The Government of Belize, in collaboration with Belize Tax Services, has launched a fantastic initiative to give back to taxpayers across the country. On December fourteenth, fifteenth, twenty-first, and twenty-second, any local retail purchases will be GST exempt! Yes, for four days in December, you can shop at your grocery stores, supermarkets, hardware stores, and convenience stores—basically any retail store—without paying the usual twelve and a half percent in General Sales Tax. However, some items like gasoline, alcoholic beverages, and cigarettes won’t be GST exempt.
Michelle Longsworth
Michelle Longsworth, Director General, Belize Tax Services
“We are now announcing that we will have GST tax free days in December. This coming weekend, which is the fourteenth and fifteenth, Saturday and Sunday and next coming weekend which is the twenty-first and the twenty-second weekends, all high spending, this is the high spending months, these days will be GST free. Based on our data analytics and economic trends, we were able to properly advise to say this is an initiative that government can undertake bring government and the people closer. So the GST tax free days will see our tax payers going into stores purchasing tax free for those days, twelve point five percent, tax free. So that will be deducted form your spending. It is important to know for the business side, it is going o be simple. They don’t have to reprogram their registers. Most of them use the POS systems, there will be no need to reprogram their systems. They will just offer the twelve point five percent as a discount line. Meaning, that when you as the tac payers go in. we are empowering our tax payers. All year around, we as the tax administration we always advise people ask for your receipt, look for your receipt. All stores, everywhere you go, from the mom and pop that charges GST, to Courts, the big retail, everywhere, it is across the board, the entire country of Belize. Whenever you go into the store and you are purchasing cash based. The following goods are not exemptible, goods that are imported, at importation all importers will still have to pay their GST. Goods on consignment or others sold for wholesale purposes. The supply of goods on credit, or credit installment or higher purchases. Those are not included. The supply of motor vehicles, gasoline, LPG, diesel, guns, ammunition, cigarettes, alcoholic beverages, those are not included.”
Minister of Public Service, Henry Charles Usher, shared that the Government of Belize is foregoing five million dollars in GST revenue due to the four-day exemption. He explained that this is just one of many targeted initiatives the government is rolling out to help ease the high cost of living.
Henry Charles Usher
Henry Charles Usher, Minister of Public Service
“It is important to understand that this is a targeted initiative, because we are always talking about cost of living and the effects of inflation. We know that inflation is something we import just like how we import goods. This government has taken the initiative to have targeted release efforts to consumers for Belizean citizens. You saw the prime minister announce at the State of the Nation Adrees, the announcement the movement of income tax. He announced that the mortgages of a hundred thousand dollars and less, there will be no stamp duty on those. Those are targeted relief to combat the cost of living. This is another targeted initiative, because most of the persons who are in the different bracket, because the already brought their goods. They have their freights coming in, bought it on Amazon or wherever. This wont cover that. What this will cover are those Belizean getting paid this week, because this week is payday week, that will be able to go to the stores and have a discount. This discount is important to understand that this twelve and a half percent relief to what the store is already offering. So if the store is offering a ten percent discount this is a twelve and a half percent on top of that. So you are looking at a twenty-two and a half percent discount. And, from the data that the Tax Service has, normally on a regular weekend, the tax collected from GST during the weekend is around one and a half to two million. Around this time of the year, Christmas time, demand is higher, it is closer to two and half million. So, you are looking at five million dollars between the two weekends that the government or the tax department is putting back into the pockets of Belizean citizens.”
People have been speculating about the election date like gamblers trying their luck at Boledo. But it looks like we’ll have to keep guessing. When we caught up with the Prime Minister today, the only hint he gave us was: soon.
Prime Minister John Briceño
“It is not going to be announced at the next House meeting, which is going to be next week Friday. I think that’s going to be the 13th of- you know, what they say, Friday the thirteenth. We’re not going to announce it then. We’re going to do it some other time. As I said, we will not call elections until 2025 and next year when it’s 2025. And so I tell everybody, get ready, it’s 2025 it’s going to be an election year.”
