Is Belize Approved for $250M MCC Grant?

Belize has officially received approval for the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) grant. The MCC is an independent U.S. government agency working to reduce global poverty through economic growth, however earlier this year, the US’s Department of Government Efficiency decided to shut down the foreign aid agency. Now, the agency is back, and Belize is on the list to receive funds, but the question remains, will the amount granted be remain as two hundred and fifty million dollars? Minister of Foreign Affairs, Francis Fonseca, says that part has yet to be finalized.

 

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs

“ We don’t know. We don’t know that’s a part of the discussion. The good news is yes, that the MCC compact will continue. But the technical, again, the technical teams, the MCC team is working along with our team here in Belize education and energy and their team here in Belize to determine exactly what modifications will be made. We don’t expect any significant modifications, but I really don’t want to get ahead of that discussion that’s taking place.”

 

Britney Gordon

5:44 “Is the Global Fund still going to be providing funds to Belize in the long-term future, or is that money going to run out eventually?”

 

Francis Fonseca

“Yeah we expect that it will continue to support projects in Belize. But of course, again, all these things are on the review. Many of these organizations are reviewing their sources of funding. But our expectation is that yes, the Global Fund will continue to finance important projects in Belize.”