Business & Economy
Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association signs commercial agreement with the American Sugar Refinery/Belize Sugar Industries
After days of negotiations over the terms of a commercial agreement between the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA) and the American Sugar Refinery (ASR)/Belize Sugar Industries (BSI), the two parties finally inked the new contract on Monday evening, January 8th. The negotiations occurred at the Yo Creek Agricultural Station near Orange Walk Town in northern Belize, where Prime Minister Honourable Dr. John Briceño acted as mediator.
Business & Economy
2023 Tourism Statists show impressive Overnight and Cruise Arrivals
Belize's Tourism Industry has made a remarkable rebound following the Covid-19 pandemic. With the number of overnight tourists steadily increasing each month, 2023 is on track to register over five hundred thousand visitors by the end of the year.
Business & Economy
Sugar shortage affecting San Pedro; contraband to countries in the region to blame
A sugar shortage has been reported in the country and is now affecting customers in San Pedro Town. Many islanders working in the restaurant and pastry sector have noted that this shortage negatively affects their businesses. While there has not been an official note from the Government of Belize addressing the cause of the shortage, the problem is reportedly due to the irregular exportation of sugar to the nearby countries in the region.
Business & Economy
Businesses ticketed for price gouging; almost a dozen violators in San Pedro
To control price gouging across the country, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise created a Price Control Unit (PCU) and has sent inspectors to different municipalities to address non-compliant establishments. In San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, the 11 stores visited by inspectors were ticketed for price control violations. In Caye Caulker, non-compliance was reported at 75% of businesses visited, and inspectors received minimal cooperation from establishments.
Business & Economy
BTB San Pedro’s satellite office re-opens
After being closed for over three years, the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) office branch in San Pedro Town re-opened on Monday, October 30th, during an official ceremony at the Sunset Boardwalk. The anticipated BTB satellite office on the island is now located at the international water taxi terminal at the Sunset Boardwalk. It will be essential for tour operators, tour guides, and other tourism stakeholders, who will now be assisted with their tourism queries and processes on the island without the need to travel to the mainland.
Business & Economy
Seminar in San Pedro aims to expand the market for Pitahaya (Dragon Fruit)
During a two-day seminar (October 25-26) held in San Pedro Town with island stakeholders, the sessions aimed to develop action plans for promoting and expanding a local market for the Pitahaya (Dragon Fruit) harvested in Belize. The workshop was made possible through the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise joint efforts, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Belize Marketing and Development Corporation (BMDC), and the Ministry of Tourism.
Business & Economy
Belize back on the EU tax haven blacklist
On Tuesday, October 17th, the European Union (EU) added the Seychelles, Antigua, Barbuda, and Belize to its tax haven blacklist. It removed the British Virgin Islands, Costa Rica, and the Marshall Islands. The Government of Belize (GOB) rejected this decision by the EU, referring to it as false and unfair in designating the Jewel as a ‘non-cooperative jurisdiction for tax purposes.’
Business & Economy
Hope Haven’s women’s skills training on manicure and pedicure graduates 30 participants
On Friday, October 13th, a graduation ceremony was held at the Sunbreeze Hotel conference room where 30 women were recognized for completing a manicure and pedicure training facilitated by non-profit organization Hope Haven Children’s Home and Empowerment Center in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Taiwan Technical Mission in Belize. The training also helped the participants with marketing skills, budgeting, work ethics, and the best strategies for starting and managing a business establishment.
