Belize Times July 11, 2021- Cruise Ships are Back

The Belize Times

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THE BELIZE TIMES

11 JUL

2021

Established 1957

11 JULY 2021 | ISSUE NO: 5257

The Truth Shall Make You Free

www.facebook/belizetimes | $1.00

CRUISE SHIPS ARE BACK TOURISM JOBS AS WELL

100,000

Vaccinated Belizeans Lining Up

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Pg. 5

MOST MODERN

Digital Laws in CARICOM Pg. 10

Pg. 8

Pg. 7

Foreign Investment Welcome Progreso Cement brings Jobs and Foreign Exchange

Cannabis Legislation Fixing a Wrong Pg. 5

Partnership benefits Residents Blue Economy, BCC, CS Rep. Hon. Musa, Private Sector

Minister Mai in Chetumal Pg. 10

GOB, $40M SUPPORT FOR ‘RESILIENT RURAL BELIZE’

JULY AND AUGUST | VOTER TRANSFER PERIOD

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11 JUL

THE BELIZE TIMES

CRUISE SHIPS ARE BACK Crossing the Swing Bridge in Belize City and looking towards the Caribbean Sea felt normal again this past July 7th morning. The Vista on the horizon had the familiar blur and unassuming angle. It is a big deal for Belize. It is a definite sign of economic life for the city and the entire country. The 95 percent vaccinated ship is the first to sail off of United States ports, this from Galveston Texas, in 15 months. This first balloons the deal as Belize is one of the port of call choices for this voyage. It is tempting to dub this a ‘maiden post-Covid-19 pandemic voyage’.

But no, the Covid-19 pandemic is still in the middle of war status; this new war is between our health protocols and the deadly coronavirus and its seemingly

endless variants. But we have the worse of Covid-19 cornered. Belize has the solution within it power and we wielded it this past Christmas 2020 when Belizeans braved a Christmas/New Year lockdown to mask by mask straighten the UDP-caused exponential curve which threatened to decimate Belize. Belizeans now have a sort of arrogance—we can deal with Covid whenever we want. We pray that Covid also knows that. Let us not gamble.

Belize is in the middle of a surge which is dwarfed by the November 2020 wave but is still one that statistically can run loose. The John Briceño-led Government of Belize via its Ministry of Health and Tourism headed by Minister Michel Chebat and Minister Anthony Mahler partnered with almost all other Ministries

especially with Minister Kareem Musa’s is grappling with vaccination hesitancy. In an all-out media front, the team is telling Belize let us use July to vaccinate, then, you can relax because you are vaxed. Specifically…Before You Relax; Get Vax! Obviously the Cruise Industry noticed the safety levels of the Belizean product and pointed to Belize months ago. For the jobless and weary tourist sector workers, the sight of the cruise ships on the horizon is a different and deeper breath of fresh air. This is only a cruise ship a week with 70percent capacity but it is a 30 percent cut that Belize is willing to take.

According to USA Today: “Carnival Cruise Line, Carnival Corp.’s flagship line, is once again launching ships with paying passengers from U.S. ports. Carnival Vista departed the Port of Galveston in Texas Saturday afternoon for a weeklong cruise with stops in Mahogany Bay, Honduras; Cozumel, Mexico; and Belize City, Belize. ‘Having our guests on board again is something we’ve been looking forward to for a very long time,” Carnival Vista Captain Andrea Catalani said in a statement Sat-

2021 urday. “Our crew is very excited and will provide them with the incredible Carnival vacation they’ve been so patiently waiting for.’

Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, said in a statement last month that the company chose to operate with vaccinated guests during July in U.S. waters because of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention constraints.

To bypass test cruises and move straight into sailings with paying passengers, 95% of passengers and 95% of crew must be vaccinated, according to the CDC. The rules do not apply in Florida, which has a state law banning businesses from requiring proof of vaccination.

Carnival Cruise Line passengers must complete the final dose of their COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days ahead of sailing, according to the cruise line’s website.

Vaccinated guests are not required to wear a face mask on board a vaccinated Carnival cruise, but masks are required in certain events, such as embarkation and debarkation.”

PR#363 PRESS RELEASE

Cabinet Brief Belmopan. 7th July 2021. 1:25 p.m.

The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Hon. John Briceño, met in regular session on 6th July 2021.

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Cabinet was briefed by Samantha Matute-Tucker, Assistant Solicitor General, in relation to the undertaking of the Government to adopt affirmative measures, in consultation with the Maya people or their representatives, to identify and protect the rights of the Maya customary laws and land tenure.

• Cabinet approved its first fiscal incentive to Caye Chapel Company Limited to develop Caye Chapel into a luxury destination branded as a Four Seasons Resort, including a 100-room hotel that would employ over 400 Belizeans. Additionally, over 200 Belizeans are expected to be employed during the construction of the condominium-style rooms, spas, golf course, restaurant, marina, and airstrip. The owners have already invested over BZ$100 million and expect to receive revenues of more than BZ$125 million annually over the next five years.

• Hon. Michel Chebat, Minister of Health & Wellness, reported to Cabinet that since the 30th June roll-out of the vaccine campaign, 12,340 vaccines were issued countrywide. As of 5th July 2021, 93,275 persons have received their first vaccine and 34,341 have received both doses.

The Minister of Health & Wellness reported to Cabinet that due to the rising number of cases in the Toledo District, a two-week lockdown of Barranco, Conejo and Midway villages was put in place as of Friday, 2nd July. Since the lockdown, food hampers have been delivered to villagers every four days and a weekly stipend of $150.00 is being given to every household in the affected villages.

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Cabinet gave its approval for the establishment of an entertainment and recreation park with Designated Processing Area (DPA) in the area where the casinos are located at the northern Belize border with Mexico. This is to allow for the area to be transitioned into a Special Border Entertainment and Recreation Zone to take advantage of the opportunity that exists in developing the tourism potential in the area.

• Hon. Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise, informed Cabinet that he will lead a delegation to Chetumal, Mexico, on 8th July 2021, to hold talks on trade and agriculture with his Mexican counterparts.

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Finally, the Prime Minister informed Cabinet that he will be travelling to the U.S. to meet with António Guterres, UN Secretary-General. The meeting with the Secretary-General will include various issues including climate change, Belize’s work on the Economic and Social Council, security, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Guatemalan claim to Belizean territory, which is now before the International Court of Justice. During his absence, the Hon. Cordel Hyde, Deputy Prime Minister, will act as Prime Minister.

Belize Welcomes Carnival Vista Cruise Belize City, Belize, Thursday, July 8, 2021 – On Wednesday, Belize warmly welcomed Carnival Vista, the first ship to call on the country since the cruise industry in our region was suspended over a year ago. Carnival Vista, which is operated by Carnival Cruise Line, embarked from Galveston, Texas and arrived in Belize early Wednesday morning. Over 2,000 passengers were entertained by the rich, cultural sounds of the Isieni Drummers as they disembarked at the Fort Street Tourism Village (FSTV) in Belize City.

There were a total of 2,810 passengers aboard the ship, which had over 97 per cent vaccination rate, and there were rigorous protocols in place for disembarking passengers. Fully vaccinated cruise passengers had the option of self-guided tours or guided tours with Gold Standard approved operators, while unvaccinated passengers were able to book bubble tours.

The majority of the cruise passengers booked scenic city tours, breath-taking marine tours and excursions to visit Belize’s historic Mayan sites.

The arrival of Carnival Vista is a welcome sign for Belize’s Tourism sector, which provides employment for thousands of Belizeans. However, the successful recovery of the tourism industry depends on our continued adherence to the COVID policies and health guidelines that are in place, as well as getting vaccinated against the virus. In view of this, the Belize Tourism Board has partnered with the Ministry of Health and Wellness to launch a vaccination campaign aimed at giv-

ing vaccinations to as many people as possible by the end of August.

Another cruise ship is expected to arrive in Belize on July 14th.

Tourism industry stakeholders are encouraged to keep abreast of real time information on cruise ship calls to Belize Ports via the BTB Cruise App: https://www.btbcruiseapp.com/ as these are changing daily.

The Belize Times

Established 1957

14 APR 2013

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ISSUE NO: 4840

The Truth Shall Make You Free

www.belizetimes.bz

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serving Belize since 1957 as the longest continuous newspaper.

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11 JUL

2021

THE BELIZE TIMES

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EDITORIAL

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Belize is Back in Business!

t seems that Shyne is trying too hard. He has compared himself to everyone from Mandela to Phillip Goldson. These men were not convicted of a violent crime. These were legendary men of principle, who stood their ground in defence of their rights and the rights of others. Phillip Goldson rose above his circumstances, educated himself, and, later, attended university and became a lawyer, an Area Representative and Minister of Government. Had Shyne studied some Belizean history he would have known that he continued to serve his people in prison by teaching inmates to read. The unmerited comparison between Shyne and Hon. Phillip Goldson is a great disservice to his monumental achievements, his historic legacy, and his revered memory.

Shyne claims to be roots, yet he came back unwillingly to the country of his birth, he squandered his money recklessly, still trying to live the elusive American Dream. He comes now hat in hand to the people of the Southside, to claim them as his own. He does not live on the Southside; he comes for sporadic Sunday visits to hand out meagre dinna in front of the cameras. As a visitor, the reality of the Southside, is not his own. His family’s dynasty on both sides has been built upon the pain and at the cost of the people of the Southside. Kid yourself not, Shyne is part of the UDP elite that pillaged and plundered this nation’s coffers. None on the Southside were conferred the title Ambassador of Music. He disowned and disavowed his family and its connections easily because it is convenient, but while it served his purpose he played along and reaped the spoils.

The current Government of Belize, however, has had no time to dwell on Shyne’s shenanigans because it has been occupied since that fateful day last November. The list of achievements is long, but we will endeavour to highlight some of the most notable. The Covid-19 Pandemic which had been so badly mishandled, was whipped into shape and we had many months of relative calm as cases dropped. The GOB was able to relax the stringent containment measures, while it rolled out their vaccine campaign which was just recently amped up. The control of the pandemic has allowed the economy to reopen on several important fronts. In the North most importantly has been the reopening of the Corozal Free Zone. This has allowed over 1200 persons to regain their employment, and to the benefit of many families. The economy in Corozal has flourished because the Princess Casino was also allowed to open under strict measures and has provided employment to over a hundred more workers. This has revitalized the local economy in Corozal and Orange Walk. The pandemic has created more opportunities in the outsourcing of business processes, currently the BPO industry has created five hundred new jobs. Agriculture under the watchful eye of Minister Abi Mai is having their best year ever, farmers have been able to plant more crops and vegetables.

They have also been able to sell all those crops and vegetables on the local market, because of the strict control of import permits. Exports for cattle have increased due to the efforts and hard work of this government to legitimize the process.

The announcement that cruise tourism is back in Belize has come as a surprise to no one, least of all to Minister Mahler. He has among other things overhauled the BTB and his work has made good the promise to open the country safely to allow for tourism and travel. The tourism sector is flourishing and with it all also those sectors that provide auxiliary services and goods to our visitors.

The construction industry will feel a major impulse with the new cement factory in the West. We have a long way to go yet, but the PUP Government has hit the ground at an all-out sprint. Tourism projections for this year look exceedingly promising and Belizeans are lining up to get vaccinated in anticipation to receive our visitors. Foreign investors and national investors alike have regained confidence in Belize in part because of the Good Governance Laws. Investment is picking up; the economy is moving. There is no doubt now, Belize is back in business!

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THE BELIZE TIMES

EDITORIAL

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11 JUL

2021

en Español

¡Belice Vuelve A La Carga!

arece que Shyne se esfuerza demasiado. Se ha comparado con todos, desde Mandela hasta Phillip Goldson. Estos hombres no fueron condenados por un crimen violento. Eran hombres legendarios de principios que se mantuvieron firmes en defensa de sus derechos y los de los demás. Phillip Goldson se levantó por encima de sus circunstancias, se educó a sí mismo y más tarde asistió a la universidad y se convirtió en abogado, representante de área y ministro de gobierno. Si Shyne hubiera estudiado algo de historia de Belice, sabría que siguió sirviendo a su pueblo en la cárcel enseñando a leer a los reclusos. La inmerecida comparación entre Shyne y el Honorable Phillip Goldson es un gran perjuicio para sus monumentales logros, su legado histórico y su venerada memoria. Shyne dice tener raíces, pero regresó de mala gana al país que le vio nacer, despilfarró su dinero de forma imprudente y sigue intentando vivir el elusivo sueño americano. Ahora viene con el sombrero en la mano a la gente de Southside, para reclamarla como suya. No vive en Southside, sino que viene de visita esporádica los domingos para repartir la escasa “dinna” frente a las cámaras. Como visitante, la realidad de Southside no es la suya. La dinastía de su familia, por ambas partes, se ha construido sobre el dolor y a la costa de la gente de Southside. No te engañes, Shyne forma parte de la élite del UDP que saqueó las arcas de esta nación. A ninguno de los habitantes de Southside se le concedió el título de Embajador de la Música. Renegó y repudió a su familia y sus conexiones con facilidad porque es conveniente, pero mientras le sirvió para su propósito, siguió el juego y cosechó el botín.

