ASR/BSI, BELCOGEN Tax Break Extension Leads to Tense Exchange

Last week, the House of Representatives debated the Sugar Industry and Cogeneration Project (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which extends tax and duty exemptions for ASR/BSI and Belcogen to support the cogeneration energy project. The Act was originally passed under the Barrow Administration in 2012.

While Prime Minister John Briceño called for a non-political discussion, Opposition Leader Tracy Panton raised concerns. “What is ironic, Madam Speaker, is that even with these incentives and tax breaks, there is a proposal before the PUC as we speak for an increase in energy costs to the consumer of almost 14%,” Panton said. She highlighted the sugar industry’s importance to northern farmers and jobs and outlined the bill’s exemptions, retroactive to 1st October 2025.

The debate grew tense after Prime Minister Briceño accused Panton of hypocrisy. “It was the same member from Corozal North, and the then Prime Minister, Honorable Dean Barrow, said that they were going to help the cane farmers of the North. That’s what they said. Leader of the opposition, do you know how much your government gave them? They gave them zero, not a single dollar to help them. And then you come here like a hypocrite to talk about we are not doing anything?” Briceño said.

In 2012, the legislation granted ASR a $100 million investment deal to rescue BSI, including tax exemptions on business, dividends, customs, excise, environmental duties, and stamp duties, some retroactive to 2008. At the time, the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association and the People’s United Party (then in opposition) argued that the concessions gave ASR an unfair advantage over local farmers, warning of potential revenue losses of $40–50 million and the risk of farmer displacement. The debate became so heated that the PUP staged a walkout before the bill’s third reading.