Earlier today, the European Union, led by Head of Delegation Dr. Erja Askola, signed two important contracts with the country offices of the International Office on Migration and the International Labor Organization. These new projects aim to boost inclusive socio-economic development in southern Belize and enhance the capabilities of government institutions for integrated border control planning and management. The signing ceremony for these two grant agreements, worth around sixteen million Belize dollars, took place today. Both initiatives highlight the crucial partnership between the United Nations system and the European Union in breaking down barriers to inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development in Belize.
Erja Askola
Dr. Erja Askola, Head of EU Delegation
“Our contracts that are going to be signed today they are based on a financing agreement that we have signed with the Government of Belize. So we are passing to implementation, to putting things into practice. So real action and real action on the ground, this is what counts to the citizens and this is what will result in concrete impact on the ground and this is what we want. Now one of the contracts is one that implemented by IOM, mainly for customs migration and orders, but also on forest protection. Very important and these are crucial priorities, joint priorities for the European Union together with the Government of Belize.”
Diana Locke
Diana Locke, Head of Office, IOM Belize
“I will share with you, ambassador has shared with you the various ministries that will be involved and the partners, and I will tell you a little bit mor now, quickly, about the activities that we will have under there. So one of them is aimed at developing a national strategy for border management and border integration. Another one also in the environment area, conservation, is to update the management plan for conservation. Along with the ministry of the border agencies, we will be helping to develop standard operating procedures for intra and inter offices working together. We are also going to be doing a lot of capacity building, training for immigrations, customs officers, border officials, in a sense. We will be doing online platforms for training that will be left behind, looking at the issues such as human rights, gender-based violence, some of these other topics that are not always associated with immigration services.”
Access to clean water is a cornerstone of rural development, and a water rig truck plays a crucial role in making this possible. These trucks are essential for drilling wells and providing reliable water sources in remote areas where infrastructure is often lacking. By bringing clean water to rural communities, water rig trucks help improve health, boost agricultural productivity, and support overall economic growth. They are a vital tool in the fight against poverty and a key component in building sustainable, thriving rural communities. Earlier today, the Taiwanese government handed over a water rig truck to the Ministry of Rural Transformation. Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano with the following story.
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
In rural Belize, access to clean and safe drinking water can be limited. Water trucks help deliver potable water to these communities, ensuring that residents have a reliable source of water for drinking, cooking, and hygiene.
Oscar Requena
Oscar Requena, Minister of Rural Transformation
“One of the sustainable development goals speaks, and that is SDG 6, speaks to ensuring that we provide clean, safe, potable water and that we improve sanitation, you know, across the world. And in Belize, we have worked very hard, diligently over the last four years to deliver on that SDG. Over the last four years, we have worked diligently across all of Belize. We have drilled wells for water systems, for farmers, for institutions. We have airlifted, we have chlorinated hundreds of wells across this country.”
Water is an essential resource that helps improve the quality of life and sustainability in rural communities that rely on agriculture as a primary source of income. Wells provide a consistent and reliable source of water, which is essential for daily living. This is especially crucial in areas where other water sources may be seasonal or unreliable.
Oscar Requena
“When I got to the ministry, we found two trucks that are twenty-four years old. They work two days, three days [and] they break down for a month, one of them. Fortunately, we have one that has been going and that has been helping us that throughout those challenges, as I’ve said earlier, we have drilled hundreds of wells across this country to serve the Belizean people. But we were not satisfied and I said to my team, you know, we must be visionary because if we are going to lead a nation, as leaders we must be visionary, we must be goal-oriented, we must be focused and we must work hard in ensuring that we bring the goods and services to all Belizeans.”
Well rig trucks are indispensable tools in rural development, offering a range of benefits that enhance the quality of life, support economic activities, and promote sustainable development. By providing a reliable source of water, well rig trucks help in the sustainable management of water resources. Properly drilled wells reduce the need for surface water extraction, which can deplete natural water bodies and harm ecosystems.