El actual Gobierno de Belice, sin embargo, no ha tenido tiempo de sumirse en los tejemanejes de Shyne, porque ha estado ocupado desde aquel trascendental día de noviembre pasado. La lista de logros es larga, pero nos esforzaremos por destacar algunos de los más notables. La pandemia de Covid-19, que había sido tan mal gestionada, se mantuvo a la raya y tuvimos muchos meses de relativa calma mientras los casos disminuían. El GOB pudo relajar las estrictas medidas de contención, al tiempo que desplegaba su campaña de vacunación, que acaba de intensificarse. El control de la pandemia ha permitido reabrir la economía en varios frentes importantes. En el norte, lo más importante ha sido la reapertura de la Zona Franca de Corozal. Esto ha permitido que más de 1.200 personas recuperen su empleo, y que muchas familias se beneficien de ello. La economía de Corozal ha florecido porque también se permitió la apertura del Casino Princess bajo estrictas medidas y ha dado empleo a más de un centenar de trabajadores. Esto ha revitalizado la economía local en Corozal y Orange Walk. La pandemia ha creado más oportunidades en la subcontratación de procesos empresariales, actualmente la industria BPO ha creado quinientos nuevos puestos de trabajo. La agricultura, bajo la atenta mirada del ministro Abi Mai, está teniendo su mejor año, los agricultores han podido plantar más cultivos y verduras. También han podido vender todas esas cosechas y verduras en el mercado local, gracias al estricto control de los permisos de importación. Las exportaciones de ganado han aumentado gracias a los esfuerzos y al duro trabajo de este gobierno para legitimar el proceso.

El anuncio del que el turismo de cruceros ha vuelto a Belice no ha sorprendido a nadie, y menos al ministro Mahler. Entre otras cosas, ha revisado el BTB y su trabajo ha hecho realidad la promesa de abrir el país de forma segura para permitir el turismo y los viajes. El sector turístico está floreciendo y con él todos los sectores que proporcionan servicios y bienes auxiliares a nuestros visitantes. La industria de la construcción sentirá un gran impulso con la nueva fábrica de cemento en el oeste. Aún nos queda mucho camino por recorrer, pero el Gobierno del PUP se ha puesto en marcha a toda velocidad. Las previsiones de turismo para este año parecen muy prometedoras y los beliceños hacen cola para vacunarse en previsión de recibir a nuestros visitantes. Tanto los inversores extranjeros como los nacionales han recuperado la confianza en Belice, en parte gracias a las leyes de buen gobierno. La inversión se está recuperando, la economía se está moviendo. No cabe duda de que Belice vuelve a estar otra vez en marcha.

11 JUL

2021

THE BELIZE TIMES

Cannabis Legislation Fixing a Wrong

In Parliament, Hon. Kareem Musa characterized the weakness of the 2017 decriminalization of the marijuana as it pertains to 10 grams as an absurdity. The law was moved by the then incompetent government to al-

100,000

Vaccinated Belizeans Lining Up

According to the official daily report, as of Wednesday 7th July 2021, 99,591 persons have received their first vaccine and 36,578 have received both doses. Unless there is a total stoppage Belize is on its way to herd immunity. There has been a serious uptick in vaccination of almost 4000 a day since the announcement of the Delta variant in Belize AND which coincided with the massive June 30 ‘Before you relax, Get Vax’ campaign launch. Belizeans have taken their time to scrutinize BUT they are coming around and vaccination are at a level that will have us where we need to be much sooner than we were afraid just a week ago. Let’s all get vaccinated before Christmas!

Since March 23 2020, Belizeans have been on the ultimate existential roller coaster reality ride where their very lives have been at stake. Face masks, Covid-19 bubbles, social/physical distancing, contact tracing, novel coronavirus expanded our lexicon and ramped up our experience.

Our grand objective was, and is still, one with a life or death stake. In Belize, the popular planBelize Government stepped into the non-fictional once-in-a-lifetime role of leading Belize away from the destroyer of lives--the United Democratic Party and, of course, the electron microscopic Sars Cov2 coronavirus.

Full of Belizean mandate, John Briceño and the planBelize team set out to instil said plan by first tackling the Coronavirus, and then the UDP, from stabbing its dangerous spikes into Belize. To do so, Belizeans had to brave the November 2020 surge. The virus would NOT go down without a fight. But planBelize bested the UDP and the Covid-19 coronavirus down to numbers that almost made them insignificant. Like the UDP, the virus is still virulent even as the vaccination is here.

Many Belizeans are hesitant to take the vaccine. There is fear that the virus might be bad for one’s individual health.

Some even rather believe the conspiracy theories of nanobots and genocide. Mass and unrelenting Testing for Covid-19 took us out of exponential growth of Covid-19 infections. Similarly, mass vaccination will inoculate us from the once novel coronavirus, of this there is little doubt.

We will not let Belizeans forget the deliberate damage caused by the UDP who abandoned the Belizean ship years ago and now live on the beaches of prosperity. Back then, the people fended for themselves on their wrecked ship. Little did the UDP care if Covid-19 or unemployment reigned. They observed the Belizean ship sinking with impunity; justice will prevail. Patience! We will all win as Belize enters the previously elusive notion of prosperity where our beloved country works for its citizens and vice versa.

low said amount of cannabis in one’s possession but kept the marijuana trade as illegal as everyone had been grown up to believe and know. This topic, cannabis, is one that squeezes the debate juices out of the best and worst of debaters. The science and economics of it are definitely a part of said debate along with the cultural and social implications.

The present proposed legalization of cannabis is set to fix a wrong which is hurting our society it is deemed to help.

The Briceño administration has been on record for years now; in the words of Hon. John Briceño himself in 2018: “When the government introduced legislation to decriminalize marijuana, they wanted our support and we supported the idea. During my presentation, I even spoke and said that maybe it is time to take a look of not only decriminalizing, even go all the way and legalize it. Let’s study and bring people together. Let’s

have consultation.”

Now, the planBelize government was rolled into government with marijuana legalization in the manifesto. The government has to move with caution as there is so much at stake. They definitely are not moving towards a total openness of marijuana usage. There will be lots of regulation and enforcement of such to ensure that Belize benefits from the legal trade that will make marijuana a foreign exchange earner for Belize. Already, Mexico and other countries are benefitting from their own move to legalize Cannabis.

The Hon. Kareem Musa, presently is the minister who is the face of the Briceño administration when it comes to this legislation, stated in a most recent interview: “I say time and time and time again, the real debate about whether or not we should have legalized marijuana in the country should have been in 2017, because it’s already legal for you to walk on the street with 10 grams.”

“We have to be aware of the realities in our country. And one of the realities is that Cannabis is used by many people, so many people, and it won’t increase simply because we now have industry around it. They are using it, and they are using it legally today, whether it’s for medicinal purposes, whether it’s just free your mind, whether it’s just to get away from all the stress you’re

GOB, $40M SUPPORT FOR ‘RESILIENT RURAL BELIZE’ MATCHING GRANT FUND AGREEMENT – SIGNING CEREMONY Monday, July 5, 2021 Valley of Peace Farmers’ Land, Cayo District, BELIZE

The Government of Belize (GOB), with financing of BZ$40 Million from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF), has embarked on a six-year Programme, Resilient Rural Belize (RRB), which aims to minimize the impacts of climatic and economic events on small farmers while supporting sustainable market access for their produce.

The Programme Management Unit (PMU), acting through the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment (Lead Programme Agency) and working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise, has overall responsibility for programme implementation, including the administration and implementation of the Programme’s Matching

Grant Fund (MGF), the main objective of which is to support the achievement of the Programme’s objectives by co-financing investments that would improve, in volume and quality, small farmer agricultural production and safeguard food security in the context of existing and projected climate change effects. Working with Producers’ Organizations, the Programme will provide support for the development of a business plan, which shall identify proposed investments, including technical assistance and capacity building, aimed at achieving the above objectives, and which shall be used as the basis for accessing support from the Matching Grant Fund (MGF).

05 5 going through, many people in our country use marijuana. You’d be surprised, and I would venture to say up to about 30% of our adult population actually use marijuana. So, it’s not that we’re now going into the use of marijuana. It’s already in existence, and so, anybody that wants to debate has to understand where we’re coming from. It already exists. It’s already legal. It’s now a matter of putting an industry around it that’s not just safe, but as you said, you have to have an educational campaign.

You definitely have to control it, regulate it, and so, it’s not full legalization, per se. It’s more a controlled, responsible approach, putting in law in place to regulate this particular substance.”

Belizeans are now debating the topic of cannabis, to legalize or not to legalize. People need to be educated about the topic and be less sceptical about it. What is good for the USA or Mexico might not be good for Belize.

But who knows? What we do know is that Belize needs to embark on an ALL out campaign to get our economy rolling on all possible fronts. Let’s not drown in the singular Cannabis legislation debate. We have lots of work to do as a country and as individuals. Let’s place out very much valued opinion where it must and then let’s move on. Have you vaccinated?

On Monday, July 5, 2021, the Government of Belize and the Valley of Peace Farmers Association Holdings Limited has signed an Agreement, which will allow for the provision of support to the Association by the Government of Belize through the Programme’s Matching Grant Fund for investments identified in the second business plan to have been prepared and approved under the Programme.

These investments include the construction of a climate resilient office, packing and storage center with equipment, irrigation equipment (water pump, water tanks, PVC piping, hoses & sprinklers) construction of climate smart seedling nursery with equipment and the provision of technical assistance and capacity building geared toward improving governance, administration, financial operations and marketing; introducing climate smart agricultural techniques; and improving production scheduling, planning and product quality.

Valley of Peace Farmers Association Holdings Limited registered as an Association has been engaged with the RRB programme and the Department of Co-operative over the past two years and to date many of the members have been trained on numerous topics by the Department of Co-operative. The Association is based in Valley of Peace, Cayo District, and produce a variety of vegetables. They believe that they have a competitive advantage with cabbage, lettuce and onions, and thus the business proposal concentrates on improving capacity and market opportunities of these crops. The total numbers of beneficiaries to be positively affected by the proposed investment is estimated at 185 persons, including 28 women and 80 youths.

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11 JUL

THE BELIZE TIMES Date: 6 July 2021

Charles B. Hyde Building Mahogany Street Extension Belize City, Belize Central America Website: www.bts.gov.bz Email: info@itx.gov.bz

2021

PUBLIC AUCTION SALE: VEHICLES PUBLIC - PICKUPS & VAN AUCTION SALE: VEHICLES - PICKUPS & Belize District Belize District

BY ORDER of Messrs. The Belize Bank Corporation Limited, Licensed Auctio

Christiana R. Castillo are selling ONLINE via belizepropertyauctions.com the bel

BY ORDER of Messrs. The Belize Bank Corporation Licensed Auctioneers currentlyLimited, running and will expire Wednesday 14th July 2021Kevin at the timeA. shown on t PUBLIC R. AUCTION SALE: VEHICLES & VAN Castillo and Christiana Castillo are selling- PICKUPS ONLINE via belizepropertyauctions.com the below Belize District described currently andAuctioneers will expire 14th July 2021 at the

BY ORDER ofvehicles.

Messrs. The Sales Belize Bank Corporation running Limited, Licensed Kevin Wednesday A. Castillo and Christiana R. Castillo are selling ONLINE via belizepropertyauctions.com the below described vehicles. Sales th time shown on the website. currently running and will expire Wednesday 14

Belize Tax Service Department Notification

July 2021 at the time shown on the website.

2017 Great Wall Wingle; 2017 Volkswagen Amarok; 2020 Nissan Frontier; 2014 M

Ranger; 2013 Grey Mazda Van; 2017 Great Wall Wingle 2017 Great Wall Wingle; 2017 Volkswagen Amarok; 2020 Nissan Frontier; 2014 Mazda Pickup; VIEWING AVAILABLE AT NO. 170 BELTEX AVANUE, BELAMA PHASE 2019 Ford Ranger; 2013 Grey Mazda Van; 2017 Great Wall Wingle 2017 Great Wall Wingle; 2017 Volkswagen Amarok; 2020 Nissan Frontier; 2014 Mazda Pickup; 2019 Ford Ranger; 2013 Grey Mazda Van; 2017 Great Wall Wingle

Attention: BTSD Taxpayers

The Tax Administration and Procedure (Amendment) Bill, 2021 gives the Belize Tax Service Department the power to publish the names of all income, business and general sales tax defaulters in the Government Gazette, in a newspaper of general circulation in Belize and on the Department’s website.

