On Thursday, June 10, 2021, Hon. Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise, accompanied by CEO Servulo Baeza and technical staff of the ministry, met with the Belize Agro-Productive Sector (BAS) Group in Belmopan.
The purpose of the meeting was to establish collaboration and maintain constructive dialogue between the ministry and the agricultural productive sector as well as enhancing synergies at the enterprise level by identifying and cultivating market opportunities and formulating policy for an improved sustainable and resilient business environment. One of the topics discussed was the compatibility of agriculture with forestry and conservation, all of which should be able to generate revenue for Belize and Belizeans.
The BAS Group was first established in 2000 as a government and public sector collaboration, which then transitioned into a private business organization before 2004. The group advocates for an environment conducive to continued investment in the sector. This includes foreign direct investment thus contributing to broader and sustained national economic strength, as well as compliance with Belizean commercial and constitutional principles and laws and protection of the public interest. Its members include the Belize Grain Growers Association, the Belize Livestock Producers’ Association, the Banana Growers Association, the Belize Poultry Association, both citrus associations, independent producers and exporters, among others.