Government
Ministry of Agriculture Establishes Vegetable Interdiction Team
To combat the issue of contraband in the agriculture sector, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise has established a standing Vegetable Interdiction Team (VIT) comprising officials from various government departments and agencies.
Government
Government of Belize, SIB, and UNICEF Host Data Needs Assessment Workshop for Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey
The Government of Belize, the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB), and UNICEF hosted a Data Needs Assessment Workshop on July 27 and 28 to facilitate information-gathering for the seventh round of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS7).
Environment
The National Climate Change Office, with Support from the Commonwealth Secretariat, Hosts the “Belize Climate Finance Write Shop Series”
The National Climate Change Office within the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management in collaboration with the Commonwealth Secretariat through the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub hosted the “Belize Climate Finance Write Shop Series”.
Government
Ministry of Agriculture Signs MOU Under the Fusarium TR4 Disease Project
On July 24, 2023, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise, the International Regional Organization for Health in Agriculture (OIRSA), the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA), the University of Belize, the Banana Growers Association, and the Republic of China (Taiwan) International Cooperation and Development Fund signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to combat the threat posed by Fusarium wilt Tropical Race 4 (Foc TR4) on banana and plantain crops and other diseases in Belize.
Business & Economy
El Salvador Approves Importation of Belizean Products
Following efforts by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise to open markets for Belizean products in El Salvador, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock of El Salvador has informed the Belize Marketing and Development Corporation (BMDC) that a request for a pest risk analysis (PRA) for four commodities ─ carrot, citrus, onion, and pineapple ─ has been approved.
Government
Hon. Henry Charles Usher Meets with Belizean Youths Selected to Attend World Youth Day 2023
Hon. Henry Charles Usher, Minister of the Public Service, Constitutional and Political Reform and Religious Affairs, met with 10 Belizean youths who will represent Belize at the World Youth Day event in Lisbon, Portugal, in August 2023.
Government
Monitoring of New World Screwworm
The Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA) advises its partners, stakeholders, and the public that it is closely monitoring the outbreak of New World screwworms in Central America. Panama has declared a State of Zoosanitary Emergency and reported cases in cattle, pigs, dogs, and horses. Costa Rica has reported a single case in a dog.
Government
Government to Open Western Border for Cargo Clearance on Saturdays
The Government of Belize announces the opening of the Benque Viejo Border for cargo clearance on Saturdays, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Belize time) effective July 22, 2023. This decision stems from discussions with Belize's National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC) aimed at implementing the 2014 agreement between Belize and Guatemala to extend operating hours at the border.