In anticipation of the Bill becoming law, the Department hereby encourages all tax defaulters who do not want their names to be published to visit the Department’s nearest office in the month of July 2021 to make arrangements to pay all tax arrears. In August 2021, the Department will begin to publish the names of tax defaulters and to take other reasonable steps to collect tax arrears.

TERMS: STRICTLY CASH

A. CASTILLO VIEWING AVAILABLE AT NO. 170 BELTEX AVANUE, KEVIN TELEPHONE 223-4488 VIEWING AVAILABLE AT NO. 170 BELTEX AVANUE, BELAMA 1, BELIZE BELIZE Website: belizepropertyauctions.com BELAMA PHASE 1, PHASE BELIZE CITY,CITY, BELIZE E-mail: kevinacas@yahoo.com Face TERMS: STRICTLY CASH TERMS: STRICTLY CASH Book: Belize Auctions KEVIN A. CASTILLO KEVIN A. CASTILLO TELEPHONE 223-4488 TELEPHONE 223-4488 Website: belizepropertyauctions.com E-mail: kevinacas@yahoo.com Face Website: belizepropertyauctions.com Book: Belize Auctions E-mail: kevinacas@yahoo.com Face Book: Belize Auctions

PUBLIC AUCTION SALE: PROPERTY Corozal Town, Corozal District

PUBLIC SALE: PROPERTY

BY ORDER of the Mortgagees Messrs.

TheAUCTION Belize Bank Corporation Limited, Licensed Auctioneers Corozal Town, ONLINE Corozal District Kevin A. Castillo and Christiana R. Castillo are selling via belizepropertyauctions.com the below

BY ORDER of the Mortgagees Messrs. The Belize Bank Corporation Limited, Licensed Auctioneers Kevin A. described property. Sales currently running and will expire between Tuesday 13th July 2021 at the time Castillo and Christiana R. Castillo are selling ONLINE via belizepropertyauctions.com the below described shownbetween on the Tuesday website.13th July 2021 at the time shown on the property. Sales currently running and will expire website.

Parcel No.418 418 corner 3rd Avenue & 5th Street North, Corozal Parcel No. corner 3rd Avenue & 5th Street North, Corozal Town, CorozalTown, District:Corozal District:

A Message from the Director General of the Belize Tax Service Department

Registration Section

REGISTRATION SECTION Corozal Central

Block

BLOCK 4

Parcel

PARCELS 418

(Being a concrete bungalow dwelling structure containing two apartments: Corozal Central 4 418 Apartment 1 – 2 bedrooms + 1 bathroom + Living/Dining/Kitchen: Apartment 2 – 4 bedrooms + 1 bathroom + Living/Dining/Kitchen and lot [1,023.5 square meters] situate in Corozal Central, Corozal containing District, thetwo freehold property Apartment of Ms. Guadalupe Longsworth (Being a concrete bungalow dwelling structure apartments: 1 – 2 bedrooms +1 and Mr. Edmund Longsworth.) bathroom + Living/Dining/Kitchen: Apartment 2 – 4 bedrooms + 1 bathroom + Living/Dining/Kitchen TERMS: STRICTLY CASH and lot [1,023.5 square meters] situate in Corozal Central, Corozal District, the freehold property of Ms. KEVIN A. CASTILLO Guadalupe Longsworth and Mr. Edmund Longsworth.)

TELEPHONE 223-4488 Website: belizepropertyauctions.com TERMS: STRICTLY CASH E-mail: kevinacas@yahoo.com Face KEVIN CASTILLO Book:A. Belize Auctions

TELEPHONE 223-4488 Website: belizepropertyauctions.com E-mail: kevinacas@yahoo.com Face Book: Belize Auctions

CARTOON

11 JUL

2021

THE BELIZE TIMES

07 7

Prime Minister

JOHN BRICEÑO Remarks on the opening of

CEMENTOS ROCAFUERTE LIMITED

Staff of Cementos Rocafuerte Ltd., Invited Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen.

Good morning.

It is indeed a pleasure to be here today. Thank you for the invitation to be present at this important event.

Hon Chris Coye, Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Mr Thomas Dougherty, President of the Board of Progreso, Mr José Raúl Gonzalez, Chief Executive Officer of Progreso, Mr Mario Orellana, General Manager of the Cement Division of Progreso, Mr Fernando Gonzalez, Country Manager,

I begin this morning by conveying my appreciation to Cementos Rocafuerte Limited for the invitation to be here for your official opening. This is a first for Belize and it is the fulfilment of an idea that was envisioned many years ago that has now come to fruition. So, I am truly excited to be able to participate in this ceremony that marks an important milestone, that not only impacts the statistics of Foreign Direct Investment but, that augurs well for the business and economic environment of our country. This moment not only adds to the reactivation of our economy, but it is also a part of the bouncing back of our business community.

This Company is a Belizean registered company that will utilize Belizean talent to produce products that are made in Belize. This plant will be manufacturing General Use Cement (Type II) and High Early Strength Cement. Here, Belizean workers will pack, distribute and be a part of the commercialization of the product first for our local market and soon after to export to the Caribbean. The total investment is estimated at more than $130 million dollars over the next 5-years. This includes plant, machinery, equipment, building materials, office equipment, raw material, packaging material among other items.

The highly automated company employed 50 persons in the construction phase. It is projecting to employ 35 persons over the next 5 years of operations. It is also very important to mention the indirect employment generated from the quarries where Cementos will source its raw materials limestone, and hopefully gypsum. The sourcing from local quarrying activity positively affects approximately 90 employees working in existing quarries and this employment figure will most likely increase.

The total employment from the quarries and Rocafuerte total is presently estimated at 125. This total employment figure does not include those hired to transport Cementos’ raw material and the finished products.This venture falls perfectly with my government’s objective to increase manufacturing and local production to save foreign exchange and generate employment.

According to the International Trade Center, Belize imported over 11 million US dollars’ worth of cement in 2020. This shows the local market potential in this area and this project is making it possible to substitute much of these imports.

Cementos Rocafuerte has been mentioning its interest to access the CARICOM market. The data shows that countries in CARICOM that do not produce Cement like Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent imported over 18 million US dollars in 2020 in cement products. I say this to show the export potential to CARICOM, a market which Belize has access to at zero duties.

Therefore, my administration is committed to remain a partner in this initiative to diversify the economy, generate employment and save foreign exchange by agreeing to provide certain incentives to Cementos Rocafuerte over the five-years so that they build and expand this important enterprise. For us, this investment is a clear demonstration of the opportunities that exist in Belize if we partner with our immediate neighbours Guatemala and Mexico.

By linking to their production and supply chains to produce for the local and CARICOM markets, Belize will truly fulfil its potential as a supplier of agricultural and manufactured goods to the Caribbean.

Today the good news is that the Government of Belize has succeeded in attracting an investor from a neighbouring country who will carry the word that Belize is open for business. This is in part fulfilment of the vision promoted in PlanBelize, our north star. We promised to attract investment through trust, confidence, and ease of doing business. And this is just that, and this is something we intend to keep doing again and again. So, we invite all bona fide investors from the region and beyond to come to Belize where you are welcome and will be able to invest with confidence while participating in the expansion of the Belizean economy. For we know that investment, both local and foreign, is crucial for Belize to advance its growth and sustainable development and is how our nation will bounce forward.

Antes de finalizar mi intervención hoy…quisiera asegurarle a Cementos Roca Fuerte y por extensión a Progreso Holdings SLU, nuestro apoyo a esta inversión muy significativa. Nuestro gobierno está en la mejor disposición de trabajar con todo inversionista serio que nos pueda asistir en el desarrollo de nuestro país.

También le doy las gracias a Cementos Rocafuerte y a Progreso Holdings por la confianza que han demostrado al haber invertido en este proyecto aquí en Belice… teniendo oportunidad de haberlo hecho en cualquier otro país. ¡Les pido que sean buenos embajadores de Belice y que les cuenten a otros inversionistas en la región que están bienvenidos y que invertir en Belice, si vale la pena! ¡Felicitaciones!

To the management staff and investors of Cementos Rocafuerte we offer our congratulation and our prayers for continued success. ¡Muchas Gracias!

Thank you all!

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11 JUL

THE BELIZE TIMES

U.S. Embassy Hosts Basic Investigation Training Belmopan - U.S. Embassy Belmopan hosted a two-week Basic Investigation Training for officers of the Belize Police Department, which concluded today. Twenty-nine officers who serve in various units including the Crimes Investigation Branch, the Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking Units, and the Anti-gang Taskforce graduated at a ceremony held today at the Queen Street Police Street. In attendance were U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Keith Gilges, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams, and Assistant Commissioners Joseph Myvett and Dr. Richard Rosado.

The two-week training supported by the Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) is the third phase of the Basic Investigation Training course, through which more than 80 Belizean investigators have been

trained. The exercise will increase the investigative capacity of the department and better equip personnel to counter threats to citizen security. Thirty officers will be selected from among those who have completed the course and will un-

Samantha Dirks

Belize City, July 5, 2021 The National Olympic and Commonwealth Games Committee has confirmed that 100 meter sprinter Shaun Gill and Belizean-American 400 meter sprinter Samantha Dirks are the 2 athletes who will represent the Jewel at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics along with 9-times Ruta Maya champion Amado Cruz. A Belize Athletics Association press release named Gill for the Men’s 100 meters and Dirks for the Women’s 400 meters, on Monday, July 5.

It’s a dream of a lifetime for both 28-year-old athletes who represented Belize at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia. Gill clocked 10.96 seconds in the 100m

systems, structures, and practices that will improve the quality of Belize’s law enforcement investigations over the long term.” He further added, “Improved practices for law enforcement investigations will increase the likelihood that offenders will be apprehended and successfully prosecuted, which is critical to reducing crime in Belize.”

Commissioner Williams succinctly reiterated that sentiment, stating “Training improves efficiency.”

The two-week long training was facilitated by international instructors Criminal Investigation Advisor Willie Pannell and Retired Chief of Palm Springs Police David Dominguez.

VACANCY:

Belize’s 3 Hopefuls for Tokyo Olympics

Amado Cruz

2021

Shaun Gill

heats in Australia in 2018, and 10.80 secs at 2018 Central American championships in Guatemala.

Dirks had clocked 55.32 seconds in the 400m on May 27 this year. She had clocked 54.74 secs. in the 400 meter heats at the 2017 World Championships in London, UK. Her fastest time in the 400m was 53.15 in California in 2015. She has won Central American gold in the 200 meters in in Guatemala in 2018, in San Jose, Costa Rica in 2020, and on May 27 this year.

Paddler Amado Cruz left Belize last Tuesday, June 29 for Spain, where he will complete his final training for Tokyo under the mentorship of coach Foad Buchta Mohamed who will also be his coach in Tokyo.

LOST BOAT REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE: Notice is hereby given that Frederick Welch , of # 3 Barbados Street, Belmopan City, Cayo District, owner of a fiberglass skiff namely “Perla Blanca” bearing registration number BZ-1876 is declaring the lost of his boat registration certificate.

dergo further training to serve as instructors and mentors for other investigators within the department.

This initiative will support the Belizean government in its efforts to establish a special homicide unit to improve the department’s capability in investigating murder cases.

A selection criteria and process for the recruitment of investigators will also be established, as well as the creation of a protocol for the proper management of crime scenes across government departments.

In his keynote address, Chargé Gilges affirmed, “It is the aim of the U.S. government to support Belize’s police department in redesigning

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Partnership benefits Residents Blue Economy, BCC, CS Rep. Hon. Musa, Private Sector

Families and Children of Buttonwood Bay to benefit from Park Retrofitting July 7, 2021 - Families and children in the Buttonwood Bay area of Belize City will soon benefit from a co-management partnership between the Ministry of Blue Economy, the Belize City Council, Caribbean Shores Area Representative Hon. Kareem Musa, and the private sector. The Seashore Park will receive a facelift to its current features.

“The park sits overlooking our very rich marine resources and faces the home of our ministry. The idea is to have the park serve as a signature education feature on blue economy and our rich marine resources for the surrounding community and Belize City on a whole, while providing a relaxing environment for family fun and children’s play,” said Ms. Kennedy Carrillo, chief executive officer in the Ministry of Blue Economy and Civil Aviation.

Currently, the Seashore Park displays a colourful Belize sign and other features depicting marine life that have attracted locals and tourists alike for photo opportunities. The goal is to add to those features, having the park become a hallmark blue economy education landmark in the area.

A consultation with some residents of the area has resulted in the redesign and rehabilitative works on the park, which will include landscaping and infrastructural improvements to the seawall and storm drain runoff to ensure storm management and protection against tide action, while creatively adding unique representations of the country’s rich natural marine heritage, blue economy, and civil aviation sector. Rehabilitative work will also be done on the gazebo in the park.

