La Ruta Maya River Challenge – Beacon for A Successful Sport

Keynote address by Hon. Gilroy Usher Minister of State for Youth, Sports, and Transport.

Governor General Froyla Tzalam, Ministers of Government, members of the Belize City Council, paddlers of the various teams and their service crews, the staff of Love F.M. under the leadership of Dr. Rene Villanueva, Belizeans from all across our beautiful country, vendors, invited guests, members of the media.

On behalf of the Minister of Youth, Sports, and Transport, Hon. Rodwell Ferguson, who could not be here today due to a government commitment, I extend a warm welcome to the award ceremony for the conclusion of 26th Annual Belikin La Ruta Maya River Challenge 2023.

For enduring four days of tough paddling all the way from San Ignacio to Belize City all the teams especially the champions in the different categories as well as the young and senior paddlers deserve a round of applause.

Willing as the teams may be, the Belikin La Ruta Maya River Challenge would not be possible without the sponsors and the organizing committee of Love FM; they too deserve a round of applause.

Already the biggest race in the country the Belikin La Ruta Maya Challenge is bigger every year because of three main things: Strong competition, proper management, and cooperation.

Fans and sponsors like strong, healthy, and respectful competition. That is great for a family outing and promotion for sponsors. We can therefore look forward to more sponsorship for this event and greater attendance by fans in the years ahead. As mentioned above, the appeal of the Belikin La Ruta Maya River Challenge is also growing rapidly as a result of proper management. Extensive planning with all the stakeholders begins only a few months after a race to ensure everything is in place and that everything flows smoothly for the next race from the requirements for teams to the distribution of prizes at the official ceremony,

Last but not least, cooperation with all the stakeholders plays a major role in the success of the Belikin La Ruta Maya River Challenge. From the start of the race in San Ignacio to the stop in Ba- nana Bank; then, Double Head Cabbage followed Burrell Boom, and finally at the BelCan Bridge in Belize City organizers, residents, fans, law enforcement, and teams all work together for the greater good of the canoe river race and the country.

For the strong competition, proper management, and cooperation that have enabled the Belikin La Ruta Maya River Challenge to continue broaden its appeal to the public we all deserve a round of applause.

Despite limited resources this administration supports sports including La Ruta Maya, because it recognizes the importance of the discipline in growing the economy and molding our youths to be law-abiding and productive Belizeans.

It is therefore good to know that following the end of Covid-19 through the National Sports Council (NSC) the administration has been working in every possible way with the different sporting organizations for basketball, football, cricket, softball, cycling, sailing, and numerous other sports to broaden the appeal of their organizations to the public with strong competition, proper management, and cooperation – the same three qualities that have made the Belikin La Ruta Maya River Challenge one of the most successful sports in the country for its teams, fans, sponsors, and the nation.

As we aim to take all sports to a higher level in Belize, let us remember these very important words of Winston Churchill, “A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity. An optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”

Congratulations to all the teams that participated in the 26th annual Belikin La Ruta Maya River Challenge, Congratulations to all the winners, Long live La Ruta Maya River Challenge, and long live Belize!

Thank you.

All Taxpayers Required To File Tax Returns And Pay Taxes Online

Pursuant to Section 22 (2)(c) of The Tax Administration and Procedure Act, Chapter 51 Revised Edition 2020 (TAPA), which grants the Director General of the Belize Tax Service Department (BTSD) the authority to specify the manner in which returns should be filed, including electronically and with electronic signature, the Director General hereby notifies ALL taxpayers that effective April 1, 2023 they will be required to file tax returns and pay all taxes administered by the BTSD online.

In September 2021, the BTSD implemented the Integrated Revenue Information System (IRIS Belize) online portal. Only Large Taxpayers were required to utilize the portal, while all other taxpayers were encouraged to sign up and commence using IRIS Belize voluntarily. However, as part of a phased approach to fully implementing IRIS Belize, as of April 1, 2023, it is mandatory that every taxpayer is registered for an IRIS Belize account.

