PM Reflects on 2024’s Achievements, Sets Ambitious Goals for 2025

Prime Minister John Briceño, in his New Year’s address, described 2024 as a year marked by significant victories for Belizeans, despite the personal challenges some may have faced. The PM celebrated achievements such as increased employment opportunities, the removal of GST on property transfers and mortgages, and the elimination of fees at public clinics.

“National data shows that 98 out of every 100 who seek work can now find well-paying jobs. Belizeans won when the government recently raised the brackets of those who pay zero income taxes and removed the GST for property transfer mortgages. Belizeans are winning when all fees and costs at every public health clinic in the country have now been eliminated,” the PM said.

Addressing inflation, Prime Minister Briceño stated that the government’s interventions against price gouging and its support for bakers, public transport operators, and farmers helped contain inflation to 2.1%. He described 2024 as a year of Belizean triumph, capped by the nation’s first-ever tax holiday.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to the goals of Plan Belize. He acknowledged that while poverty has been halved since 2018, any level of poverty remains unacceptable.

“This government’s push to place valuable, titled land in the hands of first-time landowners will not relent. 2025 will witness the construction start of the new state-of-the-art tertiary care hospital in Belmopan that will elevate public healthcare to new levels of excellence.”

He said that the new year will see the final phase of a national health insurance program. His administration plans to intensify its focus on improving education and accelerating infrastructure projects, particularly in villages and towns.

With the 2025 elections on the horizon, the Prime Minister pledged to provide a full account of the government’s performance and present a vision for building on the achievements of Plan Belize. .