The Social Security Board (SSB) announced its most substantial scholarship distribution to date, awarding 80 scholarships in its 23rd Annual Scholarship Award Ceremony. SSB says since the initiative launched in 2001, it has supported over 1,000 students across Belize. This year, the Board received 212 applications from students seeking financial assistance for high school, associate degrees, and vocational-technical education.
Selection criteria included financial need, defined as an annual family income of $25,000 or less, a minimum grade requirement of 80%, and the ability to overcome adversity as demonstrated through essay submissions.
The 80 scholarships awarded this year are the highest number in the program’s history, reflecting an increased community need. The distribution includes 35 high school scholarships, 27 for associate degrees, and 18 for vocational-technical studies. Recipients hail from diverse regions such as Corozal, Orange Walk, Belize City, Belmopan, Santa Elena, Dangriga, Independence, and Punta Gorda.
A 32-year-old man from Corozal Town, Aurelio Perez Jr., was killed in a tragic road accident on the Phillip Goldson Highway on Thursday, August 1st. The incident occurred between miles 81 and 82 around 9:27 p.m. Perez was riding a 24-inch Beach cruiser when an unidentified vehicle struck him from behind, causing fatal injuries. Despite being rushed to the Corozal Community Hospital, Perez was pronounced dead. The police are actively investigating the accident, and a post-mortem examination is pending.
A fire severely damaged a wooden and plycem house on Antelope Street Extension, Belize City, on Friday, August 2nd. The blaze was reported around 11:45 a.m. while the homeowner, Mary Meighan, 35, was at work. Firefighters quickly extinguished the flames. The cause of the fire remains undetermined. There are no reports of any injury.
The Judiciary of Belize, led by Chief Justice Hon. Madam Louise Esther Blenman, has announced with profound sorrow the passing of Former Chief Justice Dr. the Hon. Abdulai O. Conteh, who served as the 28th Chief Justice of Belize from 2000 to 2010.
Dr. Conteh’s tenure was distinguished by his unwavering dedication to the rule of law, his fidelity to the Belizean constitution, and his significant contributions to the nation’s jurisprudence. Renowned for his erudition and brilliant legal mind, Dr. Conteh was a fair and fearless jurist who served Belize with exceptional distinction.
During his decade-long leadership, Former Chief Justice Conteh introduced stability and reform to the judicial system. His commitment to justice and equality, along with his modernization efforts, left an indelible mark. Notably, his landmark rulings continue to stand as exemplary models of judicial excellence.
In 2005, Dr. Conteh implemented new Judges’ Rules, Supreme Court Rules, and a Code of Ethics, establishing a rigorous framework for the practice and delivery of law. His impact extended beyond Belize, earning him respect and recognition across the Caribbean and the wider Commonwealth for his scholarly judgments.
As the legal community mourns his passing, it also celebrates his life and legacy. Dr. Conteh was more than a distinguished jurist; he was a mentor, guide, and source of inspiration for many. His work has laid a solid foundation for future generations, ensuring his legacy endures.
Chief Justice Blenman, on behalf of the Judiciary and people of Belize, extends deepest condolences to Dr. Conteh’s family, friends, and colleagues.
The U.S. State Department has issued an updated travel warning for Jamaica, urging travellers to’reconsider’ visiting the popular Caribbean destination. The advisory, released on July 25, cites a high rate of violent crime and inadequate medical services as primary concerns.
Originally issued in February, the alert highlights a rise in serious incidents such as home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and murders, including some occurring at well-known all-inclusive resorts. The U.S. Embassy has reported insufficient responses to these crimes and a lack of successful prosecutions.
While tourist areas generally experience fewer violent crimes, Jamaica’s overall homicide rate remains one of the highest in the Western world. The advisory has placed Jamaica at Level 3, advising travellers to “reconsider travel,” alongside countries like Egypt and Pakistan.
Healthcare conditions also pose significant risks. Emergency response times are slow, and private hospitals require payment upfront. Ambulance services, particularly in rural areas, may lack trained personnel. Travellers are advised to carry their own prescription medications and secure comprehensive travel insurance, including medical evacuation coverage.
The State Department continues to monitor the situation and advises travellers to exercise extreme caution.
Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labour, and Local Government, Valentino Shal, and his delegation engaged in high-level discussions on labour migration during a workshop held from July 30 to August 1 in Costa Rica.
The workshop, organised by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Regional Conference on Migration, focused on advancing labour traceability systems and migration mechanisms across Central America.