The efforts of the Ministry of Blue Economy will bring together the approval of the Belize City Council alongside community involvement and private sector funding for the infrastructural improvements of the park. The ministry welcomes other interested community members of the immediate Buttonwood Bay/Seashore Park area to visit its offices to offer ideas or suggestions for the park alongside the theme for the retrofitting.

Works on the Seashore Park have commenced and the public is advised to exercise caution in area.

11 JUL

2021 LIQUOR LICENSE NOTICES: Notice is hereby given that Sharette Miguel is applying for a Restaurant Liquor License to be operated at “Mayan Crystal Skull” located in Rock Stone Pond, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Vishaun Usher is applying for a Restaurant Liquor License to be operated at “V & J Restaurant ” located in Maskall Village. Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Premier Duty Free Ltd. is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “Premier Duty Free Ltd.” located at # 8 Fort Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Yaaqov Vaknin is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at “Belize Daiquiri Ltd.” located at # 8 Fort Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Martin Leonora Garcia is applying for a Restaurant Liquor License to be operated at “Fu We Cool Spot” located in Hattieville Village, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Wenjing Lei is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “Lei’s Fast Food” located at # 16 Perez Road, Ladyville Village, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Zhichao Tan is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “T & A Fast Food.” located at # 26 Lord’s Bank, Ladyville, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Kimberly Clare is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “J & K Colour Ice Cream” located at # 6121 Seashore Drive, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Kishor Nandwani is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “The Corner Shop 7/11” located at # 36 Church Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Janine Lopez & Ekaterina Diab are applying for a Restaurant Liquor License to be operated at “Moe’s Pizza Pasta LLP” located at # 6121 Seashore Drive, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

099

THE BELIZE TIMES

The 1st Annual Belize Taiwan Academic Conference was a great success

Congratulations to the Belize - Taiwan Association and Ambassador Dr. Candice Pitts for organizing and leading this important initiative.

The presentations from our Belizean Students in Taiwan were informative and enlightening. We can all be proud of these brilliant, dynamic students. Our future development is in good hands.

As a nation and government, we have a responsibility and duty to provide more oppor-

tunities for our young people to access high quality education and to support and encourage our students to do more research relevant

mitment to supporting Belize in the areas of Education, Culture, Science and Technology.

We look forward to an even bigger and better Conference next year! “ -Hon. Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education, Culture, Science and Technology #BTAC2021 #BelizeTaiwanAcademicConference to Belize’s national development.

Embassy of BeWe are truly grateful to the lize ROC -Taiwan Government and people of Taiwan Central America for their strong, unwavering com- Trade Office

NOTICE Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) is pleased to announce the holding of its 2020 Annual General Meeting at the BEL Training Room, Belize City, Belize on Thursday, July 29, 2021 commencing at 2:00 p.m.

The Public Health (Prevention of the Spread of Infectious Disease) (Covid-19) (Amendment) (S.I. No. 9 of 2021) Regulations, 2021, remain in force at the time of writing and restrict gatherings to no more than 10 persons. Consequently, the number of shareholders who can attend the meeting at the physical venue is restricted.

Shareholders or their proxies are invited to participate virtually by visiting the Company’s website at www.bel.com.bz/AGM on the date and time of the meeting. Shareholders and proxies will be asked to provide their contact information along with an electronic copy of a valid identification (ID) such as their Social Security card.

Shareholders may choose (and we encourage you to exercise this right) to appoint your proxy or you can simply appoint the Company’s CEO or the Corporate Secretary as your proxy to represent you at the AGM. Furthermore, the Company will provide virtual access to the meeting.

Pre-registration for virtual attendance commences on Wednesday, July 7, 2021 and closes at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 28, 2021. Shareholders may do so either by visiting the Company’s website at www.bel.com.bz/AGM or by contacting BEL’s Securities Officer at 227-0954 extension 1512 for assistance.

10

THE BELIZE TIMES

MOST MODERN

Digital Laws in CARICOM E-Laws Proposed on July 2 Sitting of the House The Digital Transformation of Belize: Electronic Laws to Support E-Commerce and E-Government Belize, under the Briceño administration, is serious about keeping up with other countries around the world as it embraces information and communication technology (ICT) to transform and re-engineer the way it conducts business electronically, and on the part of government, in the way government delivers key public services. The COVID-19 pandemic has, if anything else, served as a catalyst for this acceleration by bringing to light the need for business continuity via electronic means. For example, the national lockdown of a year ago underlined the importance of ICT in supporting virtual meetings and working from home. While these technologies help in improving processes and transactions for enhanced service delivery, a robust and modern legal framework is also critically needed for outlining the rules for validating, legitimizing, and enforcing such transactions. Cabinet, on Friday July 2nd, 2021, tabled a suite of five proposed laws at the House of Representatives which address: electronic transactions, public sector data sharing, data protection, electronic evidence and defining specific offences related to the electronic transfer of funds.

In this regard, the Government of Belize has significantly benefited from a technical assistance project entitled, “Leveraging Digital Technology for Improving the Business Climate in Belize” funded by the Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility of the Inter-American Development Bank Group (IDB).

The project is being implemented by the Economic Development Council in the Office of the Prime Minister and is specifically driving a major reform of the Belize Companies and Corporate Affairs Registry (BCCAR) which aims at simplifying and digitizing the registering a business process together with the digitization of 18,000+ historical company records. Critical to this reform is the development of key digital legislation that will facilitate fully delivering this particular service online, as well as facilitate the people of Belize’s participation in the digital realm in a safe and secure way. The creation of a Ministry with responsibility for E-Governance is indicative of government’s commitment to deliver on digital transformation.

Introducing these new laws as detailed below is in line with Plan Belize commitments which aim to create an environment that is conducive to business. These efforts also place Belize as a leading Caribbean nation in the establishment of critically needed and modern digital laws and sets a standard for other countries in the region to follow.

What are the new digital laws

and what do they do?

The Electronic Transactions Bill (ETA) creates a predictable, legal environment for electronic commerce (e-Commerce) and electronic government (e-Government) services while defining the rights and obligations of the transacting parties. It also addresses aspects relating to the legality of e-contracts, the use of e-signatures, authentication and non-repudiation. The ETA implements key provisions of the UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Commerce and covers key elements of non-discrimination, technology neutrality and functional equivalence. The ETA also includes principles from the UN Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts and seeks to facilitate global e-commerce trade by establishing a set of rules to guide the use of electronic communications in the negotiation and formation of international contracts and rules relating to Clickwrap agreements as well as electronic “handshakes”.

The ETA presents an update in terms of various developments in technology, law and doing business electronically as well as a fresh look since new needs were highlighted by the COVID-19 crisis as it relates to the removal of exceptions where they exist for such transactions such as deeds, negotiable instruments, trusts and statutory declarations. It creates an inimitable opportunity for Belize to engage in more efficient and effective ways of doing business.

While the ETA sets the legal foundation for electronic commerce and electronic service delivery, the Data Protection Bill (DPA) seeks to protect personal data processed by public and private bodies. It provides a framework where the data rights of our citizens are protected. The DPA enshrines key principles included within the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), a set of global standards for data protection.

This clearly signals Belize’s firm stance on data privacy and security at a time when we are more connected through the internet and applications. It will support our citizen’s right to privacy by providing compliance and accountability measures for organizations processing personal data and provide for legal recurse for unauthorized processing of an individual’s data. The DPA ensures that citizens are able to exercise their right to privacy on any personal data that is processed and will improve transparency on how organizations including the government use personal data shared by individuals as they conduct business online.

Surely you have had the agonizing experience of having to provide the same documentations and information across multiple government entities to access a particular service or services.

Traumatizing memories of standing in line at the Vital Statistics Unit no doubt

come to mind. The time spent going back and forth in getting the necessary documentation and the costs associated with this are burdensome and oftentimes impossible for rural low-income people to afford. The Public Sector Data Sharing Bill therefore aims to facilitate the sharing of data between public sector agencies and to provide for the sharing of data between public sector agencies and other entities. It reduces the burden of having to be back and forth collecting documents to present at government offices because this information can easily be shared across agencies electronically. While this bill will provide for expeditious sharing of government sector data between government agencies, it also sets parameters for data sharing to ensure continuous compliance with the requirements of data protection and privacy as set out in the Data Protection Bill. This bill further recognizes the protection of privacy as an integral component to good governance. Facilitating data sharing amongst public sector will support data-driven policy making, program management and monitoring, and service planning and delivery.

Cognizant of the inherent risks to the digital realm, as seen in the increase of cyber threats, it is important that as a government we provide for more effective prosecution of cybercrime, including financial crimes and crimes against children committed online. In this regard, the Electronic Evidence Bill aims to make provision for the admissibility of electronic evidence. For example, this bill will enable the use of e-mails, digital photographs, word processing as digital evidence, if relevant, in court cases. As such, it offers clarity and ease of use by the Court, legal practitioners, and other users. It will also address the issue within the current Electronic Evidence Act which provides for the need to prove that a computer was operating properly and other archaic requirements dealing with how to prove the admissibility of records.

Finally, the Electronic Funds Transfer Crimes Bill provides for the regulation of the transfer of money through electronic means by use of bank cards, credit cards, smart cards, online banking transfers and mobile commerce for the purpose of instructing or authorizing a financial institution to debit or credit a cardholder’s account when anything of value is purchased. It creates specific offences for the transfer of money through electronic means and particularly via the use of credit or debit cards. Related offences include theft, forgery and other dishonest use of a credit card, debit card, bank card, smart card, or the number and data associated with such card or a bank account and is intended to build user confidence in electronic commerce and electronic transfers. The Bill was drafted to be technology neutral which means that offences apply in a similar manner independent of whether these are committed in a shop in Belize or at an electronic terminal, or through the purchase of goods or services online.

With discrete offences now being created, law enforcement will be much more efficient as various criminal activities in electronic funds transfers will have their own particular offences and

11 JUL

2021 ways of being dealt with.

Noteworthy is that the work completed is complementary to the Cybercrimes Act which was passed in 2020 and which aims at addressing the challenges posed by cyber threat amongst others. In fact, for the cybercrime law to adequately function, it needs to be implemented within a landscape where these draft legislations already exist.

While the Government of Belize, under the leadership of the Hon. John Briceño, is now making major inroads towards the digital transformation of the public service, it is important to also highlight that the use of ICT and the implementation of these new proposed laws are also good for democracy since they promote key principles of good governance, openness and transparency while transforming the way citizens and government interact. The private sector will also stand to benefit by having a modern legislative framework of key digital laws with which to continue to innovate and digitally fuel economic growth and resilient recovery. Once enacted, Belize will have in place, one of the most modern set of digital laws in CARICOM.

Minister Mai in Chetumal Bilateral Talks on Agriculture Cooperation and Advancement

We have all witnessed the body of work put in by Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise. It is literally from Sugar Cane to Cattle to Seedlings. On Thursday July 8 he went across to Chetumal, under FULL Covid protocols, to meet with his Mexican counterparts to hold bilateral talks on trade and agriculture.

It was a bilateral meeting where topics on agriculture, livestock and aquaculture were discussed. Both sides presented opportunities for cooperation and advancement of bilateral ties. The working meeting has set the stage for further discussions in the future and projects that both countries will undertake for mutual benefit.

Minister Víctor Manuel Villalobos Arámbula: ‘We accomplished much today. Both countries share much and Mexico wants to maximize its friendship with Belize.

We will continue to work together with our regional partners and especially Belize in the future.’

Minister Jose Abelardo Mai: ‘We are very happy to have had this conference and had the response from Mexico we have had today. It is a significant step in the relationship with our neughbour and we will continue our very fruitful relations with them.’

More details will be shared in the coming week.

11 JUL

2021

11

THE BELIZE TIMES

VISIT TO THE PRINCESS YOUTH HOSTEL

As Promised the Ministry of Human Development, Families and Indigenous Peoples’ Affair Returned In December of 2020 the Ministry of Human Development, Families and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs opened the doors of the Princess Youth Hostel to the media to show the horrible conditions that the Children were living in. After over 12 years of being closed off, the doors were opened in December of last year. What the media saw was the jaw dropping deplorable conditions the Hostel was in.

Minister of Human Development, Families and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Honorable Dolores Balderamos Garcia then pledged to make changes to the infrastructure and systemic way things were done at the hostel. After 6 months Minister Balderamos kept her promise and today the Princess Youth Hostel is a place of Hope and rehabilitation for all who pass through its doors.

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

Consultancy Services for Information Technology Strategy and Roadmap

Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) is developing an Information Technology (IT) Strategy and Roadmap to guide its use of IT in support of the Company’s strategic initiatives. The Company is undergoing a comprehensive transformation to stay competitive as its industry evolves, and recognizes the need for robust and innovative IT solutions that align with and underpins its Strategic Objectives.

