Cabinet Brief Makes No Mention of BTL/SpeedNet Deal

The Cabinet has released a brief summary of Tuesday’s meeting, and one key item was notably absent: the proposed BTL/Speed Net acquisition. The telecommunications deal, which has sparked public debate and questions about transparency, was not listed.

Instead, the Cabinet approved measures to strengthen the Belize cacao sector, including the creation of a National Cacao Committee “for the implementation of key measures to meet emerging international market and compliance requirements.”

While the move boosts “competitiveness” for the cacao industry, the telecommunications sector may soon face challenges without similar oversight.

Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, Opposition Leader Tracy Panton called for fair trade and competition. “We should have a law that encourages competition,” she said. She argued that competition allows for innovation and creativity. It also ensures consumers receive the best services at the best prices.

Panton added that while there is a law that governs how any anti-competitive tactics are addressed, which is detailed in the Telecommunications Act, the issue of corruption is present.

“The problem with the PUC is that the same government who appoints the board of BTL also appoints their cronies to the PUC.”

She insists that there must be proper representation of the opposition on all statutory bodies and public boards in the country.