Economy - Greater Belize Media

A Botanical Garden is Inaugurated at the Price Home

In this week’s edition of Belize on Reel, we take you to the inauguration of a beautiful botanical garden at the Price residence on Pickstock Street. On Wednesday, Belize celebrated what would have been George Price’s 106th birthday by launching ‘Good Belizean,’ a heartfelt compilation of letters, and unveiling a new garden space. This is all part of an ongoing project to restore Price’s family home. Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano with the story.

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

George Price’s love for Belize went far beyond politics and community development. The late Father of the Nation had a deep passion for botany as well. In January 1973, George Price penned a letter to then Minister of Housing, Louis Sylvestre, urging the planting of trees in Belize City. He suggested beautifying areas like Central American Boulevard, Constitution Park, and Lopez Mateo Park. Price would have been a hundred and six years old on Wednesday and, to celebrate his birthday, a special ceremony has held with a particular focus on plants and gardening.

Bernard Wagner, Mayor, Belize City

“The Price Botanical Garden symbolizes growth, symbolizes resilience, and it symbolizes hope, the values that Mr. Price held dear to his heart. It is a space where we would be able to reflect on his love for country and his vision of a sustainable, and harmonious Belize.”

Tree planting is crucial not just for keeping our ecosystems balanced and supporting wildlife, but also for creating a healthier environment for future generations. On his birthday, attendees were given two special gifts, including a sprout, and were encouraged to plant them at home or in their neighborhood.

Rolando Cocom, Director, ISCR

“The second gift is a seedling from our Friends for Conservation and Development and we, in turn, ask that you take this gift back to your yard, back to your communities to plant it and to share it on social media.”

As Belize City expanded into new areas, Premier George Price recommended planting trees to create and preserve green spaces throughout the city.

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Culture

“He loved to plant trees and, of course, other members of his family, including Mrs. Meg Craig, was very, very involved with the environment and the work of the Audubon Society and other organizations. And so we thought it was absolutely fitting for us to conceive this project of establishing a botanical garden right here in Mr. Price’s family home, in his backyard. So we teamed up with FCD, Friends for Conservation and Development, and, of course, through NICH and many other partners as well to make this a reality. It’s an absolutely exciting project. Of course, there are many other layers to this project. This project will see the restoration of the home, the Price home.”

Price’s letter to Sylvestre is one of many correspondences lovingly compiled in an exhibit booklet titled ‘Good Belizeans.’ This collection of documents has been published by the National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) and the Belize Archives and Records Services.

Rolando Cocom

“A Good Belize, one who went through life, one who left through. This embodies the vision that guided his leadership. Today is more than a tribute, it is a call to plant the seeds of the peaceful, constructive revolution. In the words of Mr. Price, much work has been done, but more yet is to be done. As we look ahead, we certainly give thanks and we carry forward the work of Good Belizeans, those who rise each day to work hard, cherish family and find joy in our nation’s richness.”

Prime Minister John Briceno, who joined the ceremony celebrating Price’s birthday, also shared some exciting news about the makeover of George Price’s residence.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“Here we are at this beautiful, historic home surrounding by a lush garden and it’s only fitting that we transform this space into a place of learning for children, an immersive experience which brings our history to life. In the world of museums and formal education, that’s the term we use, an immersive experience.”

Isani Cayetano for News Five.

Local business Owner Blend Beauty with Conservation

Across Belize, countless budding entrepreneurs are striving to become the country’s next big success story. Many of these innovators are venturing into fields like beauty, health, and conservation. Tonight, we hear from Hughette Saul, the owner of A.S.H. Limited, who is blending all three by offering skin and hair products that are not only good for your body but also kind to the environment. We visited Saul today to learn more about her mission to revolutionize health and wellness in Belize.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Self-care doesn’t need to be complicated. Just ask Hughette Saul! With a few simple ingredients, she’s revolutionizing the way we think about wellness. Hughette is the mastermind behind Barrier, a unique agricultural health and wellness brand that’s making waves under her company, A.S.H. Limited.

