2024-09-24 - Channel 5 Belize

No Corona Beers for Belize…Yet?

Caribbean International Brewery Company Limited (CIB) recently expressed concerns regarding a permit that allows the importation of 10,000 cases of Mexican beer, Corona, into the Belizean market. Last week, Prime Minister John Briceño told News Five in an exclusive interview that “There’s been a shortage of Coca-Cola in the market,” but that “not a single bottle has been imported yet.”

According to CIB, Belize has a sufficient supply of beer to meet the demands of both local consumers and tourists. The brewing company says that “allowing the importation of a Mexican beer not only puts local production at a disadvantage but also poses a risk of loss of revenue to the government.” The company questioned the rationale behind promoting Corona instead of supporting Belizean brands like Belikin and Mine.

“We must consider the fact that the consumption of locally produced beer will fall as will the revenues generated in the form of taxes. What about the workers at both beer producing facilities and their families? By allowing the importation of Corona we are also opening up ourselves to a plethora of problems.”

As we reported on Friday, the import permit granted to Goliath Investment Company by the Government of Belize for ten thousand cases of Corona Beer from Mexico has been put on hold. C.E.O. in the Ministry of Agriculture, Servulo Baeza, confirmed to News Five that the permit is paused and no beer has been imported since it was approved a few weeks ago. Goliath Investment Company, which lists shareholders Jose Aldana and Emily Melissa Waight of San Ignacio, was recently registered and is not a member of the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Meanwhile, local breweries Bowen & Bowen (Belikin) and Caribbean International Brewing Limited (Mine) remain dissatisfied with the decision to grant the permit initially. With taxes, a case of imported Corona was expected to sell for around $135, amounting to $1.35 million by the final sale. The brewers are particularly concerned about the broader issue of contraband, estimating that for every legally imported case, several more could be smuggled into the country.

Phillip Goldson Airport Criticised as One of Region’s Worst

Belize City’s Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (PGIA) has come under fire as it earns the reputation of one of the region’s worst airports. Nicole Cord-Cruz, in a recent article in Island.com, said that while Belize is a “slice of paradise,” the airport experience is lacking. “The airport experience leaves much to be desired,” Cord-Cruz stated.

According to the article, Belize’s PGIA ranked fourth on Sleeping in Airports’ list of the worst airports in the Caribbean and Central America, though it has not appeared on the list in subsequent years.

Back in July of this year, Prime Minister John Briceño announced the coming of three new airports just over two months ago. At the twelfth annual North American, Central American, and Caribbean Directors of Civil Aviation Meeting, Briceño said, “The goal of our government, as stated in Plan Belize, our medium-term development plan is to expand the P.G.A., our International Airport, with a U.S. one hundred twenty-five million investment, to a new airport in San Pedro, a national airport next to PGIA to handle and to manage local air traffic, and a new airport in here down south in Placencia. All of them to be able to handle larger planes within Belize and, who knows, probably handle short regional flights.”

Chairman of Aero Dispatch Services, Kal Habet, said recently that PGIA’s project expansion is a ‘multi-phase project,’ with phase one completed already and subsequent phases underway to take effect. Habet cited the $250 million investment to overhaul the international airport to meet the growing passenger demands.

Belize to Participate in Annual World Investor Week

The Financial Services Commission (FSC) of Belize takes a bold step toward enhancing investor awareness and protection by taking part in the International Organisation of Securities Commissions’ (IOSCO) 8th Annual World Investor Week (WIW) from October 7 to October 12, 2024.

This global initiative convenes over 100 jurisdictions, tackling pressing financial topics that impact today’s investors.

This year’s campaign will focus on topics such as technology and digital finance, crypto assets, and sustainable finance. The event will feature discussions and workshops on fraud and scam prevention, investor resilience, and the basics of investing.

Claude Haylock, Director General of the FSC, stated, “Becoming an Associate Member of IOSCO earlier this year reinforces our dedication to creating a financial environment that prioritises investor education and protection.” Haylock added, “With the rise of AI, virtual assets, and other transformative technologies, it is critical that we continue to educate and protect investors.”

