PM Says 2024 Brought Many Victories for Belizeans

The year 2024 was a mixed bag, with personal triumphs for some and hardships for others. In his New Year’s address, Prime Minister John Briceño highlighted that overall, the past year brought numerous victories for Belizeans, both big and small. He celebrated the high employment rate, the availability of well-paying jobs, the removal of GST from property transfers and mortgages, the increased income tax threshold starting January 1, 2025, and the elimination of fees at public clinics. These changes, he noted, are steps towards a brighter future for all.

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“Belizeans are winning when the vast majority who seek employment can find high paying jobs. National data shows that 98 out of every 100 who seek work can now find well-paying jobs. Belizeans won when government recently raised the brackets of those who pay zero income taxes and removed the GST for property transfers and mortgages.  Belizeans are winning when all fees and costs at every public health clinic in the country have not been eliminated. And Belizean entrepreneurs have won special status with a targeted duty and tax exemptions that automatically apply to micro, small, and medium enterprises. Some wins take more time to secure. For example, inflation. Government heard the complaints about the cost of living and government has acted forcefully against price gougers and acted decisively to provide relief. Our commitment to lowering the cost of living is why our bakers and public transport operators and farmers have all received some level of support of subsidy and relief. And in spectacular fashion, Belizeans capped the year with a first ever tax holiday. The sum of our efforts is the reason why the latest estimate shows price inflation contained to only two-point-one percent. 2024 has truly been a year of Belizean triumph.”