Alone among Belize’s big three agricultural commodities, citrus does not depend on any special trade preferences from Europe. And while times are not particularly good in the industry, orange and grapefruit products remain the Belizean products most likely to survive in the coming dog-eat-dog era of globalisation. As farmers and factory personnel begin to process […]
It was a contract that had all the appearances of a giveaway to Carnival Cruise Lines. But after some hard bargaining by the Minister of Tourism and constant pressure from the Belize Tourism Industry Association and other groups, that agreement has been modified…at least to the point where the more offensive clauses have been removed. […]
While the controversy over the proposed Carnival Cruise Port dominates the public discourse, a look at Belize City Harbour today confirmed that–whether you like it or not–the cruise industry remains big business. No less than four ships anchored today, two from the Norwegian Line and two from Royal Caribbean, carrying a total of close to […]
It does not involve thousands of farmers like the sugar industry, support two processing factories like the citrus industry, or cover the vast acreage of the banana industry. But when it comes to earning money for Belize the growing of shrimp has surpassed them all. With almost ninety-three million dollars in earnings last year, shrimp […]
While negotiations for Government and Carnival Corporation continue to seek compromise on the cruise port contract, the latest statistics indicate that both overnight and cruise tourism are going nowhere but up. According to a Belize Tourism Board release the number of overnight visitors arriving through all ports of entry is up three point three percent […]
The news broke on Friday that the World Trade Organisation had ruled against the European Union on the issue of sugar subsidies. Now that the news has sunk in, Belizeans ranging from farmers to factory executives are beginning to take stock of the situation and plot a unified strategy. We asked Minister of Foreign Trade […]
It’s a complex subject involving the often-arcane rules of international trade, but bottom line is that Belize lost big time when the World Trade Organisation ruled on Friday against the European Union’s system of preferences for ACP sugar. The negative ruling was not unexpected but negotiators had hoped for some softer language on certain parts […]
Belize has joined three other countries, namely Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Brazil in an effort aimed at giving small community groups a chance to co-exist with the larger, better financed interests in the tourism industry. According to officials of the local partner, Programme for Belize, the idea is to show people, particularly those in rural […]
In news from the tourism industry, Hurricane Ivan may have missed Belize, but his journey across the Caribbean still managed to have an impact here. There was some beach erosion and damage to docks in San Pedro and Caye Caulker, and presumably similar effects were felt in the northern atolls. Those who earn a living […]
Summer usually means ?slow season? for Belize?s tourism sector, but figures published today by the Belize Tourism Board might mean that train of thought is ready for a permanent vacation. According to statistics released today by the B.T.B. the number of tourist arrivals at the Phillip Goldson International Airport for the period April to June […]
For most people, pay day is still a week away, and even if you don?t have the extra cash to spend, a trip to the Princess Hotel this weekend might not be a bad thing after all. As News 5?s Patrick Jones explains, Belize?s productive sector will put its best foot forward in an attempt […]
Pay attention to all the press releases and you know that cruise tourism is the fastest growing economic activity in Belize. What you don’t always hear, however, is that behind the scenes it is an arena of high stakes poker with ever changing rules, shifting alliances and enough backstabbing to fill Lord’s Ridge. Today that […]
With a badly needed bond issue still in limbo, Belize?s international credit rating took a hit today, as Standard & Poor?s rating service revised its long term outlook from ?stable? to ?negative?. Reasons given for the caution on Belize?s ?B plus? foreign and ?BB minus? local currency ratings are ?increasing challenges in tightening the government?s […]
Anyone who depends on motorised transport–and eventually that means all of us–took another hit in the wallet today as the price of the latest shipment of petroleum-based fuels rose to record heights. The effect at the gas pump was nothing short of devastating as premium gasoline skyrocketed thirty-two cents to eight dollars and thirty-three cents […]
Infrastructure: roads, bridges, airports, electricity, telephones. It?s the bedrock of national development. Today, as the nation?s latest highway project neared completion, News 5′ Patrick Jones explored the issue of how we can continue to keep ahead of the game. Patrick Jones, Reporting The scenic route, which bypasses Orange Walk Town, will give motorists the option […]
The announcement earlier this week of the marketing breakthrough for Marie Sharp’s hot pepper sauce and other products in the United States is a success story that other local producers are being encouraged to emulate. And while Marie Sharp had to accomplish the feat the old fashioned way, her successors will now have the benefit […]
Her products have been selling in selected gourmet markets in the United States since 1986. But come September Marie Sharp’s hot pepper sauce will be hitting the taste buds of millions of customers in the south-eastern United States. According to Sharp, she has entered into agreements with the major super market chains of Wal-Mart, Winn-Dixie […]
Intelco is not shutting down. That’s the short answer from C.E.O. Juan McKenzie today in response to questions about the financial crisis the telecommunications company is currently experiencing. In a brief conversation this morning, McKenzie told News 5 that executives had secured additional funding for their operations from Panamanian and European investors. The C.E.O. says […]
In the past, we have been known to gently needle the Belize Tourism Board for shouting its good news from the rooftops, but keeping quiet about any developments that hint of negativity. Tonight, we have been proven wrong. Buried in the fifth paragraph of a BTB press release comes word that for the first time […]
Belize’s international credit rating may be in for some trouble. That news comes courtesy of the ratings service Moody’s which announced that it was conducting a review of the country’s status amid concerns that current economic policy could not support the sustainability of increased debt. Such a move, which would increase Belize’s borrowing costs, comes […]
A team of business experts from the Republic of China on Taiwan today met with local business people in Belize City. The half-day seminar dealt with various aspects of trade cooperation between Belize and Taiwan. According to Counsellor Yin-Yih Lee, the participants shared views on how to maximize mutual benefits from local products by applying […]
The recent dispute between union and management at the Tower Hill factory focussed the public’s attention on the sugar industry: a crucial part of our economy that is often ignored by the media. But if you thought that the big news in sugar is labour relations you’d be wrong. Today at a press briefing held […]
But even as far back as sugar’s glory days in the early seventies authoritative voices were calling for reforms in the industry. According to Minister of Agriculture, Servulo Baeza, there were two main reasons for the lack of action. Servulo Baeza, Min. of Agriculture ?The complacency of saying, well you know this thing will come, […]
It may remind viewers of bringing coals to Newcastle or better yet, sand to Sandhill… but it’s true – Belize, the home of some of the world’s most delectable seafood, is now importing fish. But while that development seems like a step backward, the reality is a bit more complicated. Janelle Chanona, Reporting According to […]
It’s the one industry in Belize that is never short of statistics–at least when business is good. This week as a supplement to its regular release on monthly visitor arrivals, the Belize Tourism Board has published its annual collection of facts and figures. And while the sixty-two page booklet may not be everyone’s favourite bedtime […]