The IT Strategy and Roadmap will help the Company to understand its current capabilities and identify the gaps needed to meet the Strategic Objectives. It will also chart a path to the future where information technologies not only support traditional administrative activities but amplifies operational productivity, and spurs innovation across core functional areas such as energy generation and dispatching, energy transmission, distribution and customer supply services.

The IT Strategy and Roadmap should include, at a minimum, the following key deliverables: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

IT Gap Analysis IT Strategy and Roadmap Cloud Strategy Mobile Strategy IT Governance IT Organization Structure IT Platform Integration

A Request for Proposal (RFP) has been developed and the Company is requesting interested parties to fill out the “Request for Expression of Interest Form” available at www.bel.com.bz and return via email to bidboxrequest@bel.com.bz no later than 4:00 p.m. (GMT 05:00) on Friday, July 30, 2021. Interested applicants will be notified no later than Thursday, August 12, 2021, subject to the signing of a non-disclosure agreement, will be provided with the full RFP. Bidders must meet the following the criteria: 1. Must have individuals on staff who have attained academic credentials and certifications in the disciplines related to IT, IT management, IT governance or enterprise IT. 2. Must have at least five years of experience undertaking similar engagements.

3. Have performed and completed at least three projects similar in scope to BEL’s project.

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11 JUL

THE BELIZE TIMES 2021

18 JAN

11 JUL

2021

BUILDING AND STRONG Prime Minister John Briceño along w/ Minister Julius Espat and MoS Christopher Coye

13 PUP MARSHALLS

THE BELIZE TIMES 2015

2021

‘Before you relax, Get Vax!’ Min. Michel Chebat, Health and Wellness

Swearing-in

Mask Distribution in Santa Cruz

In Support of Jobs and Foreign Exchange: Inauguration of New Cement Manufacturing Plant

President Nigel Belisle with PUP Chairman Hon. Henry Usher

Min. Henry Charles Usher, Public Service, Constitutional & Political Reform Team Vaccinated

Min. Julius Espat, Infrastructure Development and Housing

Meeting Border officers: Customs, Immigration, Health, Police Departments Mask Distribution in Placencia Cayo

Camalote w/ 20-yr old Leah

Meeting with San Pedro Town Council

Upgrading infrastructure and bettering the lives of all Belizeans; here in Calcutta

Nationwide initiative: employing village residents to do their own cleaning

Placencia Mayor & Min. Chebat on the ground in Belmopan

Orange Walk Town

Corozal Free Zone

Belize City

Min. Andre Perez, Blue Economy & Civil Aviation

Adopting Seashore Park to serve as a signature education feature on blue economy and our rich marine resources

14

THE BELIZE TIMES

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PARLIAMENTARISM

30th June 2021--The International Day of Parliamentarism is celebrated annually since 2018 on 30th June. The recognition of this day was established through a United Nations General Assembly resolution which is also the date that the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) was founded. The IPU, the largest global organization of national parliaments, celebrates 132 years. While the Belize parliament has membership in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA); ParlAmericas network of parliaments of the Americas and the Caribbean and FOPREL (Central American and the Caribbean Basin network of parliaments), Belize is not yet a member of the IPU but is working towards membership by next year.

Madam Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Valerie Woods, states “a robust and functioning parliament is the hallmark of a country’s democracy in action. The day provides an opportunity to reflect on the work of our parliamentary institution. I am excited about the objectives ahead for the parliament from revising its Standing Orders, establishing a Code of Conduct, improving the administration of parliament and institutional strengthening of the parliamentary staff to working with the women in parliament who still number in the minority of our parliament, to being engaged with the public particularly the youth and NGOs on the work of Parliament and the critical role it plays in the nation’s development”.

Madam President of the Senate, Hon. Carolyn Trench-Sandiford, remarks “2021 represents 40 years of Independence and of our Parliament. As we calibrate the journey for the next generation, it is timely that we assess what has worked and what has not, such that we can deliver on the promise of our Constitution of a better quality of life for all Belizeans. Our Senate is committed to enhancing the knowledge and awareness of our rich history, and of the work we do through education, awareness, and outreach.

This will ensure that the nation, particularly the next generation of legislators, is well-informed and very conversant with our distinct legislative identity in a parliament.

We are also committed to modernizing the way we operate, to becoming more efficient, effective, and connec_ted to the people we serve, and to leveraging our role in regional and global parliamentary dialogue, diplomacy, and networking to support the national development goals and aspirations of our people. We remain optimistic with the support of both houses of parliament and its members, there will be improvements.”

The parliament of Belize, the Legislature, consists of two Houses: the Senate (Upper House) and the House of Representatives (Lower House). The House of Representatives comprises 31 Members elected in the general elections under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act. The House of Representatives is in its 13th parliamentary session since 1965 while the Senate is in its 14th session. In today’s parliament, there are 4 women representatives in the House of Representatives, reflecting 13%. The 13 members of the Senate are nominated and appointed by the Governor General of Belize. The female Senators in the Senate, a total of 4, account for 30%.

There are universal democratic values and standards of best practice that parliaments around the world can use to strengthen the institution and make it more accessible to the wider public of the society. The parliament of Belize through its various Committees and its work with various parliamentary associations and networks continues to provide the space to all parliamentarians in accessing these opportunities to assist in their parliamentary duties.

For more information on the parliament of Belize, visit www. nationalassembly.gov.bz

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2021

Minister Anthony Mahler assisting his Pickstock constituents with the starting of Small Businesses

11 JUL

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THE BELIZE TIMES

2021

Dear Editor,

Let’s Recall

On Sunday July 11, one day less than the 2nd 2020 Championship of Corruption and Incompetence UDPs will convene to recall. It may also be known as the who-is-the-worse leadership convention of deplorables, the United Democratic Party will be out to determine the obvious. They will vote on the known concept of Patrick Faber having NO leadership pedigree. They will vote against the reoccurrence of domestic violence charged to Patrick Faber.

They will vote against the leader the UDP were forced by Dean Barrow to install on July 12, 2020. The other choices then were John Saldivar and a couple other insignificants.

We will recall that a bewildered Darrell Bradley skipped out of that convention of deplorables. Darrell doesn’t realize that he is now a quitter. He quit Caribbean Shores to exchange the President of Senate gift

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!

Dear Editor, I do not read much. Much less do, I write. I, nonetheless, am very informed. As a lover of God and Jesus Christ, I follow the truth which is many times based on worldly science.

I have one message for those I love. Tek u vaccine mein. It’s an expensive vaccine given to you for free.

Believe me! It is more expensive to not take the vaccine.

If you believe in God, believe he wants you to love yourself and your neighbour. Your neighbours want you to get vaccinated.

If you don’t believe in God, find THE reason behind your life and vaccinate yourself for THAT reason.

If you are hesitant because you are afraid find a friend to help. You should be more afraid of the coronavirus.

I have said enough. Coronavirus got me writing, I can’t believe it.

Thank You Belize Times, Belizean First

from Lee Mark who was willing to get a trouncing. Bradley, years back, had quit running for Mayor of Belize City to lose in Caribbean Shores. He is a quitter and loser.

Let us recall that the sorry deplorables convening Sunday will have to choose between Faber the Kicker and Shyne the Kicker.

• They know clearly that a vote for Faber is a vote for non-leadership and dysfunction.

• A vote against Faber is a vote for non-leadership and dysfunction embodied in the Barrow title.

Barrow, we will recall, ransacked the country for 13 years(remember 1.5billion spent unconstitutionally, including ooops) and left a cross pollinated deportee to sabotage and corrupt anything in front of him including the Opposition.

Let us recall that the UDP’s so called recall convention is only a shuffle of poison. Nothing good can come out of it for Belize.

Let us recall that the massive November 11 and March 3 votes are still the reigning mandates. Let us have a calm Sunday and let the UDP implode in their self-imposed mire.

For all intents and either way, Faber is a dead duck. The UDP fares the same.

Signed Recalling 13 Years

Charting a Path for Sustainable Management of Belize’s Multi-Species Finfish Fishery June 30, 2021. Belize aims to improve the management of its multi-species finfish fishery through capacity building for stakeholders and the finalization of a sustainable management plan. In this regard, the Ministry of Blue Economy alongside its partners and the Belize Fisheries Department have gathered for a Finfish Fishery Stakeholders Adaptive Multi-Species Finfish Management Workshop.

The workshop, which runs from June 29 to July 2, 2021, was co-organized by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, Office of Legal Affairs (DOALOS), the Directorate General for Foreign Trade, and Environmental Defense Fund (EDF).

Finfish fishery management is a priority for the Government of Belize, fisheries managers, scientists and fishers, as the sustainable use of finfish resources will alleviate pressures from heavily exploited nearshore resources such as spiny lobster and queen conch, contribute to the resource and trade diversification for livelihood opportunities, while helping to ensure

optimal and sustainable use of fishery resources in the face of climate change.

Ms. Beverly Wade, director of Blue Economy, highlighted, “Participants support in the development and implementation of this strategic priority action for the marine finfish sector will undeniably result in the realization of an important building block in the overarching National Blue Economy Strategy, which is expected to place Belize in a position to benefit from a planned and structured approach to its ocean-based economic sector.”

The workshop is a key activity of Phase II under the United Nations funded project entitled “Supporting Developing Countries in analyzing and implementing evidence-based and policy coherent oceans economy and trade strategies (OETS)”. This project aims to strengthen capacities of selected coastal developing countries, such as Belize, in elaborating, adopting and implementing evidence-based and policy coherent Oceans Economy and Trade Strategies.

These strategies will promote sustainable trade of products and services in ocean-based economic sectors within the UNCLOS framework.

PUBLIC AUCTION SALE: PROPERTY PUBLIC AUCTION SALE: PROPERTY

Belama Phase Belize City, Belize District Belama Phase 1,1,Belize City, Belize District

BY ORDER of BY theORDER Mortgagees Messrs. The Belize BankBank Corporation Licensed Auctioneer of the Mortgagees Messrs.

The Belize CorporationLimited, Limited, Licensed Auctioneers Kevin A. Castillo and Christiana R. Castillo are selling ONLINE via belizepropertyauctions.com Castillo and Christiana R. Castillo are selling ONLINE via belizepropertyauctions.com thethe below below described property.

Sale expire currentlyMonday running and expire Monday 19th am.

July 2021 at 11:00 am. property. Sale currently running and will 19thwill July 2021 at 11:00 Parcel No. 2407/1 Samuel HaynesBelama Crescent,Phase Belama Belize City: Parcel No. 2407/1 Samuel Haynes Crescent, 1, Phase Belize1,City:

NOTICE

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT NOTIFIES OF Registration Section Block Parcel REGISTRATION SECTION BLOCK PARCEL Caribbean Shores 16 2407/1 Shores dwelling house16 CHANGE IN(Being a two-storeyCaribbean timber/concrete [2,576 sq.2407/1 ft.]: Ground Floor – two apartments ea containing 2 bedrooms + 1 bathroom + living/dining/kitchen; First Floor - 3 bedrooms + 2 bathrooms COURT DATE living/dining/kitchen and lot [380.516 square meters] situate on Samuel Haynes Crescent, Belama Phas (Being a two-storey timber/concrete dwelling house [2,576 sq. ft.]: Ground Floor – two apartments each containing 2 bedrooms + 1 bathroom + living/dining/kitchen; First Floor - 3 bedrooms + 2 bathrooms + living/dining/kitchen and lot [380.516 square meters] situate on leasehold property ofCrescent, Ms. Elizabeth Villanueva.)

Samuel Haynes Belama Phase 1, Belize City, the leasehold property of Ms. Elizabeth Villanueva.)

TERMS: STRICTLY CASH

The DepartmentCity,ofthe TERMS: STRICTLY CASH Transport hereby notifies KEVIN CASTILLO KEVIN A.A. CASTILLO TELEPHONE 223-4488 TELEPHONE 223-4488 all persons who were Website: belizepropertyauctions.com Website: belizepropertyauctions.com E-mail: kevinacas@yahoo.com served with a defendant E-mail: kevinacas@yahoo.com Facebook: Belize Auctions summons on Monday, Facebook: Belize Auctions July 5, 2021, at Mile 4 Western Highway, that PUBLIC AUCTION SALE: PROPERTY PUBLIC AUCTION SALE: PROPERTY Punta GordaTown, Town, Toledo District the court date has been Punta Gorda Toledo District BY ORDER of the Mortgagees Messrs.

The Belize Bank Limited, Licensed Kevin BY ORDER of the Mortgagees Messrs.

The Belize Bank Limited, LicensedAuctioneers Auctioneers Kevin A. A. changed from Friday, Castilloare and selling Christiana R. Castillovia are selling ONLINE via belizepropertyauctions.com the below p Christiana R. Castillo ONLINE belizepropertyauctions.com the below described July 9, 2021 to Friday, Sale currently and will expire am.

