Brace up, because the first order of business in the New Year is an increase in the cost of electricity beginning, January first, 2019. If approved, it will be the second increase in six months. This Monday, B.E.L. wrote to the Public Utilities Commission proposing to increase rates to forty-one point fifty cents per kilowatt […]
The People’s United Party calls the hike a shameful act of duplicity on the part of both the Government of Belize and the state-owned B.E.L. A release states that just months ago, B.E.L. requested an increase of seven point one percent in the cost per kilowatt hour, and the P.U.C. approved six point twenty-four percent […]
This coming Saturday, the Belize City Council will be launching its first ever tree lighting ceremony at the Battlefield Park in downtown Belize City. A forty-foot Christmas tree will be erected as part of the rejuvenation plan to bring residents back to the downtown area for their shopping needs. About a month ago, the council […]
The sixth edition of BELTRADE’s Investment magazine was launched this morning with the theme, “Our Green Economy, Your Trade Opportunity.” As the name suggests, the magazine is geared towards sustainable development initiatives. Inside you will find writings from experts on matters relating to responsible business and investment to keep the environment safe. News Five’s Duane […]
Fuel consumers across the country are rejoicing tonight at a decrease in fuel prices. Premium gasoline went down by eighteen cents from eleven dollars and fifty cents to eleven dollars and thirty-two cents. The price for regular fuel dropped by nineteen cents to nine dollars and seventy-six cents. Diesel gasoline took the largest dip; it […]
The Financial Secretary also offered comment about the state of the country’s economy. Earlier this year, an internal memo issued by Joseph Waight was leaked. In that memo, Waight pointedly asks government ministries to cease and desist from looking for new funds because the country’s debt stood at one hundred percent of the gross domestic […]
Belize Trade and Investment Development Service, in collaboration with the European Union, hosted a one-day workshop on financing options available through the Angel Investment methodology. Belize is one of four countries within the SICA region to receive this training that seeks to promote entrepreneurship by teaching participants about the policies related to risk capital from […]
On Monday, the Belize Credit Union League signed a project with the Inter-American Development Bank Lab to boost climate resilience for farmers and fisherfolk through green microfinance in Belize. Under the Caribbean EcoMicro Programme, the League and three of its credit union affiliates will receive technical assistance to design and pilot adaptation finance that will […]
Small and micro business owners converged today in Belize City at the annual entrepreneurship convention. The event provides the sector with information on how to tap into opportunities and grow their businesses. News Five’s Duane Moody reports. Duane Moody, Reporting The fourth annual national entrepreneurship convention 2018 was held at the Biltmore Plaza in […]
Figures were released today in respect of the performance of the economy; they show that the gross domestic product grew by more than three percent and that the cost of living also inched up slightly when compared to the same period last year. Agriculture and the fishing industries contributed to the economic growth while prices […]
Orange Walk Town is known for its tacos and tacos lovers from across the country can attest that the tacos of ‘Shuga City’ are the best. This is why Dillon Jones decided to create a festival around tacos eight years ago. On Sunday, the annual tacos festival took place at the Banquitas House of Culture […]
In October, the Caribbean Court of Justice ordered the Government of Belize to repay businessman David Gegg more than half a million dollars. Gegg is the owner of Cruise Solutions Limited and Discovery Expeditions Limited, two companies which initiated a legal case against the government with respect to taxation. Gegg requested the C.C.J. to determine […]
BELTRAIDE held the final pitch for its Business Hackathon today in Belize City. Three four-member teams of I.C.T. professionals and students are the finalists having competed against other teams to present a solution to a problem that people experience in their daily lives. The problem they are hoping to solve is how to use technology […]
‘tis the season for giving and while Belizeans across the country are preparing their annual wish list, government has also put together its budget for the Christmas Cheer program. This year, a sum of six hundred and fifty thousand dollars has been earmarked as funds to be used for social assistance across all thirty-one constituencies. […]
The Belize Training and Employment Centre, BTEC, was created to prepare individuals with skills in different disciplines so as to provide them a higher chance of being employed. Today, forty five men and women were recognized for completing a three week training course in housekeeping, waiting and bartending. But besides learning soft and technical skills, […]
Belize City Mayor Bernard Wagner announced today that the council has been able to collect significantly more income due to the council’s efficiency in revenue collection, hard stance against political ‘hand outs’ and the determination to meet all bills on time. The Belize City Council hosted the media this morning to present its first eight-month […]
Thinking of a business idea, creating a business plan and transforming that plan into a real and viable business can be difficult to successfully accomplish. With the aim to create young entrepreneurs across the country, BETRAIDE kicked off its Entrepreneurship Road Show for its National Entrepreneurship Month. The aim is to create business owners rather […]
The Belize City Council partnered with the Global Entrepreneurship Network to host a Women’s Empowerment and Leadership session to help build the capacity of female entrepreneurs. It is part of a bigger project by the City Council to work with local businesses to establish sustainable micro, small and medium-size enterprises. Councillor Javier Castellanos says that […]
The Global Entrepreneurship Network works along with men, women and children and fosters entrepreneurial skills. The session also featured several successful career women such as Attorney Margaret McKenzie and Carpe Diem’s Crystal Samos. In her presentation, Samos notes that business is personal if an entrepreneur wants to be successful in providing goods and services. These […]
City Hall has been looking for creative ways to generate income and pay its bills. The council inherited huge bills, some directly related to electioneering in the elections of March 2018. The mayor and his deputy have developed payment plans to clear off debts as well as tighten up on collections. But the cost to […]
Since taking office earlier this year, the Council has had to deal with unbudgeted expenses relating to the movement of staff. Some moved on others were left go. But the Deputy Mayor says they have put in systems to buffer the tight months. Oscar Arnold, Deputy Mayor, Belize City Council “Being a responsible council […]
The business of cultivating land, producing crops and raising livestock is also a factor in the improved economic performance, but agriculture continues to experience its share of ups and downs, with the struggling banana industry poised for a rebound. PM Barrow says that embattled businessman John Zabaneh has leased farmland to a Chinese company which […]
There has been a great deal of concern from business owners in the north who are fearful that a pending change of economic activity in neighboring Mexico will adversely affect their bottom line on this side of the Belize/Mexico Border. Not only has PM Barrow gone on record to say that Chetumal will not become […]
The PM says that there is a new master plan for the Commercial Free Zone in Corozal which will be rolled out in the coming months to revamp economic activity in the Corozal District, with exemptions being made for businesses willing to relocate to the CFZ. Government is also going to be boosting tourism activities […]
Government will be spending millions of dollars on infrastructural projects across the country, including ninety million dollars on the Caracol Road. Tourism is the main driver of the economy and continues with record breaking number of arrivals. Citrus is on the way to recovery and the sugar industry is seeking I.D.B. investment loan funds to […]