The study’s goal is to evaluate the feasibility and conditions necessary for implementing labour migration mechanisms and technological tools for migration management. During their visit, CEO Shal and Labour Commissioner Rissela Dominguez Patt engaged in a technical meeting with Costa Rican officials, including representatives from the Ministry of Labour, the Immigration Institute, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
CEO Shal, in his capacity as representative of Belize’s Pro Tempore Presidency of the Regional Conference on Migration, delivered both the opening and closing statements at the session. The workshop highlighted the pressing need for safe and efficient management of migrant labour flows across regional borders.
For this year’s World Breastfeeding Week, running from August 1 to August 7, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) are calling for enhanced global support for breastfeeding.
The appeal, voiced by UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell and WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, highlights a notable increase in exclusive breastfeeding rates over the past 12 years, now at 48% for infants under six months. This rise brings the world closer to the WHO’s 2025 target of 50%.
Despite this progress, significant challenges persist. Proper breastfeeding support can save over 820,000 children’s lives annually and is crucial for protecting infants’ health during emergencies by providing a reliable, nutritious food source. Breastfeeding also benefits mothers by reducing the risk of certain cancers and noncommunicable diseases.
This year’s theme, “Closing the gap: Breastfeeding support for all,” emphasises the need for equitable support systems. To advance breastfeeding support, UNICEF and WHO advocate for increased investment in relevant programs, family-friendly workplace policies, and robust monitoring of breastfeeding practices and policies.
The NOAA reports that a well-defined tropical wave is currently causing scattered showers and thunderstorms across eastern Cuba, Hispaniola, the southeastern Bahamas, and Jamaica, along with adjacent waters. The system is expected to continue moving over Cuba today and enter the Straits of Florida by tonight or Saturday.
Environmental conditions are predicted to be favourable for further development, with a tropical depression likely forming this weekend over the Straits of Florida or eastern Gulf of Mexico. Tropical storm watches or warnings may be issued for parts of Florida later today.
Residents in Florida, Cuba, and the Bahamas are advised to monitor updates closely. A NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft is scheduled to investigate the system later today. Regardless of development, heavy rainfall is anticipated, which could lead to flash flooding in these areas.
In June 2024, Belize experienced a significant economic shift as total imports surged by 18.4% while domestic exports plummeted by 37.7%, according to the Statistical Institute of Belize.
Belize’s total imports for June 2024 were valued at $243.4 million, marking an 18.4% increase from June 2023’s $205.5 million. This rise was driven by notable increases across almost all commodity categories, particularly in ‘Mineral Fuels & Lubricants,’ ‘Food and Live Animals,’ and ‘Machinery and Transport Equipment.’ However, there were decreases in ‘Beverages and Tobacco’ and goods destined for ‘Designated Processing Areas.’
Key Increases in Import Categories
– Mineral Fuels and Lubricants:This category saw an increase of $14.8 million, rising from $25.5 million to $40.2 million due to higher imports of kerosene, LPG, regular, and diesel fuels, along with purchases of premium fuel not seen in June 2023.
– Food and Live Animals: Imports in this category jumped by 30.3%, from $23.8 million to $31 million, driven by significant rises in wheat and coffee imports.
– Machinery and Transport Equipment: This category rose by $6.9 million, from $46.4 million to $53.4 million, due to imports of high-value items such as yachts, boat engines, and an air tractor airplane.
– Chemical Products: Increased imports of fertilizers and laboratory supplies led to a $4.3 million rise, from $20.9 million in June 2023 to $25.2 million in June 2024.
Notable Decreases in Import Categories
– Designated Processing Areas: Imports for this category declined by $5.5 million, from $22.7 million to $17.3 million, due to reduced purchases of steel drums and shrimp feed.
– Beverages and Tobacco: Imports in this category fell by 41.1%, from $6.7 million to $4 million, mainly due to decreased purchases of alcoholic beverages.
First Six Months of 2024
From January to June 2024, Belize’s merchandise imports totaled $1.479 billion, a 14.7% increase from the $1.290 billion recorded during the same period in 2023.
Exports Overview
In stark contrast, Belize’s domestic exports for June 2024 fell sharply by 37.7%, totaling $25.8 million compared to $41.4 million in June 2023. This decline was primarily due to a significant drop in sugar sales to the European Union and other countries, as well as reduced volumes of animal feed exports to Central America.
Key Decreases in Export Categories
– Sugar: Earnings from sugar exports fell by 15%, from $75.8 million in the first half of 2023 to $64.1 million in the same period of 2024.