Commencing with the tax period ending 31st March 2023, and for subsequent tax periods, taxpayers must electronically file with the BTSD a return required to be filed for the tax period under the relevant tax law and make payment. The Department will no longer be accepting tax payments or filing of tax returns in the office. Payment and returns will only be accepted through the portal. This is aimed at making filing tax returns and paying taxes faster, more convenient, and free while ensuring and fostering the safety and security of the BTSD employees, as well as taxpayers. Equally, this will assist BTSD in providing more efficient and timely service to our taxpayers.

Please be reminded that per the governing tax Acts: The TAPA; The Income and Business Tax Act, Chapter 55 Revised Edition 2020; and The General Sales Tax Act, Chapter 63 Revised Edition 2020 of the Laws of Belize, each taxpayer is under an obligation to pay taxes AND file a return on or before the deadline for each respective tax type.

To register for an IRIS Belize account, visit https://www.irisbelize.bts.gov.bz/CreateAccount

In order to facilitate the transition process, taxpayers may seek technical assistance from the IRIS Belize HELP DESK which may be contacted via telephone at +501 613-8375; +501 6132773; +501 614-5731; +501 613-4711; or email at onlineaccounts_bz@bts.gov.bz during the hours of 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM on Mondays-Thursdays, and 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM on Fridays.

TENDER FOR THE SUPPLY OF FOOD ITEMS AND HOUSEHOLD SUNDRIES TO THE BELIZE COAST GUARD YEAR 2023 – 24

1. Tenders are invited for the supply of food items listed below to the Belize Coast Guard for the period 1st June 2023 to 31st May 2024.

2. Quotation for the supply of goods is to be based on Duty Paid Prices. Brand names are to be specified where necessary

3. Contract will be terminated if the contractor consistently fails to supply the requisite items as agreed.

4. The food and household sundries requirements are calculated by the month and are an estimate only. Orders by the Belize Coast Guard will fluctuate as necessary.

5. Tenders should be in sealed envelope address to the chairperson, Ministry of National Defence and Border Security, Belmopan, and marked “Tender for the Supply of Food, Household Sundries, Vegetables, and Meat for the Belize Coast Guard”. Envelopes should be deposited at Belmopan in the tender box no later than the 6th April 2023 at 1130 am.

6. Companies Registry Certificate to be submitted.

7. Social Security letter of good standing to be submitted.

8. Belize Sales Tax Letter to be submitted.

LIST OF FOOD ITEMS AND HOUSEHOLD SUNDRIES REQUIREMENT BELIZE COAST GUARD

Food allocation and household sundries are per month. Belize Coast Guard 2 ½ Miles George Price Highway, Belize FOOD (RATION) TENDERING FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023 – 24

TENDER FOR THE SUPPLY OF FOOD ITEMS AND HOUSEHOLD SUNDRIES TO THE BELIZE COAST GUARD YEAR 2023 – 24

TENDERING FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022 - 23

MEAT TENDERING FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022 - 23 FRUITS

Tender For The Supply Of Food Items And Household Sundries To The Belize Defence Force Fiscal Year

2023 – 2024

1.Tenders are invited for the supply of food items listed below to the Belize Defence force for the period 1st June 2023 to 31st May 2024.

2.Quotation for the supply of goods is to be based on Duty Paid Prices. Brand names are to be specified where necessary.

3.Contract will be terminated if the contractor consistently fails to supply the requisite items as agreed.

4.The food and household sundries requirements are calculated by the month and are an estimate only. Orders by the Belize Defence Force will fluctuate as necessary.

5.Tenders should be in a sealed envelope address to the chairperson, Ministry of National Defence and Border Security, Belmopan, and marked “Tender for the Supply of Food, Household Sundries, Vegetables, and Meat for the Belize Defence Force”. Envelopes should be deposited at Belmopan in the tender box no later than the 6th April 2023 at 11:30 am.

6.Companies Registry Certificate to be submitted.

7.Social Security letter of good standing to be submitted.

List Of Food Items And Household Sundries Requirement Belize

DEFENCE FORCE

Food allocation and household sundries are per month. Belize Defence Force, Price Barracks, Ladyville, Belize District

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