Government
Minister Eamon Courtenay Attends Extraordinary Meeting between Ministers of Foreign Affairs of SICA and UN High Commissioner for Refugees
Hon. Eamon Courtenay, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, and Immigration, attended the Extraordinary Meeting between Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Central American Integration System (SICA) and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, H.E. Filippo Grandi.
Business & Economy
Analysis of the State of the Nation’s Economy
As the Government of Belize continues its consultations with social partners in the public and private sector, the Ministry of Finance has released the findings of a preliminary analysis into the state of the nation’s economy to date.According to GOB the average income per person (real GDP per capita) has fallen steadily since 2008, from $7,412 in 2008 to $7,040 by 2019, and then plummeting to $5,843 in 2020.
Business & Economy
Budget Consultations Held with Public Service Union
The second in a series of budget consultations for fiscal year 2021/2022 was held on Wednesday, February 10th in Belmopan with members of the Public Service Union (PSU). The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the current financial state of affairs and to seek to find common ground on the development of a sustainable, practical and equitable homegrown plan for economic recovery.
Government
Former PM Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow among those summoned by the Commission of Inquiry for the sale of GOB assets
A new commission to investigate government assets' sale before the 2020 general elections were sworn in on February 1st. The hearings' commencement will see former prime minister Right Honourable Dean Barrow, Financial Secretary Joseph Waight, and head of the Vehicle Care Unit Ruperto Vicente, answering the alleged irregularities.
Government
Dr. Giovanni Solorzano takes the reins of the National AIDS Commission
San Pedro’s very own Dr. Giovanni Solorzano is the new Chairperson of the National AIDS Commission (NAC) and Country Coordinating Mechanism. The Office of the Prime Minister appointed Dr. Solorzano, replacing the previous Chairperson, Laura Tucker-Longsworth.
Government
Foreign Minister Meets with UNICEF Representative to Belize
Senator Hon. Eamon Courtenay, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, and Immigration, received a courtesy visit from Ms. Alison Parker, UNICEF Representative for Belize, on February 3, 2021. Ms. Parker shared an overview of UNICEF’s priorities and support activities in Belize, including the organization’s birth registration campaign and ongoing COVID-19 related assistance.
Community and Society
Increased Access to Information and Services through Expanded Migrant Hubs
OM signed Implementation Agreements to partner with The Child Development Foundation of Belmopan, Belize Red Cross in San Ignacio, and Humana People to People in Bella Vista to operate the Migrant Hubs in their communities to provide critical services and information.
Government
Foreign Minister Represents Belize at CARICOM’s 89th Special Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development
Senator Hon. Eamon Courtenay, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Immigration, led Belize’s delegation at the 89th Special Ministerial Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) on February 4, 2021, via videoconference. The meeting focused on executing a previous decision of COTED which requires CARICOM to establish a comprehensive monitoring mechanism for all sugars imported into the CARICOM market.