– Marine Products: Exports of marine products declined by $4.4 million, from $16.8 million to $12.4 million, due to reduced shipments of lobster products, shrimp, and conch.
– Citrus Products: Earnings from citrus products decreased by $4.2 million, from $16.9 million to $12.7 million, due to lower exports of orange concentrate and orange oil.
– Animal Feed: Sales plummeted by 66.8%, from $25 million to $8.3 million.
Increases in Export Categories
Despite the overall decline, there were gains in some export categories. Banana exports rose from $24.9 million to $42.3 million, and other exports such as cattle, alcoholic beverages, crude soybean oil, and wooden furniture increased from $21.6 million to $28.5 million. Additionally, earnings from molasses grew by $2.1 million, from $13.8 million to $15.8 million.
The Statistical Institute of Belize’s latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) survey revealed a national inflation rate of 3.7 percent for June 2024. The All-Items CPI, summarising price levels across all consumer goods and services, rose to 118.4 from 114.1 in June 2023.
Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages:
The ‘Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages’ category experienced a 6.1 percent inflation rate, driven by a 6.3 percent increase in food prices. Significant hikes were noted in fresh vegetables (17.8 percent), cereals (4.1 percent), fruits (8.9 percent), dairy products (4.6 percent), seafood (14.4 percent), and ready-made foods (5 percent). Prices for non-alcoholic beverages climbed by 4.7 percent, with notable increases in fruit and vegetable juices.
Restaurants and Accommodation Services:
This category saw a 7.6 percent increase, primarily due to higher prices for restaurant and café services.
Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas, and Other Fuels:
The inflation rate for this category was 2.4 percent, driven by higher home rental costs. However, the price of a 100-pound cylinder of liquified petroleum gas (LPG) dropped by $3.83, from $118.90 in June 2023 to $115.08 in June 2024.
Personal Care, Social Protection, and Miscellaneous Goods and Services:
Prices in this category rose by 4.5 percent, with increases in personal care products such as deodorants, hand lotions, and perfumes.
Furnishings, Household Equipment, and Routine Household Maintenance:
This category saw a 4.2 percent rise, mainly due to higher prices for household cleaning products and daycare services.
Transport:
The ‘Transport’ category recorded a 1.5 percent increase. Regular gasoline prices rose by $0.34, diesel by $0.50, and premium gasoline by $0.03. However, passenger transport services prices fell, largely due to a 17.7 percent drop in international airfares.
Alcoholic Beverages, Tobacco, and Narcotics:
This category increased by 4.3 percent due to higher prices for cigarettes and beers.
Clothing and Footwear:
Prices in this category went up by 3.1 percent, driven by increased costs for men’s and women’s garments.
Health:
The ‘Health’ category saw a 4.5 percent inflation rate, with higher prices for over-the-counter medications and other medical supplies.
Recreation, Sport, and Culture:
This category rose by 2.3 percent, due to higher costs for pet food, gaming equipment, and cultural services.
Information and Communication:
In contrast, the ‘Information and Communication’ category recorded a 2 percent decrease, attributed to lower prices for items such as cellular phones and television sets.
Month-Over-Month Inflation Rate:
Consumer prices fell by a marginal 0.1 percent from May to June 2024. The ‘Transport’ category saw a 0.9 percent decrease, reflecting reductions in diesel and regular gasoline prices. The ‘Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas, and Other Fuels’ category fell by 0.5 percent due to lower LPG prices. However, these decreases were balanced by a 0.6 percent rise in the ‘Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages’ category.
Year-to-Date Inflation Rate:
For the first half of 2024, the year-to-date inflation rate stood at 3.9 percent. Notable increases were observed in food products, restaurant services, and home rentals. The ‘Restaurant and Accommodation Services’ category rose by 10.4 percent, and ‘Personal Care, Social Protection, and Miscellaneous Goods and Services’ increased by 4.9 percent. ‘Furnishings, Household Equipment, and Routine Household Maintenance’ climbed by 4.3 percent. The ‘Alcoholic Beverages, Tobacco, and Narcotics’ category rose by 4.9 percent, while ‘Health’ saw a 5.7 percent increase. The ‘Information and Communication’ category, however, fell by 1.7 percent.
Inflation Rates by Municipality:
Belmopan recorded the highest inflation rate at 8.4 percent in June 2024, driven by increases in food, home rentals, and personal care products. Dangriga Town had the lowest inflation rate at 1.5 percent, with smaller price increases in cigarettes, cellular phones, and television sets.
