Benita Keme-Palacio - Greater Belize Media

New Vanilla Training Project Launched in Southern Belize

The Ministry of Investment, in collaboration with several partners, officially launched the “Vanilla Training for Women and Girls in Western and Southern Belize” project in Bella Vista Village, Toledo District. This initiative is designed to empower 30 women from Toledo by teaching them how to grow and harvest vanilla.

The training will focus on increasing the acreage of vanilla cultivated in Belize, providing hands-on experience in propagating vanilla vines, and educating participants on the floral biology of vanilla, including the hand-pollination process.

Trainees will learn about harvesting, curing, and exporting their produce, while also receiving guidance on organising efforts within women’s groups to develop the vanilla industry.

The Ministry stated that “vanilla represents a significant economic opportunity for Belize, especially with international demand.” The project will also establish a propagation nursery at Bella Vista Government Secondary School.

NHC Monitoring Two Potential Weather Systems

The National Hurricane Centre is monitoring two weather systems in the Atlantic and Caribbean. The first is Subtropical Storm Patty, which is currently located near the Azores Islands in the northeastern Atlantic.

The second system causing disorganised showers and thunderstorms is located in the southwestern Caribbean Sea (AL97). According to NHC, this system has a high chance of development during the next 48 hours, while it moves generally north to northwestward over the central and western Caribbean Sea.

Additionally, a low-pressure trough near the Greater Antilles is producing showers and gusty winds east of the southeastern Bahamas. This system has low chances of formation through the next 48 hours.

Will COP29 Deliver on Transparency for Climate Financing?

Belize is getting ready for COP29, the United Nations Climate Change Conference happening in Azerbaijan this November. Building on COP28, this conference is another key opportunity for countries to be held accountable for their environmental actions.

Minister of Sustainable Development and Climate Change, Orlando Habet, noted the importance of Belize’s involvement in the decision-making process to protect the country’s interests.

Minister Habet said that while there was agreement on transitioning from fossil fuels, the lack of binding commitments raises concerns. He pointed out that the “Loss and Damage” fund has only received about $800 million in financial support, which is far too low.

For COP29, Minister Habet will be leading in finance discussion and strengthening the region’s negotiating power as he represents the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). He said his focus on finance and transparency, stating, “The adaptation fund, they even informed us that that $100 billion that we had been asking for was released in 2022. There’s no transparency on that part. So for COP 29, what we’re asking is more transparency on one, the acquisition of the funding, the facilitation of that funding, and how it is being distributed.

BDF Officer Falls Asleep on Road, Gets Run Over

Just over a week ago, a BDF officer was run over by a military pickup truck after he fell asleep on a road in Price Barracks in Ladyville. The officer was returning to his quarters in the early morning following a regimental dinner.

Brigadier General Azariel Loria, Commander of the Belize Defence Force (BDF), said that the incident occurred last Thursday when the officer “fell asleep on the road.” Brig. Gen. Loria added, “The officer was trying to walk back to his room, but for some reason he fell asleep on the road. It’s an area that is poorly illuminated, and there were a slew of vehicles that were trafficking to go back again to their bedrooms to sleep, and it so happens that one of those vehicles run him over.”

According to Loria, the officer suffered minor injuries only and “by the grace of God, he is doing well.”

“I don’t know what he is made of, but he did survive. He was run over properly by a pickup truck, and he is at home recuperating.”

When asked about the driver’s potential intoxication, Loria said, “I don’t know if it was drinking or not. An investigation is being conducted into that.” He added, “Whenever anyone gets into an accident, his driver’s license is suspended depending on the outcome of the investigation.”

3 Days Away Until U.S. Presidential Elections

Voters in the United States are three days away until the presidential election takes place on November 5. Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are neck and neck in key Midwestern swing states like Michigan and Wisconsin.

At rallies on Friday, Harris criticised Trump for his comments about former Republican Congresswoman Liz Cheney, whom he suggested should have “guns trained on her.” Trump defended his statement, claiming it was a valid critique of Cheney’s foreign policy.

Polls indicate a tight race, with Harris leading nationally by 1.3 points, but her advantage in critical swing states is shrinking. In Michigan, she has a narrow lead of about 1 point, while Trump leads in Nevada by 0.4 points. In Wisconsin, Harris’s lead has increased slightly to 0.8 points.

Looking ahead, Harris will campaign in Charlotte, North Carolina, promising a star-studded rally to rally support in a state Democrats haven’t won since 2008. Trump is also headed to Charlotte, where he maintains a slight lead in the polls.

Both candidates are focusing on persuading undecided voters as they enter the final stretch of the campaign.

Construction Worker Injured in Machete Attack

A construction worker named Marlon Ocampos, 26, was injured in a machete attack during a dispute with a coworker on Sea Shore Drive in Belize City.

Reports indicate that police found him bleeding from a deep cut on his left arm. Ocampos explained that the injury allegedly happened after an argument at a nearby construction site.

He chose not to take legal action against the attacker and did not want to provide more details to the police. Ocampos was taken to Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in Belize City for treatment.

Raffle to Support Dr. Cecilio Eck’s Cancer Treatment

In July, we reported that Dr. Cecilio Eck was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. To help with his medical expenses, family and friends are holding a raffle. Alina Saldivar and her husband from Island Magic Villas have donated a prize: a fully paid two-day trip for four to Caye Caulker, including meals and a catamaran sunset tour.

