May 17, 2025 - Greater Belize Media

Belize Receives Medical Equipment Donation from Taiwan

The Ministry of Health & Wellness has received a major boost thanks to a generous donation of medical equipment from Taiwan.

On behalf of the Taiwanese NGO Cao Zhong Zhi Foundation, Taiwan’s Ambassador to Belize, Lily Li-Wen Hsu, handed over the equipment to Belize’s Minister of Health & Wellness, Kevin Bernard.

The donation includes 250 adult wheelchairs, 50 children’s wheelchairs, 80 toilet chairs, 160 aluminium walkers, and 400 aluminium canes. The Taiwanese government also covered all shipping costs, making this valuable contribution possible.

“These supplies will make a real difference in the lives of many Belizeans,” said Minister Bernard, noting that the equipment will help improve healthcare access and support people with mobility challenges.

Taiwan has been a long-standing partner in Belize’s public health efforts. This latest donation is another example of the strong friendship between the two nations and the power of global cooperation in addressing health challenges.

The Government of Belize expressed deep appreciation to the Cao Zhong Zhi Foundation and the people of Taiwan, reaffirming its support for Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Organization (WHO) and the annual World Health Assembly.

This partnership is seen as a model of international collaboration, and Belize looks forward to continued cooperation with Taiwan to strengthen its healthcare system.

Central Bank of Belize Eases Access to Foreign Currency for Services

The Central Bank of Belize has announced a new policy aimed at simplifying the process of accessing foreign currency for service-based transactions. As of May 2, 2025, customers can now purchase foreign currency directly from local banks for certain service payments without first needing approval from the Central Bank.

This change is designed to improve efficiency and make it easier for individuals and businesses to carry out international transactions.

The updated policy delegates more authority to domestic banks, allowing them to process foreign currency requests for payments or transfers to non-residents for specified services valued up to BZ$100,000. Among the approved service categories are accounting, architectural, audiovisual, communication, computer, embassy, engineering, financial, information, legal, postal and courier, and scientific and technical services.

To access foreign exchange under the new framework, customers must present a valid invoice or service contract to their bank. Transactions that exceed BZ$100,000 or do not fall within the approved categories will still require prior approval from the Central Bank, in line with Exchange Control Direction Number 20, which was recently gazetted.

This move is part of the Central Bank’s ongoing efforts to modernise and streamline Belize’s exchange control system.

UDP Acknowledges Petition for Council Meeting, Cites Signature Irregularities

Acting Chairman of the United Democratic Party (UDP), Alberto August, has responded to a petition calling for a meeting of the National Party Council (NPC). The package of signed documents was submitted to the party under the heading “Petition to Convene a Meeting of the National Party Council.”

In a letter addressed to Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition, August confirmed receipt and offered an explanation for the delayed response.

August attributed the delay to the party’s recent focus on its engagement with the People’s Constitution Commission (PCC) on the National Constitution Reform Project. He noted that the party’s contribution to the PCC was only finalised recently, marking the end of the Commission’s active operations with the submission of its report to the Prime Minister.

In addressing the petition, August explained that the party undertook a verification process of the submitted signatures, comparing them against internal party records. He revealed that the process was hampered by missing supporting information in several instances. Among the discrepancies cited were three individuals from Belize Rural Central, including one identified as “Vice Chair,” who, according to party rules, is not constitutionally a member of the NPC. Additionally, signatures from three persons in Lake Independence did not match official records, and thirteen petitioners listed as members of the Central Executive Committee (CEC) were not on record as such.

Despite these issues, August acknowledged that a meeting of the NPC is long overdue. However, he pointed out that under Article 7 (6) of the party’s Constitution, there is no fixed timeline for convening such meetings. He emphasized that, due to the current internal dynamics of the UDP, the party leadership is exercising “constitutional caution” to ensure that any such meeting is conducted with maximum consensus and unity.

Prime Minister Briceño Visits Statistical Institute of Belize

Prime Minister John Briceño visited the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB), where he received a comprehensive update on the country’s data and statistical progress.

The Prime Minister was welcomed by SIB Director-General Diana Castillo and her management team. He was joined by Minister of State in the Ministry of Economic Transformation, Dr. Osmond Martinez, along with CEO Carlos Pol, Senior Investment and E-Governance Officer Ian Courtney, and Prime Ministerial Aide Vaughn Gill.

During the visit, SIB officials briefed the Prime Minister on key initiatives, including new efforts to measure poverty, trade in services, producer prices, and ocean-related economic activity. They also discussed plans for the upcoming 2025–2026 Household Budget Survey and ongoing projects such as the KOICA-funded initiative to strengthen Belize’s national statistical system.

The Prime Minister was also updated on recent achievements like the rebasing of GDP, adoption of new labour statistics standards, and the development of new data tools such as the Multidimensional Poverty Index and food insecurity estimates.

Belize’s rising performance in global data rankings was also highlighted. The country has improved in both the World Bank’s Statistical Performance Indicators (SPI) and the Open Data Inventory (ODIN), reflecting the SIB’s push for better data access and transparency.

The visit ended with a tour of SIB’s departments, where the Prime Minister got a firsthand look at innovations in data collection, processing, and dissemination.

Belize’s DFC CEO Elected to ALIDE Board of Directors

The Development Finance Corporation (DFC) of Belize is celebrating a major milestone with the election of its Chief Executive Officer, Henry N. Anderson, to the Board of Directors of ALIDE—the Latin American Association of Development Financing Institutions—for the 2025–2027 term.

Anderson, who was initially appointed to the ALIDE Board in 2024, is among a select group of Caribbean representatives serving at this regional level. Over the past year, he has been instrumental in strengthening Caribbean representation within ALIDE, championing sustainable financing strategies, and highlighting the unique development needs of small island developing states.

“This is an honor I deeply appreciate,” Anderson said. “Our region faces complex and urgent challenges—but also holds immense opportunity. I am committed to working with ALIDE and its members to expand access to development finance and champion innovative solutions that move our people and economies forward.”

Alleged Teacher Misconduct in Belmopan

Serious allegations of sexual misconduct involving a primary school teacher in Belmopan have been made.

According to a complaint by a parent, explicit images and videos allegedly sent by a female teacher were discovered on the personal device of a Standard 6 student. The content is said to have been shared directly through messaging apps. The teacher in question has reportedly been suspended since March, but parents claim that no formal investigation or criminal charges have been initiated to date.

The lack of response from school authorities and management has triggered growing frustration. Concerned parents allege that the administration has remained silent, failing to report the incident to the police or the Department of Human Services, despite the serious nature of the allegations.

The parent is now demanding swift intervention from the Belize Police Department and relevant child protection agencies to ensure student safety.