Jiun-Shen Hwang
Jiun-Shen Hwang, Counselor, Taiwanese Embassy
“The well rig truck can also be deployed to reinforce water supply for agriculture, for irrigation. We are convinced that the project will contribute to the fostering of rural development and more decent living in rural areas. First of all, to our shared values, we commit ourselves to a stronger partnership and mutual assistance. With this project, we reaffirm this commitment as we celebrate thirty-five years of diplomatic relations. We take pride in collaborating in our initiatives that directly benefit the Belizean people.”
In times of drought or other natural disasters, well rig trucks can quickly mobilize to provide emergency water supplies. This capability is crucial for maintaining the resilience of rural communities against environmental challenges. Isani Cayetano for News Five.
We begin tonight’s newscast with an update on the garbage collection issue plaguing Belize City. For the past two weeks, some streets have been overflowing with unsightly, smelly trash that hasn’t been picked up. Residents in the Freedom Street area of Port Loyola told us on Monday that they haven’t seen the garbage truck in two weeks. The problem is that the Belize City Council is short on cash and hasn’t been able to pay Belize Waste Control for the past three weeks. The bill is reportedly over eight hundred thousand dollars. But when will this problem be fixed? We asked City Councilor Kaya Cattouse, who is responsible for Sanitation and Maintenance. She said that CitCo is working with Belize Waste Control to resolve the issue, but she couldn’t say when residents can expect their garbage to be collected.
Kaya Cattouse
Kaya Cattouse, Belize City Councilor, Garbage Maintenance
“The company responsible has not been picking up the garbage for whatever reasons and as a result of this The residents of Belize City have been left with garbage on the streets and it has been looking bad, feeling bad. Nobody wants to see garbage everywhere.”
Marion Ali
“I understand the reason is because the Council has been unable to meet the garbage fee, the collection fee. Has the Council sat down with these people to try to work out something? Has the Central Government even intervened? That’s what the Deputy Prime Minister, Cordell Hyde said, there might be some need for an intervention by Central Government. Has all of that taken place?”
Kaya Cattouse
“The garbage situation has been ongoing even before Council – David Fonseca’s administration, Zenaida Moya’s administration, Darrell Bradley’s administration, and now Bernard Wagner’s administration. And if we can see that all these mayors, all these heads have had an issue with garbage situation and for whatever reason, cannot come to some kind of proper arrangement to get it resolved, then we have to look deeper into it because that is telling you that there is more to whatever contract there is.”
Marion Ali
“Has the Council received a lawsuit from the company because of nonpayment?”
Kaya Cattouse
“I am not able to comment on that.”
Marion Ali
“Well, as the Councilor responsible though, can you say when we can expect that the streets will be cleaned, the garbage won’t be out there lying around for days on end?”
Kaya Cattouse
“So we have been trying our best to, clean the areas that we can. However, it is not within the scope of the contract for the City Council trucks to actually pick up residential garbage. So, it’s not something that we can just take our trucks and go out there and pick up the garbage. Because then, that will cause another problem. So we are trying to work as best as we can with the company and see how best we can rectify the situation as soon as possible.”
Earlier today, we also spoke with the General Manager of Belize Waste Control Limited. Both the company and the Belize City Council are keeping quiet about the details of their discussions. However, James Nisbet mentioned that they are hopeful the issue will be resolved in the coming days.
James Nisbet
James Nisbet, General Manager, Belize Waste Control
“As with any business, we do have some issues from time to time, operations-wise, financial-wise; however, the company has been able o work through all of those difficulties in the past and we were sure that we will have some difficulties going forward. However, we have been doing all that we can with the resources that are available to us in collecting the garbage. We understand the inconveniences that have been caused by a shortfall of picking up, maybe two streets and we need to do it two days later and the problem becomes compounded, and it looks a whole lot worst from a residential standpoint, as well as from an outside looking in standpoint. We are completely aware of the hardships that all businesses face, i.e. the Belize City Council. We are in dialogue with them and hopefully we can reach some kind of arrangement with them sometime very soon, but in the meantime, I ask and I beg the indulgence of the citizens, the residents, to try and work with us a little bit. We are doing the best that we can with the resources that we have at this time.”