Monday 19th July 2021 at 10:00 am. currently running described and willproperty. expire Monday 19th running July 2021 at 10:00 July 16, 2021. TheNo. date No. 1092 Sixth Street, Gorda Town, Toledo District: 1092 Sixth Street, Punta GordaPunta Town, Toledo District: has been changed due to the closure of the Magistrates Court.

The Magistrate’s Court is located on North Front Street (CenREGISTRATION SECTION BLOCK PARCEL ter Point Building – 2nd Registration Block 1092 Parcel Punta Gorda Section 42 Punta Gorda 42 1092 Floor, Court Room #8), (Being a small masonry block building [16 ft. X 24 ft.] + zinc shed and lot [713.37 S.Y.] situate (Being a small masonry block building [16 ft.

X 24 ft.] + zinc shed and lot [713.37 S.Y.] situate on Belize City. on Sixth Street, Punta Gorda Town, Toledo District, the freehold property of Ms. Fern Carin Punta Gorda Town, Toledo District, the freehold property of Ms. Fern Carin Gutierrez).

Gutierrez).

Failure to appear will TERMS:STRICTLY STRICTLY CASH TERMS: CASH result in an exparte trial KEVIN A.A. CASTILLO KEVIN CASTILLO TELEPHONE 223-4488 223-4488 or the issuance of a WarWebsite:TELEPHONE belizepropertyauctions.com E-mail: kevinacas@yahoo.com Website: belizepropertyauctions.com rant for your arrest.

Face Book: Belize Auctions E-mail: kevinacas@yahoo.com

16

11 JUL

THE BELIZE TIMES

WAKE UP

2021

BY ORDER OF CHARGEE NOTICE OF INTENTION TO SELL

HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED a statutory body formed and registered under the Credit Union Act, Chapter 314 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000, and whose registered office is situated at No. 1 Hyde’s Lane, Belize City, Belize District hereby gives notice of its intention to exercise its power of sale as Chargee under and by virtue of a Charge registered at the Land Registry between ANNE MELCHORA PALACIO (Chargor) of the first part, DWIGHT ANTHONY ALVAREZ (Borrower) of the second part and HRCU of the third part.

HRCU will at the expiration of three months from the date of the first publication of this notice sell the property described in the Schedule below.

by Hon. Gilroy Usher, Sr. (Port Loyola) I 1. Stop maiming and killing each other 2. No more crime over turf, drugs, or color 3. You don’t have to be lost in jail or slain 4. Violence makes your life shorter and vain 5. It’s time to wake up sisters and brothers II 1. Our forefathers built cities that were successful 2. We too can show love, invest, and be helpful 3. Like Immigrants, we can uplift over generation 4. But it takes hard work, savings, unity, and ambition 5. It’s time to wake up sisters and brothers III 1. Many politicians only exploit our marginalized condition 2. We must always strive for justice for all in our nation 3. Access to land, housing, education, and jobs is development 4. Government’s assistance with those things is betterment 5. It’s time to wake up sisters and brothers

Second Cattle Export Activity Held at Shipyard Belmopan. July 1, 2021. 6:35 p.m.

Hon. Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise, was present today for the initiation of a second cattle export activity between Belize and Mexico.

A brief ceremony was held in Shipyard to mark the exportation of 349 heads of cattle from Shipyard and 85 from Blue Creek with a final destination of Michoacan, Mexico. The heads of cattle have been purchased

by SuKarne, a Mexican multinational corporation based in Culiacán, Mexico, which operates in the food processing industry. SuKarne annually exports the largest percentage of beef, pork, and chicken from Mexico.

In his remarks, Minister Mai praised the initiative and hard work of cattle farmers and the Belize Livestock Producers’ Association. He noted that the cattle industry is improving constantly through the collaboration of different partners, both

ALL offers to purchase the said property must be made in writing to Holy Redeemer Credit Union Limited from whom full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained.

SCHEDULE ALL THAT piece or parcel of land comprising 454.91 square yards being Parcel 697, Block 45 in the St. Martin De Porres Registration Section situate at No. 697 Aloe Vera Street, Belize City, Belize District, Belize TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon, the freehold property of ANNE MELCHORA PALACIO. DATED this 5th day of July 2021 HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED 1 HYDE’S LANE, BELIZE CITY, BELIZE Phone: (501) 224-5644 Fax: (501) 223-0738 E-mail: foreclosures@hrcubelize.org

VACANCY POWER PLANT OPERATOR BELIZE ELECTRIC COMPANY LIMITED (BECOL) is accepting applications for the post of POWER PLANT OPERATOR. BECOL is the owner and operator of the Mollejon, Chalillo, and Vaca Hydroelectric Projects. The main function of the company is to provide clean and reliable energy to BEL. The company’s foremost concern is the safety of its employees and the running of an environmentally sound operation by following the guidelines of the International Standards Organization, category ISO14001.

JOB DESCRIPTION: Operates and controls all plant equipment from centralized and remote-control panel boards.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES: o Monitors and operates all plant generation equipment from centralized and remote-control panels according to plant operating procedures o Assures compliance with all operating and safety procedures including issue of protective tagging and maintaining operational records and logs o Participates in approved training program and study operating manuals to assure increased knowledge and competency in work performance o Performs minor maintenance during normal shift and assists in maintenance effort during unit and/or equipment outage. o Performs other related duties as required

at home and abroad, in genetic livestock improvement and in securing markets. The minister made mention of the recent embryo transplant activity hosted by Mexican experts as one of the many moves that the industry is making in the right direction.

In the coming days, animals will be loaded at Shipyard and Blue Creek for exportation. The beef cattle industry in Belize will continue improving as better-quality animals are introduced into the national herd and export markets are secured in Belize’s neighbouring countries of Guatemala and Mexico.

SALARY: o Dependent on Qualifications and experience QUALIFICATION: o Associates degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering OTHER REQUIREMENTS: o Knowledge of power plant or large industrial equipment and operating procedures preferred o Ability to comprehend complex operating manuals, blueprints and flow diagrams o Have a clean police record and good inter-personal skills o Must have a valid driver’s license The successful applicant must reside in the San Ignacio\Santa Elena Town area or Benque Viejo Del Carmen Town. Application letters, accompanied by two (2) letters of reference, must be submitted by 16 July 2021 to: corporate@becol.com.bz Human Resource Department BECOL Mile 68 George Price Highway San Ignacio Town Cayo District

11 JUL

2021

THE BELIZE TIMES

THINK ABOUT IT SHYNE IS NOT LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION Ignorance of the law is not an excuse, but it explains a lot of the nonsense going on in the UDP. Shyne Barrow is NOT the Leader of the United Democratic Party, he is the Leader of the Opposition in the House of Representatives.

The Leader of the Opposition Party, the UDP, is Patrick Faber. Until the UDP delegates vote to remove him, he is still the duly elected Leader of the UDP. The UDP party has its rule and procedures in their party constitution which governs their activities. They have their rules to elect a Party Leader and they have rules to remove their Party Leader.

Patrick Faber may be removed when the UDP hold their special meeting for that purpose. Or he may win the vote and remain as Party Leader.

Because the previous UDP Party Leader, Dean Barrow, left the UDP in such a mess, some eighty thousand Belizeans voted for the PUP and thirty thousand voted for the UDP in the November 2020 general elections. Only five UDP politicians won their constituencies. FIVE! So, in the House of Representatives, the mighty PUP has 26 Area Representatives and the once mighty, now a tiny little mouse, UDP has five opposition area representatives.

Normally, the Leader of the Opposition Party also performs the role of Leader of the Opposition in the House of Representatives.

The Belize Constitution, which is the Supreme law of the country has a few provisions on the matter but is outmoded to deal with these troubled times.

The Leader of the Opposition in the House can be replaced by another elected member of the opposition in the House. At present the opposition UDP has only 5 elected members. One is Shyne Barrow another is his aunt Denise Barrow. These two along with Hugo Patt make a majority of three out of five. Under the Constitution a majority can tell Governor General to replace Patrick Faber with Shyne Barrow. Lionel Richie song “Easy like Sunday Morning.”

Shyne, nor aunty Barrow, nor Hugo Patt have no authority to remove Patrick Faber as the Leader of the UDP. Only the UDP party members and officials through their delegates can vote yes or no on that matter.

It is one of the terrible results of the despot Dean Barrow. He has plunged our country into a mess, squandered our limited finances and did nothing to reform and improve our country. He has left a low level of incompetence and no good officials in charge of UDP. ONE SUCH TERRIBLE LEGACY One of the terrible things that Dean Barrow has done to this country is the treatment of the public service and the institutions.

We all know he appointed political cronies to important Commissions and Boards. He paid all these persons to ensure they became beholden to his whims and fancies.

A foolish person was appointed chairman of the Elections and Commission, a close family member (a niece) was appointed chairperson of the Advisory Council. A timid soul was appointed Chairman of the Public Service Commission. Worse that person was a handpicked Minister of Government in the previous UDP administration.

The Integrity Commission was left with a vacancy unfilled for years, and years. The all important Public Accounts Committee of the National Assembly was literally sabo by allowing the UDP members as a majority on the Committee to block any attempts to review financial misappropriations of monies.

The list of intentional mismanagement is long.

The salaries bill was increased by over seventeen million dollars each year by piling up UDP supporters in the public service. Qualified and unqualified supporters were given jobs without the legal requirements. None of the positions were advertised. None of the persons attended interviews. All handpicked. Dean Barrow’s sister is accused as one of the main culprits in handpicking persons to get jobs, under the table.

The allegations against sista b is equally made for the distribution of land.

What a powerful person to be giving away lands without going through the legal process. No wonder she does not participate in meetings of the House of Representatives as she is required to do. She would be an easy target and a poppy show.

And she should be investigated for the proxy voting scandal in Queen’s Square in the last election.

But… back to the main issue. By stacking up the public service with party political employees, the public service has been crippled. Many of these politically appointed persons are in the way.

Another unfortunate situation is the re-employment of retired public officers.

This was done in clear violation of the law that persons who retire are not to be

17

re-employed.

AN INNOCENT MAN GOES TO JAIL A 33-year-old father and husband with no previous criminal record has been sent to jail for three years.

Ramiro De La Rosa made the biggest mistake of his life when he plead guilty to having a firearm. The Magistrate in San Ignacio sent him to jail for three long years. Just like that.

The Firearms law, like the Drugs law, needs to be amended.

Any law which automatically imprisons innocent persons is a bad law. Any government which tolerates a bad law is a bad government. The UDP passed that bad law. We know they were a bad government. The new PUP government is not a bad government. The law needs to be fixed.

Mr. De La Rosa’s father had a licensed gun. He died some months ago. The Police knows who all own licensed guns. They did not go to De La Rosa’s house right so, so, so.

There was too much eagerness to wrongly apply the go-to-jail law. That cruel law has been challenged in the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has ruled that the mandatory minimum sentence is unconstitutional. But magistrates retain their discretion to decide on individual circumstances on what is an appropriate sentence.

The general law governing magistrates seek to protect an unrepresented accused. When a person is pleading guilty, he must be informed of the consequences of doing so. We in Belize should not be in a hurry to jail our people, much less an innocent person.

Mr. De La Rosa is an innocent man, wrongly convicted, who pled guilty to a serious offence in order to prevent his wife (who was also charged) from going to jail.

WEED WILL BECOME A LEGAL BUSINESS Respect is due to Minister Kareem Musa for being bold enough to introduce a proposed law to further decriminalize marijuana and turn it into a legal business.

This is a major turning point in the dealing with a drug which has caused so much difficulty in our country. Many persons are regular ‘weed smokers’. Such an illegal underground business has been going on for years and decades.

Weed is such a widespread business that it is imported from Mexico and Guatemala. In the same way the powerful USA cannot stomp out the cocaine industry in Colombia; likewise, Belize cannot stomp out the week smoking and selling.

This bold move to legalize marijuana and try to make it into a legitimate business will need major consultations and careful planning. It is not an overnight thing.

When we read the first draft of the proposed new law, we will try to break it down for our readers.

We urge the Minister to ensure a massive public information and education about the downside of smoking weed, its harmful effects and the need to see alcohol and marijuana as unhealthy drugs.

THE DEVIL VISITED MENNONITES The devil paid a personal visit to the Mennonites community at shipyard in Orange Walk, this week.

Five Mennonites male have been charged for kidnapping and harm of a fellow Mennonite. The hapless victim was abducted and taken to a place where he was badly beaten and left to endure his multiple injuries.

To our knowledge this is the first time such a situation has occurred in a Mennonite Community.

Mennonites are God-fearing, Christian-followers, known for their close relationship and family camaraderie. Violence is not their thing.

The five accused were denied bail in the Orange Walk court. When they do get bail they will be further punished by their community for bringing disgrace on everyone.