Hughette Saul, Owner, A.S.H. Limited

“Barrier is an agricultural based business and the products that we make, they are supposed to give Belize a healthy alternative to these toxic imports that we bring in.”

Britney Gordon

“So what’s this range of products look like?”

Hughette Saul

“The first product we created was coral-safe sunscreen because we found out how terrible these imported brands are for people, fish, coral reefs, and we branched off since then, and now we have a sort, different sorts of scrubs. We also have a leave in hair growth formula. We have mouthwash, as well as pain relief.”

Barrier is all about offering healthier alternatives to the everyday items Belize usually imports. But there’s more to it—Hughette Saul is passionate about protecting Belize’s beautiful marine life from harmful chemicals. It’s this love for the ocean that sparked her inspiration to create the brand.

Hughette Saul

“Years ago, I went with my siblings to celebrate my father’s birthday in Mexico and it was very depressing to snorkel. All of the coral reefs were white and there was only one nurse shark kind of swimming around and that was upsetting compared to Belize’s. Beautiful corals and fish. And fast forward to a documentary I came across that stated how sunscreen plays a role in coral bleaching. From there, I did more research, and when I decided to do my master’s in business administration, I also decided to study sunscreen in particular. So every marketing class, every logistics, and my thesis, it’s all built around this coral safe sunscreen.”

During her research, Hughette Saul found out that many imported brands like Banana Boat and Sun Bum have chemicals that cause coral bleaching and mess with fish hormones, even turning some fish into females and disrupting the natural balance. Since she registered her brand in 2021, Saul has been a strong advocate for protecting our reefs. But lately, she’s hit a few bumps in the road while trying to re-register her brand.

Hughette Saul

“Once I submitted the registration re-registration form, I received an email with a list of corrections and then a two thousand dollar fee. I attempted to go to the Keystone building in Belize City on the fifth floor to speak to someone, but I was not able to speak to someone. And this is after phone calls and using their WhatsApp option.”

Hughette Saul shared that the initial registration for her business cost between eight hundred and one thousand dollars. She had to take a break from her business to earn some money through teaching, so she didn’t re-register during that time. Now that she’s ready to jump back into her company, the two-thousand-dollar re-registration fee is just too steep for her budget.

Hughette Saul

“I was hoping to hear something like, there’s a payment plan for two thousand dollars. It’s also a lot more than I paid to register the business in the first place, which does not make sense to me. I believe that or the reason that this is also so aggravating to me, I’m a trained economist. I’m aware that foreign businesses, they get tax breaks 5 years. So, we see these Saritas and we see the foreign companies that can afford two thousand dollars but they get the tax breaks and but they have the money barrier A.S.H. Limited does not have the money in this moment.”

Hughette Saul runs a one-woman show, crafting her products right in her kitchen with ingredients she grows herself. But in November, disaster struck when her garden flooded, wiping out many of her plants. Now, she’s working hard to replant and expand her stock. Hughette hopes that by raising awareness of her brand, she can keep her business thriving and continue championing the cause she’s so passionate about.

Hughette Saul

“To be honest I will accept my fate. And but the point is to take this opportunity to raise awareness of the cost of doing business in Belize that we give more concessions to foreign companies than local companies, which is not right. It’s not right. And to also bring awareness of the fact that a lot of the products that we’re using are harming us. The things that we think would help, like Listerine, Crest, we use these products thinking, Oh, it’s going to freshen my breath. It’s killing bad breath germs, but without realizing that it’s a little coloring and alcohol and it’s really causing more harm than good. So I really would like to get the brand out there so that I can earn that two thousand.”

Britney Gordon for News Five.

Belize City Council Paying Outstanding Debt to BWC

The Belize City Council is finally paying off the eight hundred-thousand-dollar debt owed to the Belize Waste Control, which caused a garbage crisis in the Old Capital late last year. Thankfully, garbage collection resumed before the end of 2024. Mayor Bernard Wagner credited Prime Minister John Briceno for bringing both parties to the table to reach an agreement. When asked if the central government bailed out the council, Mayor Wagner clarified that the council is handling the debt repayment. He also continues to advocate for a garbage collection tax for Belize City residents.