Isani Cayetano
“Now I understand that the debt owed by the Belize City Council is an accumulation over a period of time. Are you guys able to continue with the operations or the day-to-day and meet your financial end?
James Nisbet
“I would not like to comment too much on that other than to say that we have and we will continue to work with the city council on conducting what we do. It has become challenging for us to maintain the absolute best possible service that we can with the resources that are available to us. Like I said, we are doing our best to try and see how we can remedy that. So we hope that we can reach a resolution very, very soon.”
The Government of Belize recently presented its case at the International Court of Justice regarding the responsibilities of states in tackling climate change. These hearings are a historic step towards global climate accountability, aiming to clarify what countries must do to reduce climate impacts and protect vulnerable populations. Doctor Kenrick Williams, C.E.O. in the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Climate Change, highlighted the severe threat climate change poses to Small Island Developing States like Belize. He emphasized that this Advisory Opinion is a crucial opportunity for the international community to define state obligations in addressing this global crisis. For Belize, the stakes are incredibly high. Doctor Williams pointed out the significant challenges Belize faces, such as rising sea levels, warming oceans, and more frequent and severe storms. He shared the example of Monkey River, a community suffering from severe coastal erosion and economic losses, to illustrate the broader climate crisis affecting SIDS worldwide.
Kenrick Williams
Dr. Kenrick Williams, C.E.O., Ministry of Sustainable Development
“Belize is uniquely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, our nation is home to the second largest coral reef system in the world, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the largest tract of forest outside of the Amazon in Central America. These are not just natural treasures, they are lifelines for our biodiversity, economy and cultural heritage, yet they are under siege from rising sea levels, warming oceans, and increasingly severe storms. Hurricane Lisa, alone, in 2022, caused damages of nearly US one hundred million dollars, affecting nearly forty percent of our population. Let me take one example of the profound human and environmental toll of climate change on Belize and on Small Island Developing States, more generally. That is the case of Monkey River, once a thriving community engaged in fishing and ecotourism, it is now in crisis. Rising sea levels and intensifying storms, unmistakable markers of climate change, have stripped away its coastline with some areas losing up to two meters annually. This underscores the urgent need for clarity on states’ obligations under international law to protect vulnerable nations.”
Despite these challenges, Belize has shown resilience by protecting over forty percent of its territory, shifting to renewable energy, and creating innovative financing mechanisms like the Blue Bonds for marine conservation. The I.C.J. is now considering important questions about state duties to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, prevent environmental harm, and support adaptation measures. Belize has urged the court to provide clear guidance to enhance accountability and international cooperation under frameworks like the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement.
It’s December, and you know what that means—Christmas songs are on repeat, and everyone’s thinking about what they need to buy for the season. For many, this time of year can be financially stressful with all the food, shopping, wish lists, and getting the house ready. It’s also a time when people often spend more than they can afford to enjoy the holiday. While keeping up with Christmas traditions is important for many families, is it possible to celebrate without breaking the bank? News Five’s Paul Lopez dives into this question in this week’s installment of Five Point Break Down.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
Christmas is just around the corner, and the holiday expenses are piling up. Belizeans everywhere are getting ready by buying marly to lay down, eyeing that turkey and ham, shopping for new curtains, and checking off items on the family wish list. But with the cost of goods steadily rising, are shoppers sticking to a budget? We asked them to find out.
Paul Lopez
“You budget for the Christmas or you take it as it comes?”
Gardenia Seguro
Gardenia Seguro, Burrell Boom Resident
“Sometimes I budget for the Christmas and then I take it as it comes, because we are a family of nine.”
Paul Lopez
“What dah the most important thing for you on that budget for Christmas?”
