Regional/International - Channel 5 Belize

Chamber Warns: Dockworkers Strike Threatens to Escalate Inflation

As we reported on Tuesday, dockworkers on the U.S. East Coast have launched an indefinite strike against port managers, demanding higher wages and a ban on automated equipment. This labor dispute has significant implications for Belize. Jody Williams, Vice President of the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry, warns that the impasse could drive up the cost of imports from the U.S. East Coast. If local stocks run out before the strike is resolved, Belizean importers and wholesalers will be forced to seek alternative sources, likely leading to soaring prices.

Jody Williams, Vice President, Belize Chamber of Commerce & Industry

“Here in Belize, you know, we import a lot of products, especially perishables and food products from the US. So. Right now, as we speak, we have the entire East Coast starting in the north from Maine, straight down to New York, down North Carolina, straight to Florida, and then taking that swing into the Gulf, you know, up to Houston. All of that is closed. And we can see here most of our imports come from that side of the US., whether through Florida, through New York, or through the Gulf, you know, from Houston. And definitely they will have not only national implications, but a global supply chain problem, because other than that, the most serious problem we see here, Marion, is that there’s no timeline or end date for this strike. It’s just begun. It could go on for weeks. It could go on for months. We will have shortages on the shelf. Um, it could be anywhere from one to two weeks, but it definitely will after the two weeks. We will see some problems, especially when we are here consuming these products and then now it can’t come to Belize due to the strike happening, so it won’t take long. And also for exports, you know, exporters that can’t get their products into the US market and they could say, okay, well, we’re going to use the West Coast, you know, ship through California, but we could see that most of our businesses get products from closer to the East side and central US. So that extra inland trucking, any business would incur ten to twenty percent more freight and other costs to do extra inland freight. And other than that, you know, we will see price increases and not only at the wholesale level, but also in the retail on the shelf. And, we know, Marion, that when there is a scarcity of goods, especially on the shelf, and there’s such limited supply, you know, a lot of times we will see those items price go up.”

If Strike Drags On, Xmas Hams Could Be Imported from Mexico

Williams, who also holds a stake in Marie Sharp Fine Foods, highlights that the strike will impact exporters like their company, which are striving to get Belizean products into the U.S. East Coast market. Additionally, there is growing concern among importers of perishable goods, such as hams and other frozen foods, which wholesalers are beginning to stock up on for Thanksgiving and Christmas. The strike could disrupt these crucial holiday imports, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.

Jody Willams, Vice President, Belize Chamber of Commerce & Industry

“Just for a real-life example, like, you know, we at Murray sharp, you know, we right now we have to ship to a private port. In Pennsylvania, and this private port will be the only entry into the East Coast. But for us to use that port, you know, we are incurring extra costs. And then the thing is, these are a lot of uncertainty because more than likely, we’re not the only persons using that port. So we will also see congestion at that port. So how long will that congestion take place? And how long will it take for ships to dock in? And the same thing to get products to Belize, then businesses will have to either absorb the cost and leave the prices the same or they would have to pass those increasing costs to the final consumer. And right now, as we speak, you know, we have inflation in Belize. And, you know, definitely we’ll see a little hike up due to this global supply chain problem. And that’s the thing, Marion, as well, before this shot, before this strike happening, there were also other problems happening, like the Red Sea, and the drought at the Panama Canal. So this is just another shock to our supply chain and another potential increase to inflation in Belize and around the world. We try to be resilient. We’re looking for other ways to probably get containers to Belize, other two other ports from the West coast. Well, definitely we will see increasing costs in trying to do so. Around the countries. Yes, and that’s another thing. We can’t get the butter from the US. We can’t get the ham. Well, we have to look at Mexico, look at Guatemala, look at El Salvador. I think since COVID, you know, we have seen products from those countries import into Belize from those countries increase. And, you know, after COVID we’ve learned a lot. We have sometimes tiptoed trying to find new ways. And I think that this will probably, you know, we will see ham from those countries entering the country while this strike happens.”

The Road Towards A CARICOM Single Market Economy

The CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) is an ambitious economic integration initiative designed to create a unified market for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). This visionary concept was first introduced in 1989 during the Tenth Meeting of the CARICOM Heads of Government. Fast forward thirty-five years, and while there have been some strides forward, the journey towards fully realizing this single market remains fraught with challenges. Countries like Belize, facing these persistent obstacles, are increasingly seeking trade partnerships beyond CARICOM. In response to these ongoing issues, a delegation from the CSME has arrived in Belize to hear these concerns firsthand and gather recommendations for improvement. News Five’s Paul Lopez brings us the latest on this developing story.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

A delegation from the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) has arrived in Belize for a pivotal three-day mission. Organized by the CARICOM Secretariat, this visit aims to bolster regional cooperation and advance the development of a dynamic CARICOM Single Market. Leading the charge is Titus Preville, the Director of the CARICOM Single Market, who is set to engage with local stakeholders and address key issues to drive this ambitious integration forward.

