Government
Ministry of Economic Development and the MIDH Sign MOA for Rural Roads Upgrade
On August 25, 2022, a memorandum of agreement (MOA) was signed between the Ministry of Economic Development (MED) and the Ministry of Infrastructure Development & Housing (MIDH) for the implementation of component two of the Resilient Rural Belize (RRB) program.
Government
OAS Secretary General says Belize and Guatemala need to continue working together
The territorial claim on Belize by Guatemala is far from over as it waits for the International Court of Justice (ICJ) settlement. Along the border dividing both countries, the Organization of American States (OAS) has an office where they monitor activities in the area. OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro arrived in the country on Sunday, August 21st, for a two-day visit. Almagro urged Belize and Guatemala to continue working together and cooperate through the Confidence Building Measures agreed between both countries.
Government
Government Resolves Registry Debt at a Discount
The Government of Belize announced on August 22nd, 2022 that it has reached a discounted settlement for the financial damages payable to Belize International Services Ltd. (BISL). This is a result of the unlawful nationalisation in 2013, by the then UDP Administration, of the ships and companies registries, and the subsequent judgment by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in July 2020 against the government.
Government
Belize Welcomes the Secretary General of OAS on Official Visit
Prime Minister Hon. John Briceño, Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment, met with H.E. Luis Almagro Lemes, Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), who arrived on August 21, 2022, for an official visit to Belize.
Government
Government to request support from the house for supplemental appropriations of $12 million for emergency infrastructure repairs
The tropical wave that started affecting the country on August 17th brought heavy rains across the country. A briefing from Cabinet has now confirmed that the severe weather caused floods resulting in millions in damage in areas of northern and central Belize. Following the passage of the bad weather, the government is requesting $12 million to cover the costs caused by the tropical wave.
Government
Ministry of Agriculture Officers on Technical Exchange Visit in El Salvador
From August 15 to 18, 2022, two officers from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise (MAFSE) participated in a technical exchange visit in El Salvador.
Crime & Violence
U.S.-Belize Partnership Expands Efforts to Combat Human Trafficking
On August 18th, 2022, the U.S. Embassy hosted Belizean anti-trafficking activists from government and civil society for a forum aimed at celebrating significant achievements in the anti-trafficking field as well as building upon the existing action roadmap. U.S. Embassy Belmopan Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Leyla Moses-Ones and visiting representatives from the U.S. Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons made presentations on the State
Government
Enactment of the Belize Agricultural Health Authority Poultry Health Regulations
Under the 11th European Development Fund Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Project: “Strengthening of the Legislative Framework in Belize”, the European Union provided funds for the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA) to develop much-needed regulations. It was agreed that the Poultry Health Regulations would be prioritized. The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise, BAHA and other key stakeholders partnered for the implementation of this project.