Gardenia Seguro
“That the kids deh get deh food, if I could afford it I get them a gift. But deh food and deh cake. The turkey, the ham and the cake.”
Amparo Acosta
Amparo Acosta, Pomona Village Resident
“I budget, I budget, I start budget from in a June. You know like how deh always say, June to November, June to November, that is when I start my Christmas preparations.”
Paul Lopez
“Why is it important for you to budget.”
Amparo Acosta
“Well, I am a person that loves Christmas, I go all out for Christmas, so I make my preparations from then.”
Rosita Glenn
Rosita Glenn, Belize City Resident
“I take it as it comes.”
Paul Lopez
“So what are the essentials you must have for Christmas?”
Rosita Glenn
“Mih turkey and mih ham, mih black cake and mih Lemondade, old fashion style.”
We spoke with several shoppers, and their responses varied. Some said they budget for themselves but spare no expense for their children. Others believe that food is the most important purchase during Christmas, with everything else being secondary. However, inflation is a concern. According to the latest report from the Statistical Institute of Belize, a pound of Irish potatoes costs more now than it did in November, and that’s a key ingredient for the beloved potato salad. While there’s no data on the current cost of a whole turkey, the good news is that the price of whole chicken has slightly decreased. On the other hand, ham can cost over three hundred dollars in extreme cases. And let’s not forget about budgeting for gadgets for the kids, new curtains, lights for the house, and the endless list of holiday expenses.
Budgeting for the Christmas
We sat down with Sherlet Neal, the Managing Director at the Belize Institute for Service Excellence, Leadership and Research, for some advice on how Belizeans can make their dollars stretch further this Christmas. One of the courses that Neal’s organization offers is on budgeting.
Sherlet Neal
Sherlet Neal, Managing Director, B.I.S.E.L.R
“I think what has worked for me and from our perspective as an organization is that Christmas is a short time. Bills last all year long, so while Christmas will come and go and it is a time for celebration, the bills don’t always go away. So what I usually advise people to do is pay your bills first. A lot of people defer their December bills so that they have more money in their pockets for Christmas. But come January, the bills are still there.”
Paying your December bills might seem like a no-brainer for some people, but for those worried about the fact that only a small amount will be left over, what do you do?
Sherlet Neal
“The first thing you want to do, my advice and what really works for me is invest in groceries, make sure you have food. I find that the real joy in Christmas is when family could get together sit down and eat and food available. Forget everything else, maybe a lee thing on the side if you are into drinking. But the real joy at Christmas after all the titivating up is people coming together. So, spend money on the food. Expect it will be a little more than your normal budget for food, because of the little ham and turkey and the merriment on the side, but buy your lee groceries. If you have a good family network, do a little putlock so it is not all on you the person hosting everybody.”
Neal also suggested steering clear of Christmas loans, opting for gifts with sentimental value rather than expensive ones, and repurposing or reusing items around the house like curtains and couch covers.
Businesses For the Budget Conscious
With more access to technology, many kids now see tech and gadgets as must-haves on their wish lists. Meanwhile, some shoppers are determined to get those new curtains. We visited two downtown stores to see if businesses are catering to budget-conscious shoppers.
Kayle Hernandez
Kayle Hernandez, Supervisor, Carry On Electronics
“Our air pods usually range from thirty-five dollars up. We also have some Galaxy Fit three and other accessories we will be getting, we often have a lot of accessories, budget friendly as you mentioned. Here we try to have quality as well as prices as well as December. We try to cater for all levels. If you want something cheaper, we try to have something that meets the same quality, or close to the same quality of the original ones or something close to what you want.”
Teresita Garbutt
Teresita Garbutt, Public Relations, Mikado
“Well they have curtains, they buy fabrics, rugs, comforters.”
Paul Lopez
“How durable is this material that you are making this curtain with? Is it something I can make a curtain, put it up this year and have it for next year again?”
Teresita Garbutt
“Yes, you can have it for this year and the next year after that.”
Paul Lopez
“What would you say comes out cheaper. Buying a curtain already made or making it yourself?”