SHYNE SHOULD APOLOGIZE If Honourable Shyne Moses Levi Barrow wishes for Belizeans to see him and treat him as different from the harping, carping politicians in the UDP, he needs to earn respect.

In a public interview Shyne stated that Minister Henry Usher who has portfolio responsibility for Constitutional Reform has a family member who was accused of a theft. He called the name and said things that were false and not factual.

Former Prime Minister Said was maliciously accused of a theft of several million dollars which was paid to Belize Bank to cover a government loan. The allegation could not and did not even go beyond Magistrate Court as it was purely political and without any facts and substance.

Shyne owes the Minister of Constitutional Reform a public apology otherwise he was plainly lying.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Government consultations in communities without electricity in Northern Districts Field trip to electricity projects in unserved communities in the Orange Walk and Corozal Districts July 2, 2021 - The Government of Belize and the European Union (EU) have signed a financing agreement that provides grant funds and technical assistance for electricity projects that use mini-grid and stand-alone solar technology to reach communities whose connections to the national grid are not currently feasible.

The overarching goal of the initiative is to bring electricity to those communities and villages that are unserved and lack access to energy services and are supported by the EU through LAIT UP BELIZE!, a project for capacity building in the energy sector. The project also provides grant funding to NGOs and BEL for the improvement of access to energy services in the country.

To this end, the Ministry of Public Utilities, Energy & Logistics; the Ministry of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labour and Local Government; the Belize Electricity Limited (BEL); Digi; and the National Village Council Organization (NAVCO) held consultations with stakeholders in San Carlos, Indian Church, Fire Burn villages and the Mennonite communities of Indian Creek, Neuland and Little Belize from June 22 to 24, 2021.

Hon. Ramiro Ramirez, Minister of State in the Ministry of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labour and Local Government, and Valentino Shal, CEO in the ministry, also participated in the June 22nd consultations.

The consultations will be instrumental in developing a national plan for new electricity projects that may be implemented in partnership with international development partners. The participants focused on the productive uses of energy services such as agro-processing (including corn milling, rice de-husking, coconut oil production, etc.), eco-tourism, business services, irrigation and refrigeration.

The consultations were facilitated by district officers of the Ministry of Rural Transformation and Javier Sabido, president for NAVCO. Mr. Amin Matar represented the Energy Unit in the Ministry of Public Utilities, Energy and Logistics, and technical support was provided by Glynn Mor-

11 JUL

2021 ris and Luis Larregola from the LAIT UP BELIZE! project.

The Ministry of Public Utilities, Energy & Logistics is committed to achieving universal access to energy services for citizens, businesses, and government. This is aligned with the international commitments under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDG7, which calls for “access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.”

Further consultations will continue across the country to establish a national framework and plan for all unserved communities in Belize.

Figure 1: Hon. Ramiro Ramirez and CEO Valentino Shal consulting with village leadership in San Carlos village

Figure 2: Technical expert Mr Luis Larregola, of the LAIT UP BELIZE! project consulting with community representatives in Fire Burn village

Belize Celebrates International Day of Cooperatives

July 2, 2021 - The International Day of Cooperatives was celebrated today in San Carlos Village, Orange Walk District under the theme “Rebuild Better Together”.

Celebrated annually on the first Saturday in July, the day is observed each year at different locales where cooperatives are active to build awareness.

Present for the occasion were Servulo Baeza, CEO in the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise, and Gareth Murillo, registrar of cooperatives.

In his remarks, CEO Baeza spoke of the work that cooperatives do in organizing small farmers and ensuring their participation in economic activity that helps the economy recover. CEO Baeza also highlighted the important role of cooperatives in helping to organize at the grassroots level and supporting people and communities as their work helps with the eradication of poverty. He further noted that government has prioritized agriculture in the national economic recovery process.

The day included raffles for members of the cooperatives, messages from international partners and talks from members of the local cooperatives.

Figure 3: Technical experts inspecting a solar-powered water pump in Indian Church village

Committee to Assist Persons with Special Needs and Disabilities in Times of Emergencies and Disasters

Recognizing the need to bridge a critical gap in its national emergency system, the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO), on behalf of the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management, in collaboration with the Ministry of Human Development, Families and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, and the Ministry of Health & Wellness, met on Friday, June 25, 2021, in the Belize City Council Caucus Room and formed NEMO’s 15th National Committee, the National Special Needs and Disability Committee (NSNDAC).

The committee will assist persons with special needs and disabilities in times of emergencies and disasters. The committee will also enable NEMO to be better prepared to protect Belize’s most vulnerable citizens who typically live in low-income, hazardous areas that are lacking in critical infrastructure, have the least resources, are the least mobile, and are at higher risk to natural hazards. In the advent of a major catastrophic event, such persons are likely to be most impacted if a comprehensive and integrated system is not in place.

The terms of reference and membership were reviewed and updated and next steps were identified, including setting up a database, establishing construction standards for differently-abled persons, training, and sign language communicators for news and emergency alerts.

The committee is chaired by Mr. Marshall Nunez with co-chairs from the ministries of Education and Health & Wellness and the National Association of Village Councils. The National Special Needs and Disability Committee will have representation at the NEMO national executive and district levels.

The public and corporate stakeholders are called to recognize and support the work of the committee.

11 JUL

2021

Lockdown of Southern Communities to Mitigate the Spread of COVID-19 July 2, 2021- The Government of Belize has implemented a lockdown order for Conejo, Midway, and Barranco villages in the Toledo District effective today, July 2, 2021, for an initial period of two weeks. A curfew specific to these villages will also be in effect as of today from 8:00 p.m. to 4:59 a.m.

The Ministry of Health & Wellness will be providing food packages to every household in these communities for the duration of the lockdown. The ministry will also be assist-

19

THE BELIZE TIMES

ing with a weekly stipend of $150 per household.

The health teams will be led by Dr. Franelda Gutierrez, regional manager of the Southern Health Region.

The public is advised to visit the nearest public health facility to get vaccinated and reminded to observe the public health measures that are currently in place.

Min. Michel Chebat at parliament: “This is how lockdowns are done”. He alluded to the draconian UDP lockdowns on 2020.

RESIDENTS & OTHER STAKEHOLDERS TO BE CONSULTED ON RESTORATION ACTIVITIES FOR THE NEW RIVER July 2, 2021. A consultative process has just begun and will be carried out over a four-week period with various stakeholder groups that reside within the New River watershed. Identified stakeholder groups include residents along the New River, representatives of local governments and institutions, factory operators, farmers, tourism and business operators, and civil society representatives.

This consultation will provide valuable insight into stakeholders’ views, concerns, and recommendations for consideration in developing a management plan to restore and conserve the New River watershed.

A comprehensive and integrated watershed management plan is critical to guide the restoration, protection and promotion of the sustainable use and benefits of the resources of the New River watershed for all users and stakeholders, present and future. The Department of the Environment (DOE) is implementing the development of the New River Watershed Plan with the financial assistance of the Protected Areas Conservation Trust.

The DOE encourages all identified stakeholders to actively engage with the consulting team to be able to participate in the successful completion of this activity. Members of the consultation team will possess a letter from the DOE identifying themselves as part of this activity.

For further information or clarification, please contact Fermin Olivera at 672-1428 or email f1olivera@gmail.com.

NOTICE Eurasia International Limited #76,267 (“the Company”)

Pursuant to Section 102(4) of the International Business Companies Act, Chapter 270 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011, notice is hereby given that Eurasia International Limited: d) is in dissolution e) commenced dissolution on the 2nd day of July, 2021; and f) CILTRUST INTERNATIONAL INCORPORATED whose address is 35 Barrack Road, Third Floor, Belize City, Belize is the Liquidator of the Company CILTrust International Limited Registered Agent

NOTICE FT Global Ltd. #147,135 (“the Company”)

Pursuant to Section 102(4) of the International Business Companies Act, Chapter 270 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011, notice is hereby given that FT Global Ltd.: a) is in dissolution b) commenced dissolution on the 29th day of June, 2021; and c) Vasilios Paraskevas whose address is 14 Alsoupoleos, 6052, Larnaka, Cyprus is the Liquidator of the Company CILTrust International Limited Registered Agent

NOTICE DCI INVEST LIMITED #83,427 (“the Company”)

Pursuant to Section 102(4) of the International Business Companies Act, Chapter 270 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011, notice is hereby given that DCI INVEST LIMITED: a) is in dissolution b) commenced dissolution on the 30th day of June, 2021; and c) Sergii Shybanov whose address is Chaykovskogo Str. 17, apartment Number 7, Kharkiv, Ukraine 61024 is the Liquidator of the Company

CILTrust International Limited Registered Agent

20

THE BELIZE TIMES

Belize Participates in the 42nd CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting

Belmopan. July 6, 2021. 5:00 p.m.

Prime Minister Hon. John Briceño headed the Belize delegation to the 42nd Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) from July 5 to 6, 2021.

In addressing a wide range of critical issues during the virtual meeting, the heads assessed the regional advancements made in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

They agreed to redouble their efforts to acquire adequate supplies of vaccines with the determination to achieve regional herd immunity of 80% coverage by the end of 2021 and mandated the mobilization of resources to address vaccine hesitancy.

The Heads of Government emphasized that the CARICOM Single Market and Economy must be used as an important vehicle for rebuilding and transforming the economies of member states devastated by the pandemic. The proposal to incentivize private sector partnership in addressing transport and logistics requirements for the successful implementation of the Agri- Food Systems Agenda was also endorsed by the heads.

CARICOM Heads also received a report on the political situation in Haiti and

updates on regional natural disasters from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Guyana, Suriname, and Barbados. A report on the Joint Tourism Policy for the region was presented and the heads endorsed the recommendation for a harmonized policy to cater to the return of cruise ships to the region. The heads welcomed the report on the ongoing efforts towards the elimination of roaming charges for the region as part of the creation of a CARICOM Single ICT Space.

As of July 1, 2021, Prime Minister Briceño joined the Bureau of the Conference and will serve in that capacity over an 18-month period. Belize will take up the CARICOM Chairmanship in January 2022 and will host the 33rd Inter-sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government in February 2022.

Accompanying the Prime Minister were Hon. Eamon Courtenay, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, and Immigration; Hon. Ramon Cervantes, Minister of State in the ministry; Ambassador Amalia Mai, chief executive officer in the ministry; H.E. Lawrence Sylvester, Belize’s Ambassador to CARICOM; and other senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, and Immigration.

11 JUL

2021

Government Condemns the Assassination of President Jovenel Moïse of Haiti

Belmopan. July 7, 2021.

11:15 a.m.

The Government of Belize condemns in the strongest possible terms the assassination of the President of Haiti Jovenel Moïse on July 6, 2021, at his residence.

Such a heinous act of political violence has no place in democratic societies or in the Caribbean Community, which is firmly committed to the rule of law and democratic principles.

The Government extends its deepest condolences to the people of Haiti, who have already endured decades of immeasurable suffering and hardship. It is the Government’s hope that with regional and international solidarity and support, the Haitian people will emerge from this latest crisis to find a path to peace and stability.

The Government of Belize calls for calm and restraint during this difficult moment for Haiti.

In tribute to the late President of Haiti Jovenel Moïse, the Government of Belize orders that all national flags and CARICOM Standard flags are flown at half-mast for three days starting today, July 7, 2021.

The Government of Belize joins the Caribbean Community in this symbolic gesture of condolence as the people of Haiti mourn the death of President Moïse, who was assassinated in his home on July 7, 2021.

Flags will also be flown half-mast on the day of President Moïse’s funeral, which will be announced later.

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W.H.O. Urges Masking for the Vaccinated, in Split With C.D.C.

By Raphael Minder, Emma Bubola, Niki Kitsantonis, New York Times Worried by the Delta variant, W.H.O. officials urged vaccinated people to keep wearing masks.

World Health Organization officials, concerned about the easing of precautions meant to stop the spread of the coronavirus even as the most contagious variant to date has emerged, have urged even fully vaccinated people to continue wearing masks and to keep taking other measures to prevent infection. https:// www.nytimes.com/live/2021/06/28/ The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, on the other hand, told fully vaccinated Americans in May that they no longer needed to wear masks indoors or to maintain a distance of six feet from other people. The agency also eased advice about testing and quarantine after suspected exposure to the virus.

Asked on Monday about the new cautions expressed by the W.H.O. — the world’s largest public health organization — a C.D.C. spokesman pointed to the existing guidance and gave no indication it would change.

A highly infectious form of the virus, called the Delta variant, was first detected in India and has been identified in at least 85 countries. In the United States, where its prevalence has doubled in the last two weeks, the variant is responsible for one in every five Covid-19 cases. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease doctor, has called it “the greatest threat” to eliminating the virus in the United States.

