Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Belize Signs PSA Letter of Intent with the Republic of China (Taiwan)

Share

Belmopan. August 15, 2019. The Government of Belize and the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) (RoC) signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) on August 15th, in Taipei, Taiwan, to engage in the negotiation of a Partial Scope Agreement (PSA) with the objective of formalizing trade relations between the two countries. The LOI resulted from a full week of discussions and engagement with RoC officials and the Belize delegation from the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Commerce.

The LOI clearly lays out the nature of the agreement as being only partial in its scope of product coverage and should conform to the rules of trade under the auspices of the World Trade Organization (WTO). It also recognizes Belize’s obligations to the CARICOM-CSME under the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas including the CSME.

There is also a commitment that the PSA should provide for acceptable benefits to both parties and that its content and context should seek to promote economic development through investment and trade. This should be supported by a targeted agenda for cooperation to be pursued by the RoC to strengthen Belize’s capacity in key areas of product development, food safety and standards.

The LOI also provides for the finalization, signature and ratification of the PSA and is contingent on a successful outcome of the negotiations, in which Belize’s and Taiwan’s constraints, interests, development needs and external obligations are adequately considered and addressed. It is not, however, intended to create any legally binding rights and obligations on the parties.

The Belize delegation was headed by the Honourable Tracy Taegar-Panton, Minister of State with responsibility for Investment, Trade and Commerce. She was accompanied by the Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry, Mr. Duane Belisle; the Director General for Foreign Trade, Mr. Andy Sutherland; and the Executive Director of BELTRAIDE, Dr. Leroy Almendarez.

The Letter of Intent was signed on behalf of the Government of Belize by Hon. Panton, and on behalf of the Government of the RoC by the Honourable Jong-Chin Shen, Minister of Economic Affairs.

Read more

 

Please help support Local Journalism in Belize

For the first time in the history of the island's community newspaper, The San Pedro Sun is appealing to their thousands of readers to help support the paper during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 1991 we have tirelessly provided vital local and national news. Now, more than ever, our community depends on us for trustworthy reporting, but our hard work comes with a cost. We need your support to keep delivering the news you rely on each and every day. Every reader contribution, however big or small, is so valuable. Please support us by making a contribution.

Local News