Belmopan, May 15, 2024.
The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Hon. John Briceño, met on 14th May 2024.
- The Prime Minister reported to Cabinet on his recent meeting with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador in Cancun, Mexico, which focused on several priority areas, including energy, agriculture and transportation. Regarding energy, the meeting involved discussions with senior officials of CFE with a view to maintaining an increased and consistent supply of electricity of up to 80 MW to support Belize’s rapidly increasing energy demand. On agriculture, talks involved fostering the continued export of cattle and the proposed export of sugar and shrimp into Mexico. On transportation, discussions centred around the next steps towards constructing a train station at or near the border between Belize and Mexico as part of Tren Maya, which would make it easier for tourists and goods to be transported between Belize and Mexico and beyond. The Prime Minister also informed the Mexican President that shortly, Belize will exempt border fees for Mexicans who wish to enter Belize.
- Cabinet welcomed the update from Minister Francis Fonseca on the completion of the second round of negotiations between Belize and the Republic of El Salvador for a Partial Scope Agreement which will enhance market access for key export commodities into El Salvador. The next stage in the process includes an intersessional round of negotiations to be followed by the third round of negotiations.
- Cabinet gave its approval for amendments to be introduced in the National Assembly to amend the National Institute of Culture and History Act to strengthen its legislative power to protect and preserve Belize’s cultural resources and establish reserves.
- Cabinet gave its approval for the Ministry of the Public Service to invite high school students in third and fourth forms and junior college students to apply for the 2024 Summer Intern Program, which will run from June 17, 2024 to July 11, 2024, and from July 12, 2024 to August 11, 2024.
- Cabinet approved amendments to the Designated Processing Areas (DPA) Act to improve the turnaround time for the Ministry of Investment to expedite the Investment Incentives Program and to continue assisting the main growth sectors in the DPA program.
- Cabinet welcomed a presentation from the Chairman and CEO of the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) which provided an update on the status of the institution and discussed ways to enhance and improve service to Belizeans, including enhanced services in areas of oncology, cardiology, and other specialized services both as a regional hospital and the nation’s only public tertiary hospital.
- Finally, Cabinet reminds Belizeans, especially our golden citizens, to remain hydrated as the nation endures a prolonged heat wave with extreme temperatures.
Ends
