Government
Land borders to reopen at the end of May; sea entry remain closed
After more than a year, the Government of Belize will reopen its land borders to welcome foreign tourists. The anticipated reopening will occur in a phased approach, and tourists must be pre-booked with a Gold Standard hotel. The western border with Guatemala and the northern border with Mexico set to reopen on May 31st, while the sea borders in Punta Gorda Town and San Pedro Town will start operating at a different date to be announced.
Government
New Chief Transport Officer Appointed
The Ministry of Public Utilities, Energy and Logistics is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Dian Vasquez as the new Chief Transport Officer in the Department of Transport. Ms. Vasquez holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and master’s degrees from the Australian National University in Diplomacy and Environmental Management and Development. She has experience in policy planning, research, and management.
Government
Belize’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Presents Credentials
H.E. Carlos Fuller, Belize’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), presented his credentials to H.E. António Guterres, the Secretary General of the UN, at the UN headquarters in New York on May 17, 2021.
Government
Ministry of Agriculture Meets with Producers in Spanish Lookout
On May 18, 2021, Servulo Baeza, CEO in the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise, met with members of the Belize Dairy Association in Spanish Lookout, Cayo. Discussions included the objectives of the association, challenges faced in the dairy industry, and possible collaboration between private enterprise and the ministry. CEO Baeza expressed the government’s commitment to farmers and producers as the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise aims to fulfill the Plan Belize target of increasing local production.
Government
Meeting of the Re-activated Belize/Guatemala Joint Commission
The Belize/Guatemala Joint Commission met on May 18th, 2021 at the Radisson Hotel in Belize City. The encounter emanates from a directive by the foreign ministers of both countries at their meeting in March 2021 at the Organization of American States (OAS) Office in the Adjacency Zone to reactivate the work of the Belize/Guatemala Joint Commission.
Environment
Ministry of Natural Resources Advises on Stronger Measures for Quality Improvement in Land Surveying Services
The Ministry of Natural Resources, Petroleum and Mining is committed to taking important steps to manage the physical space in Belize. The ministry is mandated to safeguard methodical land development and benchmark progress in developing an accurate and reliable land administration system.
Business & Economy
Minister of Agriculture Concludes Tour in the Orange Walk District
Hon. Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise, completed a two-day tour of the Orange Walk District on May 14, 2021. The tour was a part of his familiarization visits to the different agriculture communities and areas across the country.
Government
The United Nations Resident Coordinator and UNHCR Call for Inclusion of Refugee Women in Belize’s Women Empowerment
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and the UN Resident Coordinator, Birgit Gerstenberg, during a visit to refugee women, expressed the dire need for further support to achieve gender equality for both people forced to flee and locals.