Hon. Jose Abelardo Mai

Minister of Agriculture, Food Security & Enterprise Visit by President of the Republic of China (Taiwan) National Sheep and Goat Breeding Center at Central Farm

Continued from page 16

April 3, 2023 are being reared by 474 sheep farmers. Those figures mark a sharp increase in comparison to recent years mainly due to the intervention from the Taiwan Government, with first, the Genetic Improvement in Sheep and Goat Project (Phase 1) and now the Breeding Sheep and Goat Production and Guidance System Enhancement Project (Sheep Project Phase II).

The Sheep Barn constructed under the project can accommodate a total of 650 sheep and goats; in addition, it is also well equipped with all the equipment and tools necessary to operate a Sheep and Goat Breeding Program. The project has imported a total of 104 breeding stock of Sheep, including Dorper, Black Belly and Katahdin breeds, as well as Nubian and Boer goats. From these imported genetic stock, we have produced 731 offspring of improved genetic quality that have been sold to the Belizean farmers. What an accomplishment!

In reference to capacity building, a total of 400 sheep and goat farmers have been trained at 32 Sheep and Goat Management Workshops, which have included topics such as feeding management, sheep husbandry, and pasture establishment. There have also been 12 lamb culinary craft workshops, where farmers, restaurateurs, housewives and chefs have gathered to learn how to prepare and cook lamb recipes. The culinary workshops have received great reviews from the Belizean pub - lic.

In remaining steadfast with #plan Belize, our government’s manifesto, the Government of Belize and by extension the Ministry of Agriculture is now embarking on moving the sheep and goat industry further down the value chain of production. To achieve this, the Ministry of Agriculture has once again submitted a project concept to the ICDF Taiwan in Belize for yet another phase of the sheep and goat project. This phase, if approved, madam president, will greatly build on what our great collaboration has achieved thus far; as well, it will enhance our capabilities in marketing, value addition and the continuous capacity building of our deserving farmers.

The possibility of value-adding needs to be established to fetch better prices. Improvements in sheep production would allow the sheep sub-sector to strategically plan production better to meet marketing demands and ensure a sustainable and profitable industry, but we need to ensure that a functional traceability system is in place. We have the raw materials, but we need to work on being globally competitive with our products.

Invitation for Bids

Belize Water Services Limited

Belize

GRT/CF-19538-BL & GRT/MA-19539-BL

Advancing Water Disinfection in Urban & Rural Areas

International Competitive Bidding (ICB) BWSL/BIF-27-2205

1. The Government of Belize has received financing from the Inter-American Development Bank toward the cost of the project “Advancing Water Disinfection in Urban & Rural Areas GRT/CF19538-BL and GRT/MA-19539-BL”, and intends to apply the proceeds of this financing to payments under the Contract for the “supply, installation and commissioning of OSG Disinfection Equipment”.

2. Belize Water Services Limited now invites sealed bids from eligible and qualified bidders for the: a) Supply, install & commission of OSG Disinfection Equipment for Caye Caulker Village- Lot A b) Supply, install & commission of OSG Disinfection Equipment for San Marcos Village- Lot B

Belize National Prayer

Almighty and Eternal God, who through Jesus Christ has revealed Your Glory to all nations, please protect and preserve Belize, our beloved country.

God of might, wisdom and justice, please assist our Belizean government and people with your Holy Spirit of counsel and fortitude.

Let Your light of Your divine wisdom direct their plans and endeavours so that with Your help we may attain our just objectives.

With Your guidance, may all our endeavours tend to peace, social justice, liberty, national happiness, the increase of industry, sobriety and useful knowledge.

We pray, O God of Mercy, for all of us that we may be blessed in the knowledge and sanctified in the observance of Your most holy law, that we may be preserved in union and, in that peace which the world itself cannot give.

And, after enjoying the blessings of this life, please admit us, dear Lord, to that eternal reward that You have prepared for those who love You. Amen.

President Dr. Tsai Ing-Wen, our country and in particular those of us who are involved in agricultural development in Belize, are very grateful for the support we have received from the ROC Technical Mission. The wonderful communication that we have with, and support that we get from, the various Ambassadors to Belize and the various head of the ROC-Technical Missions are comparable to none. For this we are truly grateful, and wish only to see continued strengthening of this mutually beneficial collaboration. I would also like to commend the technical staff of the ICDF, the ROC Mission here in Belize and the Ministry of Agriculture, for all their hard work and determination to see this and other projects through successfully. On behalf of the people and Government of Belize, I once again say, Thank You, Thank You. Xie Xie!

I wish all a pleasant day, and may we all continue basking in the sunshine of the friendship between our two countries.

c) Supply, install & commission of OSG Disinfection Equipment& Filtration System for Crooked Tree Village - Lot C.

3. Bidding will be conducted through the International Competitive Bidding (ICB) procedures specified in the Inter-American Development Bank’s Policies for the Procurement of Goods and Works financed by the Inter-American Development Bank, and is open to all bidders from Eligible Source Countries as defined in the Policies.

4. Interested eligible bidders may obtain an e-copy of bidding document by making a request to the below:

Ervin Flores, Resident Consultant Engineer Belize Water Services Ltd.

7 Central American Blvd. Belize City, Belize.

Email: rce@bwsl.com.bz

5. Bids must be delivered to the address below at or before 2:00 pm, 18th May, 2023. Electronic bidding shall not be permitted. Late bids will be rejected. Bids will be opened physically in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend in person at the address below at 2:15 pm on 18th May, 2023.

6. All bids to be accompanied by a Bid Security, as specified in the bidding document and must be delivered to the address below by 2:00 pm local time on 18th May, 2023

7. The address referred to above is:

Attention:

Ervin Flores, Resident Consultant Engineer

Belize Water Services Limited

7 Central American Blvd.

Belize City Belize