Bernard Wagner, Mayor, Belize City

“I have not shied away from that. I have been saying for years that the residents must. It is your garbage and the city has the responsibility to ensure that we are not utilizing funds that would be normally used for street rehabilitation and other operational purposes on your garbage. That has to be at some point addressed. Why is Belize City different from other municipalities? All the other municipalities has legislation to collect a garbage fee. I have not shied away from that. I do believe we have residents who want to pay. I have had residents who say mayor we want to pay a fee because we are a responsible contributor to our city.”

Paul Lopez

“Did the central government bail out the council where that outstanding balance was concerned?”

Bernard Wagner

“We are paying those outstanding balance. It is always a cashflow problem. Cash flow is how you manage it. During the slow season there will be a slow down of revenues coming into the council’s coffers. So it is about managing it, but we are, as we speak keeping up to our obligations to the Waste Control Board, as a city.”

Paul Lopez

“So there was not a bail out?”

Bernard Wagner

“We had very good discussions with the prime minister and he helped us with getting the parties to the table and formulating a plan and that plan is being adhered to as we speak.”

B.S.I Says Sugar Commission Report Includes Its Recommendations

The Commission of Inquiry’s report on Belize’s sugar industry, completed at the end of November 2024, is still under wraps. The commission handed the report to the prime minister, who will decide when to share it with the public. Mac McLoughlin, General Manager of A.S.R/B.S.I, hinted that a sneak peek at the documents shows many of the sugar factory’s recommendations were included. Meanwhile, Alfredo Ortega from the B.S.C.F.A. mentioned that they are eagerly waiting to see what the report contains.

Mac McLoughlin, General Manager, A.S.R/B.S.I

“What we’ve seen so far, I mean, it really just tells us what we were expecting, which is that we really need to concentrate on modernizing and improving the productivity and quality in the cane farm, you know. I think the commission will be recommending a number of things, including quality testing and improved quality testing of cane in the future. Increasing, amounts of replanting of cane because these things are not rocket science. This is what any modern industry has to do, and I assume it will be talking about finding funding for, for farmers to be able to achieve that because that’s what’s required, that we need investment in the cane farm. The factory has had a lot of investment in it and I think if we can get to the right quality levels, we can prove what our industry here can achieve.”

Alfredo Ortega, Chairman, Committee of Management, B.S.C.F.A, Orange Walk Branch

“The Prime Minister said that report will give an opportunity to better off the Sugar Industry Act. So we are waiting on that so that we can also have our start the negotiation with BSI in regards to our agreement based on what the Commission brings out.”

Important Agriculture Road in the West to be Paved

The road from Bullet Tree Village to the Spanish Lookout Community is a lifeline for Belize’s agricultural sector, with farmers transporting livestock and grains along this route every day. Now, this crucial stretch is getting a much-needed upgrade. On Friday, a groundbreaking ceremony in Santa Familia Village marked the start of paving the nine and a half miles. News Five’s Paul Lopez has the details.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

On Friday, the Government of Belize kicked off an exciting project to pave nine and a half miles of road from the Spanish Lookout Community to Bullet Tree Village. Orlando Habet, the Area Representative for Cayo Northeast, highlighted the road’s significance, noting that over fifty percent of Belize’s cattle exports to Guatemala travel this route. This upgrade is set to boost the nation’s economic growth by improving this vital thoroughfare.

Orlando Habet, Area Rep., Cayo Northeast

“For many years we have been looking through various administrations to get this road paved, because it is heavily trafficked. We have hundreds of workers that come this side and work In Spanish Lookout. We have farmers who have access to their farms through this road and as I mentioned, very important, because sixty to seventy percent of all the cattle that goes to Guatemala passes through this road. All the corn and all the beans exported pass through this road. When we have flooding events it is important, because apart from those commodities, we have chicken, egg, beef, milk, ice cream, you name it, all the food items that has to pass through here when the lower lying bridges are closed. So, it is important.”