Leo Titus Preville, Director, CARICOM Single Market

“The Secretariat is adopting a listening mode. We will be adopting a listening mode, in listening to the stakeholders and haring from them, what are some of their concerns with the CSME, how is it working or not working for them.”

Today, the CARICOM Secretariat team met with members of the public, including young professionals, union members, local government representatives and students from tertiary institutions.

Thomas Serrut, Galen University Economics Major

“What peaks my interest is open markets. There are many different currencies spread out across the Caribbean, but if we want to establish something similar to the EU then perhaps we should look at introducing a single currency for the Caribbean and becoming more interconnected in our financial firms and economic opportunities for Belizeans and just free trade.”

Zanah Reyes, Galen University Marketing Major

“I think I learnt currently a lot from the free movement. I would love the opportunity to travel to all these different communities and see what they have to offer and come back after I have learnt to incorporate it in our country.”

Paul Lopez

“As a young Belizean which of these opportunities do you see is of most value to you?”

Jonathon Chiquin, UB Marketing Major

“Most definitely the free movement one. We have the opportunity to move anywhere in the CARICOM community which is Jamaica, Saint Kitts, Saint Nevis and Saint Lucia.”

The discussion sparked a lively debate, with numerous questions raised about the labor opportunities available within the single market, the pursuit of fair wages, and the various challenges encountered in the implementation of the CSME. Participants voiced their concerns and sought clarity on how these issues could be addressed to ensure a more equitable and efficient integration process.

Leo Titus Preville

“As I said before to people who are here, CSME is not an event. It is a continuous process. When you think of the CSME you are looking at the implementation of five core regimes in the CSME, free movement of goods, of persons, free movement of capital, the right to establish business and the rights to provide service. If you ask yourself, how has development been in any one of those five areas, you will see that we have made significant progress in those core areas.”

On Tuesday, the delegation made a significant stop at Quality Poultry in Spanish Lookout. This Belizean company has been grappling with formidable challenges in its quest to penetrate the CARICOM market. The visit highlighted the ongoing struggles not only for Quality Poultry but also for many other local products facing similar uphill battles. The question remains: how can these barriers be overcome to ensure fair access and opportunities within the single market?

Leo Titus Preville

“I would say the answer to your question lies in what the minister of agriculture to Belize indicated to us yesterday. His concern is that perhaps the issue is not whether everything is in place to allow for the trade. It is perhaps whether there is the political will at the member state level to facilitate what they have agreed to.

WE believe the answer for that is continued engagement, continuous dialogue, building confidents, establishing standards. Those are the things we need to do to cause us to move in the direction that the minister of agriculture for Belize would have pointed out yesterday in our engagement with him.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

What Does US Dockworkers’ Strike Mean for Belize’s Imports?

At the stroke of midnight, forty-five thousand dockworkers on the U.S. Eastern seaboard launched a massive strike, affecting over thirty ports from Maine to Texas. This industrial action has sparked concern among Belizean importers, who worry about the potential delays in their shipments. The dockworkers are primarily protesting U.S. port operators over wages and the increasing use of automation. Delroy Fairweather, a customs broker, shared that while their current stock can last for a couple of weeks, an extended strike would force them to seek alternative sources for imports.

Delroy Fairweather, Custom Broker, Benny’s Enterprise

“When all these vessels get to a berthing area cannot be offloaded, you have literally hundreds of thousands of containers that need to be offloaded and that’s where the issue and the problem will come in. So you’re looking at kind of going back to this pandemic type situation. We trade with the entire world, per se. I don’t really have the statistics per se, what percentage of items would come from out of the U.S. as opposed to what comes from China, from Europe, from the Caribbean and so forth. But, you know, Belize, again, we are strategically – look where we’re strategically located and the proximity to our major – one of the major ports, which is Jamaica, which is a major transshipment hub, which brings a lot of containers out of China and Europe and those places, pretty much kind of can fill the void. Yes, we do import a lot of food stuff from the U.S. of course, on a weekly basis, but I am thinking that what we have here for now for at least another two to three weeks, we’re fine.”

Belize Reaffirms Commitment to Haiti at UN General Assembly

Tonight, the conflict in the Middle East continues to escalate, igniting international crises. Nearly a year has passed since Israel began its bombing campaign on the Gaza Strip, which started after the Palestinian militant group Hamas fired rockets into Israel in protest of the Gaza blockade. The ongoing war has forced many Palestinians to flee their homes. Earlier today, Iran retaliated against Israel’s killing of a top Islamic commander by launching nearly two hundred missiles. Fortunately, most of these were intercepted by Israel’s defense system, but the country has signaled its intent to retaliate. Belize remains steadfast in its position that the occupation of the Gaza Strip is unjust and has consistently supported calls for a ceasefire. On Saturday, Minister of Foreign Affairs Francis Fonseca reiterated this stance during his address at the seventy-ninth Session of the UN General Assembly in New York City.