Tickets cost $100 each and can be bought online through OneLink until the raffle on January 6, 2025. Payments are secure and accepted via local and US debit and credit cards.

In Friday’s episode of Open Your Eyes, Dr. Eck shared positive updates on his health. He said, “I’m feeling pretty good. When I left Belize, I was really sick.” After three sessions of immunotherapy and chemotherapy, he noted, “My latest scans, which were done on Tuesday this week, actually showed that there are no new lesions in my body, and of the ones that were there, they are getting smaller.” Dr. Eck explained that his cancer treatment plan includes six to eight cycles of chemotherapy followed by immunotherapy over two years. He will also need surgeries to address damage to his right humerus and possibly his pelvis after completing chemotherapy.

Despite the vigorous treatment plan, Dr. Eck sees his latest treatment results as good indicators. “My spirits are up, my appetite is back, my weight is going up, and I don’t feel as ill as I first started.” He mentioned that his oncologist views this as “very positive news.”

GoB and NTUCB Discuss Key Issues

Prime Minister John Briceño met with representatives of the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) on Friday. PM Briceño said they “discussed a range of issues,” including the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Bill, representation on the KHMH Workers Union Board, appointments in the judiciary, SPV-SSB Committee, Amendment to Finance and Audit Act, Tertiary Hospital Act Amendment, Starlink to Belize, and Auditor General Post and Office.

Briceno said it was a “very constructive meeting and agreed on most of the issues on a way forward.”

The meeting took place at the Eleanor Hall Building in Belize City. The NTUCB said the meeting was amicable and proved fruitful.

Eight months ago, the Ministry of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labour, and Local Government announced that Cabinet approved amendments to the OSH Bill, which replaces the Factories Act. The new legislation establishes the National Occupational Safety and Health Authority and Inspectorate to oversee workplace safety.

Initially presented in January 2011, the OSH Bill has undergone major revisions after receiving feedback from the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the NTUCB. Extensive consultations took place in late 2023, culminating in proposed amendments submitted to Cabinet on January 30, 2023, which have now been approved.

Belizeans Confidence in the Economy Decreases

The Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) in Belize fell to 38.9 in September 2024, a significant 10.9% decline from 43.64 in August. This marks the second consecutive month of decreased confidence among consumers after a period of growth. The CCI measures sentiment regarding economic conditions and household financial situations, with a scale ranging from 0 (completely pessimistic) to 100 (completely optimistic). Scores above 50 typically indicate a positive outlook among consumers.

The decline was largely driven by a 34.5% drop in the “durable goods” component, which fell from 37.4 to 24.5. This indicates growing pessimism about making major purchases like homes and cars. Additionally, the “Expectation component decreased by 3.1%, from 53.1 to 51.4, reflecting reduced optimism about future economic conditions. Conversely, the Present sub-index saw a slight increase, rising 0.7% to 40.7, suggesting a marginally better view of current economic circumstances compared to the past year.

Regionally, both urban and rural consumers reported declines, with rural areas experiencing a more significant drop of 16.5%. The durable goods sentiment among rural consumers plummeted by 43.9%. Urban consumers saw a smaller overall decline of 3.1%, primarily due to a 21.6% decrease in their durable goods sentiment. In terms of gender, male confidence decreased by 16%, while female confidence fell by 5.4%.

Consumer confidence also varied by age and ethnicity. The most substantial declines were among those aged 55 and older and 45 to 54, who reported decreases of 20.7% and 20.4%, respectively. In contrast, individuals aged 35 to 44 saw a minor increase in confidence. Among ethnic groups, Maya consumers experienced the largest decline at 15.2%.

These trends reflect growing concerns among Belizeans about their economic situation as 2024 progresses.

Belize’s Total Imports Reach $231.5 Million, Up 13.5%

In September 2024, Belize’s trade data revealed a significant increase in both imports and domestic exports compared to the same month in the previous year. According to the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB) report issued on October 30, total imports reached $231.5 million, reflecting a 13.5% increase from $204 million in September 2023. Key contributors to this rise included the Other Manufactures category, which grew by $8.1 million due to higher purchases of measuring instruments and galvanised steel. The Commercial Free Zones saw an increase of $7.8 million, driven by demand for handbags and sports uniforms. Additionally, machinery and transport equipment rose by 11.2%, or $5.8 million, reflecting more imports of electric buses and motor vehicles. However, imports of mineral fuels and lubricants fell by $8.3 million, while food and live animals decreased by $1.9 million.

For the first nine months of 2024, total merchandise imports amounted to $2.167 billion, an 8.6% increase from $1.995 billion during the same period last year. The Machinery and Transport Equipment category exhibited significant growth, increasing by $106.9 million due to high-value items such as electric buses. Meanwhile, the Mineral Fuels and Lubricants category rose by $24.2 million, attributed to higher imports of kerosene and gasoline. Imports in the Other Manufactures category also grew by $17.4 million, reflecting increased purchases of measuring instruments and steel panels.

On the export side, September 2024 saw total domestic exports reach $29.3 million, a 39% increase from $21.1 million in September 2023. This growth was largely driven by strong performances in agricultural commodities, with banana sales rising by $4.2 million and citrus product earnings nearly tripling to $4.3 million. Sugar exports also increased by $2 million, although revenues from animal feed declined by $0.9 million. For the first nine months of 2024, merchandise exports totalled $336.4 million, a slight 1.1% increase from $332.9 million last year.