Habet also pointed out that this project will boost property values along the road and open up new opportunities for tourism in the area. The initiative is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and the Spanish Lookout Community. According to Julius Espat, the Minister of Infrastructure Development & Housing, the community is even pitching in to help finance part of the work.

Julius Espat, Minister of Infrastructure Development & Housing

“This project is a special project, because it is a public, private venture. It is the Spanish Lookout community coming together with government and financing the project to make it work. It was one of the ways we found to fast track the bureaucratic way of doing road construction. So I would like to sincerely thank the Credit Union of Spanish Lookout who I know are the people with the cheese, so thank you very much and the leadership of Mr. Reimer of Spanish Lookout.”

Cayo North Area Representative Michel Chebat was also present at the groundbreaking ceremony in Santa Familia Village. He says this is phase one of Plan Belize. The work is expected to be completed in eighteen months.

Michel Chebat, Area Rep., Cayo North

“It is important because it will enhance the lives of all our citizens in the area. It will make commerce better. It will make access to education, agriculture, all the lands around here, the value of these lands will appreciate. So it is a win-win situation. It represents a commitment and a belief by government in the residents and the people of Belize. This government believes in our people, and we are working to make the lives of our people better. This is just another example of that commitment to making people’s lives better under Plan Belize. This is Plan Belize phase one, because in a few months we are going to have phase two of plan Belize.”

Joyce Tun, Chairlady, Santa Familia

“We can attest to the fact that from day one when this government came into power we saw the roads upgraded and keeps being upgraded and maintained. And we can say it is not only talk and talk, but you also walk the talk and this is important to us.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

A Portion of Old Haulover Creek Bridge Going to Branch Mouth

A piece of the old Haulover Creek Bridge is heading to the Cayo District! On Friday, Orlando Habet announced at an event in his Cayo Northeast constituency that a request had been made to place part of the bridge between Branch Mouth community and San Ignacio Town. Following his speech, Minister of Infrastructure Development Julius Espat confirmed that the bridge is on its way and will significantly improve access to the town for many residents.

Orlando Habet, Area Representative, Cayo Northeast

“I am hoping that Minister Julius Espat will tell you that we also requested and asked that the bridge in Belize City, that when that bridge is dismantled it can be placed somewhere here close to branch mouth so that you can have a close access from San Ignacio to Santa Familia and beyond. So that will also cut a few miles instead of going around.”

Julius Espat, Minister of Infrastructure Development

“I must backup Landy when he mentioned the bridge. We have now dismantled the section of the bridge that will be coming here and it will come. So, the bridge is now not in place at Haulover. The contractor has dismantled it and have it in his compound. They will have to do some refurbishing and that is where the chief engineer takes over with all the technical expertise to design the permanent concrete structure to hold the bridge. So you will have the bridge. There is another bridge that we are in discussion with the Spanish Lookout community that if these guys do their work properly and myself and we form government again, we will be looking at the other bridge here in the Cayo district that is very important to us.”

Current residents in the area has access to a bridge across the Belize River that is only big enough for pedestrians.

Will there be Redistricting in a Second Briceño Administration?

The Briceño administration is currently in the hot seat at the High Court, thanks to a claim by the Belize Peace Movement (BPM) over the long-delayed redistricting exercise. With the general election just around the corner, we asked Prime Minister John Briceño if this failure is a black mark on his People’s United Party Government.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“I can give you an assurance that as soon as we get in, that will be a priority, we have to do re-districting in the next government and I plan to work on it… well not us, and it’s not the government, but the Elections and Boundaries Commission. We need to know the process but they are the ones that lead the process for the redistricting exercise and it’s given to the government to then take to the house. It’s the house that then either accepts or rejects the results of the redistricting exercise.

Isani Cayetano

“Do you believe that it had to have gone to the extent where it is before the court now or it should have been something that, I would want to think, could have been dealt with in short order, considering the fact that you were on the side of redistricting prior to November 2020.”

Prime Minister John Briceño

“You really di try find something weh gaan wrong wid dis government, through?

