Cabinet Brief

Belmopan. 28th April 2022. 10:10 a.m.

The Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Hon. John Briceño, met in regular session on 25th April 2022.

Cabinet reviewed the submission by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise for an adjustment to the control price of 16-ounce sliced bread and to approve an increase of 50 percent on the wholesale price.

Cabinet determined that no price increase will be allowed at this time. In addition, Cabinet instructed the Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise to engage with the Association of Bakers to explore other alternatives to minimize the possibility of drastic increases in the price of a 16-ounce pack of bread.

Cabinet gave its recommendation for the Ministry of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labour and Local Government to introduce the Trade License Bill, 2022. The key element of the proposed bill reflects the guiding principles of reform consistent with government’s agenda to create an enabling and investor friendly business environment and to further empower village councils.

Cabinet gave its approval for the Ministry of Tourism & Diaspora Relations to introduce legislation for a Hotel Amnesty Program for unregistered short-term rental properties. This is to allow for the execution of a registration process for short-term rentals.

Approval was granted by Cabinet for the Ministry of Tourism & Diaspora Relations to initiate a formal process of review of the current definitive agreement between government and Belize Island Holdings Limited to improve and facilitate the future growth and development of cruise tourism in Southern Belize.

Cabinet gave its recommendation for the introduction of a US$25 million loan motion from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development to provide assistance for the implementation of a Climate-Resilient and Sustainable Agriculture Project to be undertaken by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise with the assistance of the Social Investment Fund. This project will provide funding support to an estimated 7,300 beneficiaries, including more than 4,300 farm households or more than 17,800 individuals.