The rise of new variants “makes it even more urgent that we use all the tools at our disposal to prevent transmission,” including consistent use of both vaccination and public health and social measures, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the W.H.O., said at a news briefing on Friday.

Dr. Mariângela Simão, the W.H.O.’s assistant director-general for access to medicines, vaccines and pharmaceuticals, emphasized at the briefing that even vaccinated people should continue to consistently wear masks, avoid crowds and maintain social distance from others, make sure they are in well-ventilated spaces, wash hands frequently, and avoid sneezing or coughing around other people.

“What we’re saying is, ‘Once you’ve been fully vaccinated, continue to play it safe, because you could end up as part of a transmission chain.’ You may not actually be fully protected,” said Dr. Bruce Aylward, a senior adviser to the W.H.O. He added, “I think the first message we want to be careful about is saying, ‘Once you’re vaccinated, you can just go ahead and do whatever.’”

The comments were made in the context of broader statements criticizing the inequitable distribution of vaccines around the globe and the lack of access to vaccination in many parts of the world where the virus is spreading.

Covax, the W.H.O. program that poor countries rely on for vaccines, has “zero doses” of AstraZeneca or Johnson & Johnson vaccines, or those made by the Serum Institute of India, available for distribution, Dr. Aylward said. While less than 2 percent of the population of Africa is vaccinated, some countries are purchasing vaccines for young people who are at relatively low risk from the virus, he noted.

Even in countries where there are

ample supplies of vaccine, full vaccination rates are lower than they could be, Dr. Alyward said.

Though fully vaccinated people are largely protected from symptomatic and asymptomatic coronavirus infections, studies suggest the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine’s efficacy against the Delta variant is slightly lower than against other variants; the efficacy is significantly lower for individuals who have received only one dose of the vaccine.

And countries with relatively high vaccination rates have seen an uptick in infections driven by the Delta variant: Britain, where some two-thirds of the population has received at least one dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or AstraZeneca vaccine and just under half have received two doses, is nonetheless grappling with a sharp rise in infections from the variant.

In Israel, which has one of the highest vaccination rates in the world, a rise in cases attributed to the Delta variant has led the government to reimpose mask mandates indoors and at large outdoor gatherings.

Given how pernicious and fast moving the variant is, “the vaccine approach is not enough,” said Eric Feigl-Ding, senior fellow at the Federation of American Scientists in Washington. “We’re not at the level of vaccinations where we can release the brakes on everything else and herd immunity will grind transmissions to a halt.”

Other scientists disagreed, saying guidance has to be more nuanced and tailored to local communities, varying according to vaccination rates and infection rates.

“The W.H.O. is looking at a world that is largely unvaccinated, so this makes sense,” said Dr. Ashish Jha, the dean of the Brown University School of Public Health.

In parts of the United States with low vaccination rates, too, masks may be appropriate, and recommendations should be tailored appropriately, he added: “If I were living in Missouri or Wyoming or Mississippi, places with low vaccination rates, I would not be excited about going indoors without wearing a mask — even though I’m vaccinated.”

Mixing Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines provides strong protection, according to a preliminary study: For the first wave of volunteers, the researchers waited four weeks between doses. Studies have found that the AstraZeneca vaccine provides stronger protection if the second dose is delayed for up to 12 weeks, so the researchers are also running a separate 12-week trial which should deliver results next month.

A third dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine is found to boost immune response: A third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford generated a strong immune response in clinical trial volunteers, Oxford researchers reported on Monday.

The finding indicates that the AstraZeneca vaccine could be an option should third shots end up being needed, for example, to extend immunity. To date, the vac-

cine has been given as two doses, typically between four and 12 weeks apart.

The new data, detailed in a preprint manuscript that has not yet been peer reviewed, came from 90 study volunteers in Britain who were among the earliest to receive the shots in a clinical trial last year. This past March, they were given a third dose, roughly 30 weeks after their second. Laboratory analyses showed that the third dose increased levels of antibodies to the virus in the volunteers to a point higher than seen a month after their second dose — an encouraging sign that the third shot would be likely to bring greater protection if the effectiveness of two doses waned over time.

“We do have to be in a position where we could boost if it turned out that was necessary,” Prof. Andrew Pollard, an Oxford researcher who has led studies of the vaccine, said in a news conference

on Monday. “I think we have encouraging data in this preprint to show that boosters could be used and would be effective at boosting the immune response.”

Scientists and policymakers do not yet know whether booster shots may be needed.

The AstraZeneca vaccine has won authorization in 80 countries since last December but is not approved for use in the United States, which already has more than enough doses of its three authorized vaccines to meet demand. The shot has been the backbone of the struggling Covax program to provide vaccines to poor countries, accounting for more than 88 percent of the doses shipped out to middle- and low-income nations through last week.

AstraZeneca announced on Sunday that the first volunteers had been vaccinated in a separate study assessing a new version of the vaccine designed to protect against the Beta variant of the virus first seen in South Africa. Some study results suggested that the original version of the AstraZeneca vaccine may not be effective against that variant. Professor Pollard said the study would compare the effects of a third dose of the original vaccine against those of boosting volunteers with the new Beta-targeted vaccine • Spain lifted restrictions on British visitors on May 24 as they rely heavily on British visitors in the summer tourism season.

• Young people in Greece will be offered an incentive to get vaccinated, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Monday, in the form of a “freedom pass” of 150 euros, about $180, in prepaid credit to be spent on tourism, culture and travel. The pass will be available from July 15 for people ages 18 to 25 who have had at least one shot.

SAN PEDRO HIGH SCHOOL

Vacancies exist for the following posts at San Pedro High School for the academic school year 2021-2022: • English Language/English Literature Temporary posts (September to November) • Business Studies Applicants must have a first degree in the subject area to be taught. Teaching experience in the position applying for will be an asset. Experience with online teaching will be an asset also.

Applicants must also have excellent communication and interpersonal skills and be willing to work with students.

Applications should be submitted in writing along with a resume, copies of certificates, transcript, letters of recommendation and teacher’s license (must).

Salary will be in accordance with Government’s pay scale, which is based on qualifications.

Applications must be addressed to:

Principal P.O. Box 23 San Pedro High School San Pedro Town, A.C. Deadline for Applications: July 19, 2021.

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Celebrating Caribbean Fisherfolk Day 2021 – “Better Care for a Better Share” June 29th is recognized as International Fisherman’s Day and the Ministry of Blue Economy and Civil Aviation joins our Caribbean countries in celebrating Caribbean Fisherfolk Day. Caribbean Fisherfolk Day is being celebrated under the theme established by the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) titled “Better Care for a Better Share.” This celebration comes alongside the observation of CARICOM Week from June 28 to July 9, 2021 under the theme “I AM

CARICOM.” Fisherfolks play an important role in Belize as primary producers through fisheries production. In 2020, there were a total of 3,188 licensed fishers and 871 licensed fishing vessels engaged in smallscale commercial fishing. The capture fisheries sector contributed approximately US$17.25 million in export earnings in 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic has further ECONOMIST III highlighted the importance of fisherfolks The Central Bank invites qualified individuals to join its Research Department. and fisheries where it has been able to sustain economic and employment opportunities for fishers during this very diffiThe Economist III will conduct research, prepare and edit macroeconomic analytical reports on Belize and on economic issues. The incumbent will analyze underlying trends and forecast key economic variables; assist cult time. with the development of economic statistical information and databases; assist with and develop policy Fishers are stewards of our fisheries recommendations; and contribute to educational activities as required by the Central Bank. The Economist III resources and the Ministry encourages will also:all fishers to embrace this year’s theme ‘“Better Care for a Better Share.” The ▪ Collect, analyze, and verify economic data from primary and secondary sources and monitor performance of various economic sectors, including the real, monetary, fiscal and external sectors of sustainability of the fisheries resources in the economy; Belize highly depends on the responsible stewardship of the resources by fisher▪ Provide specialist advice based on applications of economic theory and knowledge; folks and it is in this spirit that fishers are ▪ Conduct research, produce research papers, and provide recommendations on economic challenges encouraged to take care of the fisheries and issues; resources, which in return will result in ▪ Keep abreast of economic developments and trends; greater returns and economic benefits.

The Ministry also takes this opportu▪ Represent the Central Bank at domestic or international forums; and nity to congratulate Ms. Maria Allen, fish▪ Perform other assigned duties. erwoman from Caye Caulker, who is recThe applicant should possess the following: ognized as Fisher of the Year 2021.

HAPPY CARIBBEAN FISHERFOLK DAY 2021.

Obituary

Brian Leo Batty

Education and Experience

▪

A Master’s Degree in Economics or Finance from a recognized university is preferred. Relevant experience would be an asset; or

▪

A Bachelor’s Degree in Economics or Finance from a recognized university. Relevant experience would be an asset.

Technical Knowledge ▪ Knowledge of the Central Bank Act and the Domestic Banks and Financial Institutions Act; knowledge of all sectors of the economy and their interlinkage; strong knowledge of economic principles and theory; strong mathematical and numeracy skills; proficient in use of software applications and statistical packages, such as EViews, STATA, and SPSS; strong ability to apply theoretical and/or empirical economic analysis to develop policy recommendations.

Competencies ▪ Communication Skills; Interpersonal Skills; Results Orientation; Flexibility/Adaptability; Teamwork and Cooperation; Initiative and Drive; Diagnostic Information Gathering; Analytical Thinking.

Submit the following documents by Wednesday, 14 July 2021:

▪ ▪ ▪ ▪

Sunrise March 5, 1984 Sunset June 30, 2021

Heartfelt condolences to his wife, children and family. May his soul rest in peace and rise in Eternal Glory.

Central Bank Employment Application Form (available online) Curriculum Vitae Three (3) references (one must be from previous employer) Copies of university transcripts, degrees, and any other personal certificates Applications should be addressed to: Manager, Human Resources Department Central Bank of Belize P O Box 852 or Gabourel Lane Belize City, BELIZE Ref: Economist III - Research Department Email: hr@centralbank.org.bz or online at www.centralbank.org.bz (All applications will be held in strict confidence.)

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Notice #: 202106-29-01

Belize Water Services (BWS) invites qualified applicants to fill the post of Resident Consultant Engineer at our Corporate Headquarters in Belize City.

Summary: This is a highly skilled, administrative, technical and professional level position which will be BWS’s primary representative on contracted water utilities and/or water infrastructure construction projects. The Resident Consultant Engineer will be responsible for the careful planning, effective communication with the project team, field supervision and proactive risk management to mitigate or eliminate project risks associated with schedule, budget, safety or quality compliance.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 1. Developing project objectives by reviewing project proposals and plans, conferring with management.

2. Determining project responsibilities by identifying project phase and elements, assigning personnel to phases and elements, reviewing bids from contractors.

3. Determining project specifications by studying product design, customer requirements and performance standards, completing technical studies, preparing cost estimates.

4. Confirming product performance by designing and conducting tests.

5. Determining project schedule by studying project plan and specifications, calculating time requirements, sequencing project elements.

6. Monitoring project schedule by monitoring project progress, coordinating activities, resolving problems.

7. Controlling project plans by reviewing design, specifications and plan and schedule changes, recommending actions.

8. Controlling project costs by approving expenditures, administering contractor contracts.

Note: Management reserves the right to vary the duties as assigned which would reasonable be within the scope of the position.

Supervisory Responsibilities: The ability to effectively interact with employees and outside professionals at all levels and in all forums is key to the success of this position. The position trains, mentors, coaches and evaluates skilled and semi-skilled technical personnel and delegates complex task assignments in order to accomplish assigned tasks. Work is performed under limited supervision.

Qualifications/Requirements: • Master’s or Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in civil engineering and five years of full time civil engineering experience, at least two of which involved structural or hydraulic design, water supply planning and wastewater management and project management at the senior level.

• Must have experience working with international donor agencies such as the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), ect.

• Must possess considerable knowledge of the investigation, design and construction of water utilities and/or water infrastructure construction.

• Knowledge of bill of quantities.

• Good communication skills and the ability to manage and coordinate other inspection of project.

• Must be competent in the use of a personal computer and software including Microsoft Word, Excel, Project and Outlook.

• Must possess analysis and design skills, Project Management, Manufacturing Methods and Process Improvement, Technical Understanding, Documentation Skills, Safety Management, Supervision, Computer- Aided Design (CAD).

• Knowledge of Civil Engineering principles, practices and methods, particularly as applied to water utilities, Engineering Economics including cost/ benefit analyses, local laws and regulations governing the operation of water facilities, water treatment processes, environmental regulations and workplace safety, engineering project management methods and techniques, budget administration principles of employee supervision and personnel management.

Kindly submit applications to: Human Resources Manager Belize Water Services Limited @ hr@bwsl.com.bz Only electronic applications are being accepted at this time And only candidates who have been shortlisted will be contacted.

Deadline: Friday, July 14, 2021

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