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs

“Conflicts should not be allowed to fester. The war in Ukraine is now two years running and we are concerned that the end is still not near. Haiti has seized our attention once again. For Belize, the international response must be enduring for long lasting peace. and security of our sister country. We are working through the Caribbean community to reinforce and strengthen Haiti. And we commend the Haitian people in their resolve to define their own pathway forward. We are pleased to be contributing personnel to the multinational security support mission. For Belize is extremely worried that up to now, the international community has not fully delivered on its commitments for the MSS, nor the UN Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for Haiti. This jeopardizes all the efforts towards establishing political stability, but more than that, puts the future of Haiti at substantial risk.”

Belize Reaffirms Commitment to Haiti at UN General Assembly

At the seventy-ninth United Nations General Assembly, Minister of Foreign Affairs Francis Fonseca delivered a compelling address, highlighting several international conflicts, including the ongoing crisis in Haiti. Last month, Belize took a proactive step by deploying two B.D.F. officers to Haiti, supporting the United Nations Security Council Resolution aimed at fostering collaboration among CARICOM countries to restore security in the region. In his speech, Fonseca underscored the critical importance of solidarity and allyship between nations during times of hardship, emphasizing that collective efforts are essential to overcoming global challenges.

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs

Belize Calls for Reinforced Climate Justice at UN General Assembly

In his address, Minister Fonseca also emphasized the importance of climate justice for developing nations. He explained that Belize is a member of the Alliance of Small Island Developing States, which contributes less than one percent of global emissions. However, these nations feel the impact of climate change heavily, as they depend on traditional sectors. It is for that reason that leaders of the alliance adopted the declaration on sea level rise and statehood on the twenty-third of September. This affirms that the sovereignty or statehood of small island developing states cannot be challenged under any circumstances of climate change-related sea level rise. Fonseca encourages nations to offer support for this cause.

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs

“We invite all UN member states to support the implementation of this declaration. And to use it as the basis of international cooperation. To further guarantee that SIDS will be spared the gravest climate threats, global warming must be limited to well below one point five degrees Celsius. Belize urges the G20 to enhance their emission reduction targets to achieve global warming. This temperature limit for SIDS adaptation is imperative and loss and damage associated with climate change is inevitable. The new climate finance goal to be decided in Baku must contain specific recommendations for minimum allocation to SIDS in relation to grant based and concessional finance. for adaptation and grants for loss and damage. It must also give effect to the provisions of the Paris Agreement, which require enhanced access for SIDS and LDCs to climate finance. Finally, it must support the urgent capitalization of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage.”

Guatemala to Send 150 Soldiers to Haiti

At the 79th U.N. General Assembly, Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo announced that his country would deploy 150 military police officers to support Haiti in its fight against violent gangs. This decision comes as the UN-backed mission, currently led by Kenyan police officers, faces challenges related to personnel and funding.

However, Arévalo did not provide details on the timeline for the deployment of the military police. Currently, there are nearly 400 Kenyan officers in Haiti, in addition to approximately two dozen personnel from Jamaica and two senior military officers from Belize who arrived earlier this month.

The mission aims to have a total of 2,500 personnel, with further contributions expected from the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Benin, and Chad, although the exact timing of their deployments remains uncertain.

PM Briceño Addresses 79th UN General Assembly

Prime Minister John Briceño spoke at the seventy-ninth session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City today. During the Summit of the Future, he emphasized the urgent need for stronger international cooperation to tackle issues like climate change, poverty, and inequality. He also discussed the effects of conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. Additionally, various Heads of State and Government addressed significant challenges and gaps in global governance revealed by recent global crises.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“The adoption of the pact for the future, the global digital compact and the declaration on future generations must not be seen as an end, but rather as a beginning. While these outcomes lay a foundation for action, they represent only a floor for a much greater ambition that is needed to transform our world for present and future generations. The world faces a triple planetary crisis and a development crisis. Human and planetary capacities are approaching limits from which there may be no rebound. Our development and climate goals are slipping farther away from our reach and yet there has been no effective global response. To say we will do what we have failed to do will not suffice. Since the adoption of the Paris Agreement, every year has seen record-breaking climate impacts. For the first time over a twelve-month period, spanning February 2023, to January 2024, global warming exceeded one-point-five degree Celsius above pre-industrial levels. If that trend persists then Paris alone will not be enough, nor will our promise to accelerate the implementation of our 2030 agenda.”

Briceño Discusses Youth Voices at UN General Assembly

Youth voices are crucial in the fight against climate change because their perspectives and ideas are vital for creating sustainable solutions that will affect their future. They often bring fresh, innovative ideas and approaches to problem solving. Young people regularly speak with a moral clarity that can cut through political and economic interests.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“In Belize, the youths are calling for opportunities to harness individual and technological potential. They need sustained investments in good, decent education, comprehensive healthcare and a green or a blue economy that targets support for micro, small and medium enterprises and startups. We can go farther faster with international support, but that support must be tailored to the unique characteristics of small island developing states. The Antigua and Barbuda agenda for SIDS is a forward-looking blueprint for resilient prosperity. It defines our vision and what the international community can do to help us achieve that vision. My country, like other small island developing states, still lack representation where decisions are being made on our behalf.”