written on February 24, 2021 | Posted in
Economy |
Comments Off on Fuel Prices Go Up at the Pumps
After almost a year of inactivity, the Corozal Free Zone was reopened to business on February first. That’s because a raft of new measures was put in place to ensure that the potential spread of COVID-19 was kept at an extreme minimum. Even with all things in place, however, the customs-free shopping area is still […]
Written on February 24, 2021 | Posted in
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People & Places |
Comments Off on Twenty Percent of Consumer Traffic at CFZ after Reopening
A new board of directors for Belize Telemedia Limited was constituted in December of last year with former business senator Mark Lizarraga at its helm. Over the weekend, the telecoms company hosted a virtual gathering of its shareholders where an annual report was presented on its finances. The numbers are grim, to say the least. […]
Written on February 22, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on $2.5M in Profits for B.T.L. in 2020 is a Paltry Sum
Today at the Biltmore Plaza in Belize City, Prime Minister John Briceño along with his C.E.O. Narda Garcia and Minister of State, Christopher Coye as well as Tourism Minister Anthony Mahler met with stakeholders from the agro-productive sector. It is part of the government’s ongoing budget consultations. While with Minister Mahler, he reflected on how […]
Written on February 19, 2021 | Posted in
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Barranco is the southernmost coastal village in Belize. Its name is often synonymous with two of Belize’s greatest musical artists, Andy Palacio and Paul Nabor, born and raised there. But the one hundred and fifty people who live there now aren’t musicians. Instead, they want access to logging permits and a foothold in Belize’s logging […]
Written on February 18, 2021 | Posted in
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Environment,
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This afternoon, the Ministry of Human Development, Families and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs announced the return of the COVID-19 Relief Programme, but this time under the name, Belize COVID-19 Cash Transfer Program. The ministry has partnered with the National Bank of Belize Limited, Digi and the Belize Social Investment Fund to provide short-term emergency cash to […]
Written on February 16, 2021 | Posted in
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Health,
People & Places |
Comments Off on G.O.B. to Launch Belize COVID-19 Cash Transfer Program
Government ministers met with the National Trade Union Congress of Belize as part of its budget consultations. The discussions were led by Deputy Prime Minister Cordel Hyde, accompanied by Education Minister Francis Fonseca, and Minister of the Public Service Henry Charles Usher. President Luke Martinez and members Ella Waight, Garry Yearwood, Timothy Dami, and Hubert […]
Written on February 12, 2021 | Posted in
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The government continued budget consultations today, preparing for the presentation of the budget in March. Today, a team of high-level ministers met with the Belize National Teachers Union. Deputy Prime Minister Cordel Hyde and Ministers Francis Fonseca and Henry Charles Usher sat down with B.N.T.U. National President Senator Elena Smith and members of the executive. […]
Written on February 11, 2021 | Posted in
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National President of the Belize National Teachers Union Senator Elena Smith says that the meeting was cordial. Smith says the government was open to suggestions. However, they did not discuss the matter of a wage cut. Senator Elena Smith, National President, B.N.T.U. “The minister presented to us the situation with the country, what is […]
Written on February 11, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on B.N.T.U. Says Meeting was Cordial
Following today’s budget consultation with the B.N.T.U., Deputy PM Cordel Hyde and Ministers Francis Fonseca and Henry Charles Usher were asked if cabinet ministers received a ten percent salary cut. Prime Minister John Briceño made that announcement in December 2020, but in a recent interview with the media, the P.S.U.’s first vice president Dean Flowers […]
Written on February 11, 2021 | Posted in
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Earlier this week, we told you about the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s letter to Prime Minister Briceño. The B.C.C.I. wrote PM Briceño to share their concerns and recommendations regarding wage cuts in the public service. Some have expressed that the more considerable problem is that a wage cut can have a ripple effect […]
Written on February 11, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on B.C.C.I. Says There Are Lot More Questions
Another round of budget consultation was held today in Belmopan with members of the Public Service Union. Deputy Prime Minister Cordel Hyde, along with cabinet ministers Francis Fonseca and Henry Charles Usher, represented the government and were tasked with discussing the current financial state. The meeting’s purpose was to find common ground on developing a […]
Written on February 10, 2021 | Posted in
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Also weighing on the much-debated wage cut is the Belize Chamber and Commerce and Industry. The Chamber wrote to Prime Minister John Briceño and shared concerns about whether or not G.O.B. should execute a public sector wage cut. In the letter, the Chamber recommends that if the government decides to implement a wage cut, they […]
Written on February 10, 2021 | Posted in
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People & Places |
Comments Off on PM Briceño is Open to Dialogue with B.C.C.I.
The Belize Chamber and Commerce and Industry has written to Prime Minister John Briceño regarding budget consultations. The letter dated February eighth expresses the Chambers’ appreciation to be included in the budget consultations. One of the foremost concerns expressed by the Chamber is whether or not the Government of Belize should execute a public sector […]
Written on February 9, 2021 | Posted in
Economy |
Comments Off on Should G.O.B. Execute a Public Sector Wage Cut?
On Friday, Cayo South Area Representative and the Minister of Infrastructure Development and Housing Julius Espat made revelations into Belize Infrastructure Limited’s inner workings. The Barrow administration created BIL, and on Friday, Minister Espat alleged that BIL was a vehicle used for the “misappropriation of public monies without public scrutiny.” According to Minister Espat, an […]
Written on February 8, 2021 | Posted in
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Politics |
Comments Off on Minister Espat says Kill BIL!
This week is a critical week for the Briceño administration as they head into budget consultations with the unions. The past and new administrations have had to borrow one million dollars a day to keep on paying the staggering public sector wage bill. At the same time, the Briceño administration has publicly stated that they […]
Written on February 8, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on G.O.B. Did Not Propose Salary Cut
And with the debate on wage reductions now in the public discourse, following versions one and two of the Belize Business Bureau letter, the Public Service Union expressed their concern about the possible wage reduction. The unions will be participating in a budget consultation meeting with the Government of Belize this Wednesday. According to a […]
Written on February 8, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Unions Meet with Executive Ahead of Budget Consultation
As a part of cutting that wage bill, all ministers of government are on a ten percent salary cut. Today, during the Open Your Eyes Morning Show, Minister of Infrastructure Julius Espat shared his personal views on reducing the wage bill. Julius Espat, Minister of Infrastructure “I don’t think anybody wants to be in […]
Written on February 8, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Minister Julius Espat on Recommended Salary Cuts
The National Trade Congress of Belize will be meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Cordel Hyde, Education Minister Francis Fonseca, and the Public Service, Constitutional and Political Reform Henry Usher for a budget consultation. The meeting is scheduled to take place on Friday as part of the Briceño Administration’s consultations with different stakeholders ahead of March’s […]
Written on February 8, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on G.O.B.’s Budget Consultations Continue