Isani Cayetano

“I’m just calling it what it is.”

Prime Minister John Briceño

“I’m not gonna argue on that one. I believe that the Elections and Boundaries Commission could have worked faster or more diligently and probably have more consultations with the public and to see how best it can work. And so, at the end of the day, we are the government and I, as the head, have to take the responsibility. So, I will take responsibility for that and I can assure that we want, as soon as we get in, to make sure that we start working on it. I’m hoping that one or two years at the most, we should be able to already have that settled.”

Musa Still Aiming to Legalize Cannabis in Belize

It’s been over six years since Belize decriminalized the possession of up to ten grams of cannabis. Last year, the Ministry of New Growth Industries hinted at the possibility of full legalization. Today, we caught up with Minister Kareem Musa for an update. He admitted that progress has been slow but emphasized the many potential benefits of bringing the cannabis industry to Belize.

Kareem Musa, Minister of New Growth Industries

“There’s no update on it but I know that 2025 is an election year and it is my hope as minister that we’ll be able to get that on the ballot. I feel that it opened up an appetite for innovation within the private sector. Looking at new industries that might not be your traditional industries aquaculture or sugar and citrus and bananas, I see that it definitely opened up a whole realm of possibilities. It does require, however, that we amend a lot of legislation to assist industries like the cohune industry in moving forward. And so I think that while it is that the main focus of creating the new industry was to see how we can introduce cannabis as one of those industries, I think there are so many other bright ideas that have come forward and hopefully even the orange economy, the film industry, the music industry, these can be put as priorities in the next administration.”

Musa says Cannabis Multibillion-Dollar Industry

Besides the potential revenue from the cannabis industry, Minister of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries, Kareem Musa, points out that decriminalizing the plant could help curb illicit drug activities in Belize. He argues that while small amounts of marijuana have been legal for years, the absence of a regulated industry fuels dangerous drug trade. Here’s more on that.

Kareem Musa, Minster of New Growth Industries

“I’m confident that if the cannabis were to be placed on the referendum, whether we as Belizeans want to see a regulated industry that is governed by legislation that is taxed, that is not part of this illegal black market that has cost us so many lives. I think that we want to make it make sense because cannabis has been decriminalized so you can’t have ten grams on you, you have no way of getting it and that is why there is this illegal dark market which is costing so many Belizean lives and so if you look at all the benefits moving forward of having that industry. I think Belizeans will realize that, and it is a multi-billion dollar industry. And I think we can make it make sense by voting yes in the referendum.”

Cattle Landing Residents Want DIGI Cell Tower Relocated

In the small southern community of Cattle Landing, Toledo District, eighty-eight residents have come together to sign a petition asking Village Council Chairman Waluco Maheia to relocate Digi’s cell tower. Back in December 2024, they wrote a letter to Maheia and sent copies to the Prime Minister, the area representatives for Toledo East and West, the head of Project Management at Digi, and BTL’s Legal and Regulatory Affairs Department. The residents are upset because they feel they were kept in the dark about the tower being set up at the community center. They have several reasons for their petition, starting with the claim that there was no proper consultation or vote among the villagers, especially those living closest to the tower who are most affected.

Waluco Maheia, Chairman, Cattle Landing Village

“BTL, DIGI, reached out to Cattle Landing Village Council and requested to erect a tower, rent a space or a parcel of land to erect a tower within the community to provide better service to Cattle Landing residents, that immediate community and also a broader radius. We reached out to the villagers, hosting a meeting where the erection of the BTL tower was one of the topics. We had a turnout, it was a small turnout from the community. We had about maybe eight or ten participants at that meeting, we still addressed the topic as that is typically the average of our meetings in the past, and we proceeded with the project. It was in October, I believe, [that] the project began and majority of the villagers requested for better service and would benefit from having a cell tower in the village. I must mention, as well, that the village council and the village would also benefit because Digi would be providing rent for the space, a total of five hundred dollars a month, that would be used for maintenance of the village, the immediate community center and the football field.”