The Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Hon. John Briceño, met in regular session on February 1, 2021.
• The Prime Minister Hon. John Briceño informed Cabinet of the appointment of 11 ambassadors who have been designated to fill bi-lateral and multi-lateral posts abroad. Those designated represent a cross-section of the community and a mix of new and experienced professionals. Notably, 40 percent of the designates are women.
• The Cabinet was appraised of developments to preserve trade preferences with the United Kingdom through the ratification of the CARIFORUM/UK Economic Partnership Agreement which will allow Belize to claim duty-free and quota-free access to the UK market for goods and services. Besides access to traditional goods like bananas and sugar, Government will pursue opportunities for areas of cooperation and private sector investments.
• At the request of the Hon. Oscar Requeña, Minister of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labour and Local Government, Cabinet approved funding for the long overdue rehabilitation of the Sarteneja Village Water System. The funds will be used to retrofit and repair the reverse osmosis system.
• The Cabinet gave its approval for Belize to become a member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA). The ISA is an intergovernmental organization that works to deepen cooperation on renewable energy, specifically solar energy. Belize would join the 84-member alliance and would benefit from funding, technology and expertise to assist in the country’s ability to exploit its potential in solar energy, thereby, allowing for the production of cheaper and cleaner energy.
• The Cabinet was updated on the establishment of a fast-track unit for private sector investment in the Office of the Prime Minister.
• In connection with its commitment to good governance, Cabinet gave its support to introduce a Motion to Amend the Standing Orders for the House of Representatives. This motion will be presented to House of Representatives at its meeting on Friday, February 5, 2021, and seeks, among other things, to reconstitute the Public Accounts Committee to increase its membership from six to nine by the addition of three social partner senators to its membership.