Teresita Garbutt
“Well, it depends on your liking, because we have different people who still buy material to make their curtains and stuff that we have available.”
Starting the New Year Financially Sound
It’s interesting to note that today’s budgeting advice came from someone who hasn’t always been careful with money. As her son, I saw firsthand how we often spent more than necessary on things that were just for the season.
Paul Lopez
“When did you realize that all of that was counterproductive?”
Sherlet Neal
“For me, back then I was not concerned about saving, I was concerned about living for the now. We have a saying, January catches you broke, New Years catch you broke, you are going to be broke for the rest of the year. We used to say it and laugh, because most people first of January broke. We say, he, he, everybody broke. That is not a lie when you think about that saying, when January catch you broke, it is a huge indication that you will be indeed broke for the rest of the year, you are setting the tone.”
Today’s customers want fast, smooth, and personalized experiences. Digital transformation helps banks meet these expectations by offering 24/7 services through mobile apps and online platforms. Automating routine tasks like data entry and transaction processing reduces costs, minimizes errors, and boosts efficiency. With more digital transactions, the risk of cyberattacks has grown, but digital tools like AI-driven fraud detection and blockchain provide strong security to protect customer data. Digital transformation makes banks more agile, customer-focused, and data-driven, helping them keep up with the fast-changing financial world. Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano with a story on Belize Bank’s rebranding and digital transformation.
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
A digital-first approach to banking means prioritizing online and mobile services over traditional in-person banking. It’s a bold direction that the Belize Bank is taking under the leadership of Executive Chairman Filipo Alario. The transition makes banking more accessible, efficient, and user-friendly by leveraging technology.
Filipo Alario
Filipo Alario, Executive Chairman, Belize Bank
“Right now, your bank should be on your phone. Your bank should be in your pocket, in the palm of your hands, everywhere you go 24/7. That’s what we want to do. We have started our digital transformation with a commitment of making banking seamless and secure. Now let’s not forget about security. While some might find online banking intimidating, we are also investing a lot of money to ensure that your trust is well placed. Multifactor authentication, encrypted options and state-of-the-art cyber security are behind everything that we do.”
Banks use the latest technology to offer new features like budgeting tools, personalized financial advice, and enhanced security measures to protect the customer’s information. Transactions are also faster. You don’t have to wait in line at a bank branch; you can complete tasks with just a few clicks.
Agatha Ruta
Agatha Ruta, COO, Belize Bank
“Over the past few years, we have witnessed an unprecedented transformation in the way financial services are delivered, and this transformation is not only enhancing the convenience of banking but also driving significant socioeconomic progress in the region. At the heart of this transformation is a drive to achieve greater financial inclusion. In Central America, many people, particularly those in underserved areas, have traditionally faced barriers in accessing financial services. These barriers include limited physical presence of branches.”
With decades of service, innovation, and trust behind it, Belize Bank’s new brand identity showcases its transformation into a modern, forward-thinking financial institution. The refreshed look symbolizes progress, technological advancement, and a continued commitment to helping clients achieve their financial goals—all while staying true to the Belizean values that have always guided its journey.
Filipo Alario
“Today, I stand before you to unveil something small but it is monumental, in our view, in terms of significance, a new brand identity. That’s right. Today we are celebrating the launch of a tiny yet mighty digital symbol that embodies who we are, where we are and where we want to go.”
This transformation highlights the bank’s mission to provide innovative financial solutions while maintaining the trust and relationships it has built over the years. The unveiling was broadcast simultaneously across all branch locations, allowing clients and stakeholders nationwide to join in this special moment.
Filipo Alario
“This new symbol is more than a design, it’s a beacon of who we are, where we’ve been and where we’re heading. It’s a reflection of our roots, our purpose, and our vision for the future. Now let’s talk about our roots, we all know Belize Bank is the oldest bank in Belize. We’ve been around since 1902 and we are the second oldest bank in Central America. We’ve been continuously. This institution has been continuously open since 1902.”
