Prime Minister Delivers State of the Nation Address in Belmopan  

The entrance to the Sir Edney Cain Building in Belmopan was transformed to accommodate Prime Minister John Briceno’s State of the Nation address this morning. His twenty-minute speech was briefly interrupted by the rain; nonetheless, PM Briceño touched on every sector, from business to education, health, infrastructure, job creation and even sports. He made a couple announcements that were met with mixed reactions, including an amendment to the income tax regime.  The event saw the attendance of elected representatives, government officials, diplomats and primary school students. News Five’s Paul Lopez was there. He filed the following report.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

A tent was pitched in front of the Sir Edney Cain Building. A podium was placed at the entrance and bleachers were erected for primary school students to take their seats behind the head of government. All twenty-seven elected PUP area representatives sat in front of the podium cheering on Prime Minister John Briceño, as he delivered his State of the Nation address.

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“I am happy to report that the State of the Nation is stronger, more hopeful and more confident than at any time in our forty-three years.”

 

It’s a presentation that is traditionally reserved for Independence Day. This year, however, the Briceño administration decided to forego the annual tradition to avoid the political mudslinging that often plays out in front of the diplomatic corp.

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“Because Belizeans are working, and Belizeans are winning. For the first time ever, ninety-seven of every one hundred Belizeans who wants a job have found one. The SIB reports that the unemployment rate stood at three percent since April of this year. Never before has jobs been so available and never before has the minimum wage been so high.”

 

Prime Minister Briceño says the nation’s gross domestic product has grown by thirty-four percent since 2020, with 2023’s GDP now surpassing six billion dollars. He says it’s the highest level in the country’s history.

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“To further support small business, small farmers, even new homeowners, Government is making access to finance more affordable. And, as we ring in the New Year, Government will pass legislation so that all mortgages, assignments and cancellations of mortgages for less than one hundred thousand dollars will be exempt from stamp duty. This exemption will surely assist lending institutions to compete for your business and bring down interest rates.”

 

Perhaps the biggest revelation made by Prime Minister Briceño during his speech was the announcement of a new income tax regime.

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“Effective January first, in support of employees, Cabinet has approved that all workers who earn less than twenty-nine thousand dollars will be exempt from income tax. By increasing, and additional two thousand eight hundred and fifty-one workers will no longer be subject to income tax. The income laws will also be adjusted to remove existing anomalies so that in no instance will an employed person take home less pay when his/her salary increases. This amendment will benefit no less than seven hundred and thirty-three employed persons. Altogether, by these income tax deduction adjustments, over three point three million dollars more will be placed directly into the pockets of over three thousand, five hundred employees, an average of almost one thousand dollars increase in net take home pay.”

 

PM Briceño went on to say that with the expansion of NHI two hundred and sixteen thousand Belizeans have access to virtually free primary health care. Approximately one hundred thousand students are in the classroom at all levels of academia. Twenty thousand Belizeans have become first time landowners, and four hundred and fifty million dollars have been invested in total capital public investments.

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“The only gain that matters are better life for the Belizean people. That our people are healthier that our children are assured a seat in the classroom, gaining useful knowledge with ready access to digital resources, that we are a society of landowners and homeowners and a widening middle class, and that our farmers and visitors have safe and efficient access to every corner of the country. This is the kind of progress that ignites a virtuous circle of sustainable and equitable prosperity.”

 

And, as a small drizzle quickly became a heavy downpour, the school children cleared the bleachers. Prime Minister Briceno kept on reading, relying solely on a printed copy of his speech as the teleprompter was drenched. He went on to reaffirm Belize’s support for Palestine and Ukraine and highlighted Belize’s trailblazing efforts in conservation, especially marine conservation.

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“And so, judged by how we have improved ourselves and how we have enhanced our standing in the global stage, Belize can mark this forty-third birthday with confidence and pride. Momentum is on our side. The work continues. After four years of impressive achievements our promises shine with the aura of destiny. Together with the blessings of our creator we shall continue to reach higher heights and move ever forward. Que Vivia Belice.”

 

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.