Belizeans React to Newly Designed Banknotes

Belize’s newly designed banknotes are the hot topic of conversation across the country. The fresh designs were unveiled on Thursday, with plans to start distribution by mid-year. To gauge public opinion, News Five conducted an online poll, revealing some interesting responses. A total of seven thousand, one hundred and ninety users responded. Three thousand, seven hundred and ninety-three responders voted that they did not like the new design. Only six hundred and seventy-five voted in favor of the design. Two thousand and ninety-two persons agreed that it looks like the Mexican pesos. Three hundred and sixty-five people appreciated the enhanced security features, while two hundred and sixty-five people could hardly be bothered by the new currency design. The poll received one hundred and forty-two comments and twenty-five shares. We also hit the streets to get reactions from everyday Belizeans. News Five’s Paul Lopez has the story.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

On Thursday, the Central Bank of Belize rolled out its newly designed currency notes at a special event in Belize City. The unveiling was attended by a host of government officials and other distinguished guests, marking an exciting moment for the nation. The public has had mixed reactions to the new currency designs, which now feature the faces of the Right Honorable George Cadle Price and Philip Goldson, replacing Queen Elizabeth II as the prominent figure. These notes also come with advanced security features to combat counterfeiting. News Five hit the streets of the Old Capital to get the public’s take on the new look.

 

Paul Lopez

“Right now I think George Price deh pan ih belly the turn over, because right now deh nuh the think bout the small people. We discuss bout the port, the sugar, the police, but yo nuh hear nothing the talk bout the poor man. The poor man the tek a lick right now.”

 

Belize City Resident #1

“The money we have right now is Queen Elizabeth.”

 

Paul Lopez

“Well that has changed. Have you seen it?”

 

Belize City Resident #1

“No I have never seen it.”

 

Paul Lopez

“Well, let me show you, so this is the new twenty dollar bill. This is the new fifty dollar bill and this is the new hundred dollar bill. What do you think?”

 

Belize City Resident #1

“Well that is that nuh.”

 

Belize City Resident #2

“I just feel like ih look like the Mexican money, the pesos. Ih nuh look good.”

 

The new hundred-dollar banknote is a tribute to Belize’s stunning marine attractions and aquatic life, showcasing the Queen Triggerfish, the Hawksbill turtle, and the iconic Great Blue Hole as its background image. It also proudly features a portrait of the Right Honorable George Cadle Price. Meanwhile, the fifty-dollar note highlights Belize’s rich archaeological heritage with images of Lamanai, Xunantunich, and Caracol, along with a portrait of Philip Goldson.

 

Paul Lopez

“What do you think, do you like it?”

 

Belize City Resident #3

“Well actually yeah.”

 

Belize City Resident #4

“Ih look good to, ih look good.”

 

Paul Lopez

“So which do you prefer the queen face or we national heroes?”

 

Belize City Resident #4

“We national heroes because we celebrate independence to, so might as well we do we own thing to.”

 

Belize City Resident #5

“The queen face should remain on the money, because from when I was a little girl the queen face was on the money. So, why would they want to remove the queen off of it now.”

 

Paul Lopez

“Now if I come and give you a hundred dollars with George Price face on it would you take it?”

 

Belize City Resident #5

“Dah money, suh we wah tek it. But I still feel the queen face should remain on the money.”

 

Belize City Resident #6

“I would prefer the queen face still, because I think in the longer run the money might devalue.”

 

Addressing concerns about devaluation, Central Bank Governor Kareem Michael assured everyone during Thursday’s unveiling ceremony that the value of the new banknotes will remain unchanged.

 

Kareem Michael, Governor, Central Bank of Belize

“I would like to reemphasize that when we put the new series of notes into circulation there will be absolutely no change in its value. Today one U.S. dollar is equivalent to two Belizean dollar. This will not change. The value one Belize dollar after the new bank note is put into circulation will remain the same.”

 

The new banknotes are set to enter circulation between June and July this year. In addition to the one hundred and the fifty-dollar notes, the newly designed twenty-dollar note showcases Belize’s vibrant jungle life. The ten-dollar note celebrates the country’s diverse bird species, while the five-dollar note highlights historic buildings. The two-dollar note beautifully features Belize’s stunning waterfalls and rivers.

 

Iraqi, Tourist

“In Iraq we have the president Sadam Husein, but he is no more. They changed that. It use to be all Sadam Husein picture in all currency and they changed it. It is now like whatever is a part of the history of Iraq so they changed it. Nobody’s face.”

 

Paul Lopez

“And how did the people take to that?”

 

Iraqi Tourist

“They don’t care, they have to live with it and they take it.”

 

Paul Lopez

“Because it has the same value.”

 

Iraqi Tourist

“Exactly.”

 

Belize City Resident #7

“Ih the show we pan the money now, the Belizean people.”

 

Paul Lopez

“You feel ih more relatable now to see a black man on the money?”

 

Belize City Resident #7

“Yes man. People say the money ah devalue. I don’t understand it. It is just a picture.”

 

Belize City Resident #8

“It is what it is. I wah deh pan the side and sih how things wah play out. I think deh bally do deh homework. So I nuh think we wah face no consequences ah it.”

 

Paul Lopez for News Five.