Government and Opposition Spar Over BSI Exemptions

The Upper House also clashed over proposed changes to the Sugar Industry Act that would extend tax and duty exemptions for Belize Sugar Industries. Lead Government Senator Eamon Courtenay defended the move, saying it’s critical to support the country’s only sugar factory and protect its role in the economy. But labour and opposition senators strongly objected. Union Senator Glenfield Denisson questioned whether the deal benefits a multinational company at the expense of cane farmers, while Opposition Senator Patrick Faber flatly rejected the proposal, warning it would hand BSI sweeping tax breaks for another ten years.

 

Eamon Courtenay, Lead Government Senator

“This bill is to, as it says, extend the current exemptions that are enjoyed by the Belize Sugar Industry an the purpose is to ensure we can give support to the factory, the sole factory in the country that is currently grinding cane, producing molasses, producing sugar and bagasse, all of which are vital for the economy of Belize. The factory requires these exemptions from taxes and duties to maintain its financial viability.”

 

Glenfield Dennison, Union Senator

“There is a double imbalance if you were, Madam president, between the profits being retained by a multinational and that value is not currently being shared with the producers of sugarcane in accordance with the Fairtrade premium which our farmers have been certified under the BSCFA. That is a hot button issue, so I have to ask the question whether or not we are fighting for multinationals over farmers’ rights.”

 

Patrick Faber, Lead Opposition Senator

“I don’t think any senator in this chamber should support this bill. Let me begin there.  What this bill does, and my friend Senator Dennison did a very good job of explaining it. It grants exemptions for business tax for another ten years. It removes withholding taxes on dividends, interests and technical services, removes customs duties, excise duties and stamp duties.”

 

The debate now heads to a vote, with senators sharply divided over whether long‑term tax breaks keep the sugar industry alive or tip the scales against cane farmers.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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