Belize City

Walk-trough Tour of Renovated Court Building

2 November 2018 by Thebeliz

Walk through of renovated court — The renovations to the Supreme Court are a part of a larger investment being conducted in the downtown area of Belize City. Photo; GOB

Belize City- In August of this year, the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation through the Belize City House of Culture and Downtown Rejuvenation Project commenced rehabilitation works at the Belize Supreme Court. On Tuesday, October 30th, government officials and invited guests viewed the completion of the much-needed rehabilitation works during a walk-through of the court.

The rehabilitation works included roof repairs, ceiling and associated electrical works, minor repairs to the air condition system, painting of the Cupula, and termite treatment. The works were made possible by a $60, 912.50 contribution by the Downtown Rejuvenation Project in addition to counterpart contribution by the Belize Supreme Court. Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin remarked that he was especially grateful for the repairs to the ceiling which had been caving-in.

Part of larger downtown are investment
The renovations to the Supreme Court are a part of a larger investment being conducted in the downtown area of Belize City. The project is funded by the Government of Belize and the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF) and executed by the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation through the Belize City House of Culture and Downtown Rejuvenation Project. Partners of the project include the National Institute of Culture & History (NICH) and the Belize City Council.

Also present at the walk-through were Mr. Yashin Dujon, Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation; Hon. Tracy Taegar-Panton, Minister with responsibility for the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Commerce; His Lordship Kenneth Benjamin, Chief Justice; Ms. Trinia Young, Registrar of Supreme Court; Mrs. Bi-Yin Chien, Deputy Council at the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan); and Mr. John Arana, Director of the Belize City House of Culture and Downtown Rejuvenation Project.

Social Security Board With Information Session on Nov. 8th

1 November 2018 by Thebeliz

Belmopan- The Social Security Board (SSB) is hosting the organization`s first annual information sharing event, SSB Connect. This forum promises to be an interactive and engaging session highlighting how the Social Security Board served its valued stakeholders in 2017.

Interested parties are invited to join SSB at the Best Western Biltmore Plaza on November 8 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. to receive important information and updates about SSB operations and the Fund.

The purpose of SSB Connect is to interact with stakeholders and to detail the current status of the fund by providing reports on collections and expenditures of your contributions and investments. The organization will also celebrate the service enhancements made in 2017 such as the Online Contribution Portal and the Direct Deposit services.

SSB asks interested parties to register via info@socialsecurity.org.bz

Progress Made With Sheep and Goat Certification Program

15 July 2018 by Thebeliz

Belmopan -The Livestock Unit of the Ministry of Agriculture, through the Genetic Improvement in Sheep and Goat Project, participated in the 54th Caribbean Food Crops Society Poster Presentation along with international presenters on July 10th, 2018 at the Princess Ramada Hotel in Belize City.

The unit’s poster showcased the Breeding Certification System on Small Ruminants and highlighted the main steps of the certification program, which includes the protocol for registration and certification of the breeding stocks, the breed types, the partners comprising the Certification Committee as well as defined the blood registration for up to three generation pedigree.

The Sheep Project, funded by Republic of China (Taiwan) in cooperation with Government of Belize, has been actively engaged in implementing the project’s main goals. Since its inception in December 2015, the Sheep Project has completed some of its main goals, which include the expansion of the infrastructure for the National Sheep and Goat Breeding Center housing facility, pasture and protein bank expansion, and the introduction of new sheep breed genetics from the United States of America.

Additionally, the Sheep Project has contributed to the development of the Sheep and Goat Certification Program for the sheep industry in Belize, specifically to assist the acceleration of genetic improvement, credibility and value of breeds at sheep-breeding farms countrywide. For this to be effective, the Belize Sheep/Goat Certification Committee was tasked with the responsibility to appraise the registration and certification, the application documents, review and issuance of certificates.

68 imported sheep of three different breeds, namely Katahdin, Dorper and Barbados Blackbelly, have been granted certification. 19 young lambs, offspring from the local basal registered ewes, also qualified and are confirmed for registration.

The Government of Belize with the support of the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan), through the Genetic Improvement in Sheep and Goat Project, is committed to improving the overall genetics in sheep through the importation and introduction of quality breeding stock, and the installment of a certification program to ensure the quality of the breeding stocks remain pure for up to three generations pedigree.

Belize and Panama Sign Cooperation Agreement

6 April 2018 by Thebeliz

Signing of cooperation agreement with Panama — The agreement was signed by Hon. Wilfred Elrington, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Panama was Her Excellency Marta Irene Boza, Ambassador of Panama to Belize. Photo: GOB

Belize City- Today, April 6th, the Governments of Belize and the Republic of Panama signed a Cooperation Agreement aimed at promoting and deepening the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.

Signing on behalf of the Government of Belize was Hon. Wilfred Elrington, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Panama was Her Excellency Marta Irene Boza, Ambassador of Panama to Belize.

The signing of this agreement is a major advancement in the bilateral agenda between the two countries as it establishes the necessary legal framework for cooperation. Areas for cooperation set out in the agreement include health, trade, tourism, education and culture.

Belize and the Republic of Panama share excellent ties since its establishment of diplomatic relations in 1981. Throughout the years, the relations have remained cordial and the two governments, through the signing of this historic agreement, seek to ensure greater prosperity and development of their people.

The official signing ceremony of the took place at the Laing Building in Belize City.

The start of scheduled flight by Panamanian Carrier COPA Airlines has made trade and travel between the two countries much easier than was the case in the past.

National Bank of Belize Charges Lowest Interest

3 April 2018 by Thebeliz

national-bank of Belize pic National Bank — The National Bank of Belize Belmopan Office. Photo: National Bank

Belize City- Government-owned National Bank of Belize (NBB) during the last quarter of 2017 charged the lowest average interest rates to its customers of all banks in Belize.

A recently published report from the Central Bank of Belize indicates that NBB’s average interest rate charged on its loans was 6.57%. The highest average interest rate during that period was charged by Belize Bank, namely 10.69%. Scotia Bank on average charged their customers 8.89%, Atlantic Bank 9.22% and Heritage Bank 8.35%.

NBB also scored best when it comes to the interest the bank pays its customers on deposits. NBB paid customers on average 2% on deposits, while Heritage Bank (0.45%) and Scotia Bank (0.79%) offered the lowest interest on deposits. Atlantic Bank paid its customers 1.89% and Belize Bank 1.40%.

National Bank of Belize Limited opened its doors for business on September 2, 2013 in the nation’s capital, Belmopan. The bank is fully owned by the Government of Belize and is still a relatively small player with only 2 branches, namely the main office in Belmopan and a branch office on Regent Street in Belize City. Despite the relatively low interest rate charged on loans, the bank still enjoys less brand recognition compared to the other (and bigger) commercial banks in the country.

The Governing Board of NBB is formed by Dr Carla Barnett as Chairman, Marion Palacio as Vice Chairman, Dylan Reneau as director and Barbara Hall, also director.