Showdown in the UDP As Panton and Barrow Spar Over Convention Claims

Tracy Panton, Area Representative for Albert, issued a strong statement on behalf of the Alliance for Democracy. Panton says that the UDP Constitution allows one-fourth of the delegates to call a meeting of the National Convention. According to Panton, the Party Chairman, Michael Peyrefitte, does not have the authority to block such a convention. In her statement, Panton also accuses Peyrefitte, Vice Chairman Alberto August, and Party Leader Moses Barrow of “hijacking” the party and disregarding the constitution.

She said that, despite opposition, the delegates will make their voices heard on October 20, 2024, stating, “The power lies with the delegates, not the dictators.”

In response, Barrow condemned the claims made by the Alliance for Democracy. In his statement, Barrow accused the group of spreading “deception and fraud” about the UDP’s internal affairs, clarifying that there is no National Convention scheduled for October 20, 2024. He said that the next UDP National Convention is not set until after the next General Elections, in line with the decision made at the August 2023 National Convention.

Barrow also refuted the Alliance for Democracy’s claims by noting that the UDP Constitution does not mention a National Convention Secretariat or Protem Secretariat, urging the public and party members not to be misled by “false advertisements” from the Alliance. He called on the Alliance to “cease and desist from fraud and deception” in promoting the October 20th activity as a UDP event.

Belize and Allies Call on UN to Include Taiwan in Global Discussions

Permanent representatives from nine of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies have jointly called on United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to advocate for Taiwan’s inclusion in the UN.

The letter, signed by representatives from Belize, Eswatini, Guatemala, the Marshall Islands, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), and Tuvalu, urges the UN to address what the allies describe as “malicious distortions” of UN Resolution 2758. They argue that the misinterpretation of the resolution threatens peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the broader Indo-Pacific region.

China claims that the resolution supports its “one China” policy, asserting Taiwan as an “inalienable part” of its territory. However, Taiwan maintains that the resolution only pertains to China’s representation at the UN and does not define Taiwan’s political status or sovereignty.

The letter also calls for the UN to uphold neutrality and stop its current interpretation of Resolution 2758, which, the allies argue, unjustly prevents Taiwan and its media from participating in UN meetings and events.

The letter was submitted ahead of the UN’s upcoming Summit for the Future and the General Debate of the 79th session of the General Assembly.

Belize’s UN Representative, Carlos Fuller, highlighted the critical importance of Taiwan’s involvement in climate discussions, as it is one of the island nations most vulnerable to rising sea levels.

Burrell Boom Man Reported Missing

Authorities are seeking help to locate 73-year-old Eugene Leslie from Butter Cup Estate, Burrell Boom Village. Leslie has been missing since September 13, 2024, riding toward the main road outside the village.

He is described as having dark complexion and being of Creole descent. Leslie stands at approximately 59 inches tall and has a medium build.

At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing long blue jeans and a short-sleeved checkered shirt. His children have been searching local establishments with video cameras in hopes of retracing his steps. Leslie suffers from dementia.

Anyone with information regarding Eugene Leslie’s whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 922.

Belize Teen Developer Inspires at UN General Assembly

At just 17, Alaine Perdomo marked her presence at the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly, where she urged global leaders to combat violence against children and promote digital literacy for girls.

As a talented young developer, Perdomo launched the innovative mobile app SafeScape in December 2023 with support from UNICEF.

The app provides crucial resources for victims of sexual assault and abuse, amplifying her mission today at the UN General Assembly.

Hurricane Beryl Traumatised Chickens in Jamaica

President of the Jamaica Egg Farmers Association, Mark Campbell, told local media that Hurricane Beryl caused significant trauma to chickens, which led to a decrease in egg production of an average of 25% post-Hurricane Beryl.

Hurricane Beryl, a powerful Category 4 storm, slammed into Jamaica in early July. It brought fierce winds and heavy rain. With gusts reaching up to 130 mph (215 km/h), the storm has caused widespread damage, toppling trees and damaging buildings along the island’s southern coast.

Egg farmers continue to be affected. Chickens are not producing as many eggs as they usually would.

Campbell explained that they initially estimated the trauma and stress caused by the storm would take around 21 days for the birds to recover, as that’s the typical turnaround period for birds experiencing stress. However, he noted that it has far exceeded that timeframe.