Government

After consultation with key stakeholders within the Public Transportation System, Cabinet has approved a blended alternative consisting of a fuel subsidy for bus operators and an increase in bus fares to minimise the impact on commuters and ensure the sustainability of the public transport industry in Belize.

Expo Dubai 2020 provided an opportunity for BELTRAIDE to meet and discuss with potential partners and investors as it continues to be the leading government entity in attracting much-needed foreign direct investment to Belize.

On April 1, 2022, the governments of Belize and Nepal, established diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level in New York. Signing on behalf of the Government of Belize was His Excellency Mr. Carlos Fuller, Permanent Representative of Belize to the United Nations, and His Excellency Mr. Amrit Bahadur Rai on behalf of the Government of Nepal.

The Government of Belize is the recipient of two awards presented by Environmental Finance, an online news and analysis service established in 1999 to report on sustainable investment, green finance and people and companies involved in environmental markets. The awards include the Award for Innovation – Bond Structure (Sustainability Bond) and Sustainability Bond of the Year – Sovereign.

As of Friday, April 1st, all remaining COVID-19 restrictions within Belize will be lifted as per the Ministry of Health and Wellness. Restrictions mandating facemask wearing and social distancing will be lifted, and activities such as concerts and large gatherings will be allowed. Night clubs and bars will also be allowed to operate. The only restrictions that remain in place are the requirement for visitors/tourists ages five and above to present proof of immunization or a negative COVID-19 test upon arrival, and Belizeans planning to travel out of the country must be vaccinated.

The most recent shipment of diesel received this week brought with it a further increase in acquisition costs. However, to maintain the pump price at the current level, the government reduced all levies on diesel by 76 cents per gallon. This is in addition to an earlier reduction in taxes of $1.17 that took effect on March 12, 2022. Thus, the total reduction in taxes on diesel this month now stands at $1.93 per gallon.

Roadmap for new, 21st-century business model will enable Bank to expand ambitious, business-friendly climate action, protect biodiversity, increase green finance, and better advance gender equality. New business model goes hand-in-hand with the mandated path for a capital-increase proposal for IDB Invest that will allow the Bank’s private-sector arm to be more responsive to the region’s needs, dramatically scale up private sector investment and boost creation of formal jobs, the details of which will be presented to the Boards of Executive Directors in September. Approval of a new value proposition for the Bank will empower it to better address social issues, strengthen the private sector and combat climate change.

The E-Governance and Digitalization Unit under the Ministry of Public Utilities, Energy, Logistics & E-Governance with the support of the Inter-American Development Bank conducted the first stakeholder workshop for the development of a National Identification Management Strategy and Pilot.