Sunday, January 23,Capital 2011 Capital WeeklyWeekly Page 1 From the Heart of the Nation to the Soul of the People

No. 002 Sunday, January 23, 2011 Price: $1.00 Superbond Strikes Again! AnotherAnother 3333 MillionMillion Gone!Gone!

Said Musa, the man who carried the , the man who ran the Mark Espat, the Architect of the Johnny Briceno, was Musa ‘s Deputy name of Prime Minister when the country’s finances, first as Minister of Superbond, now wants to be Leader, Prime Minister, now wants to be National Debt got out of hand Budget, then as Minister of Finance but has serious intra-party difficulties Prime Minister WeWe Can’tCan’t ForgetForget TheThe PastPast When We Are Paying In The Present AndAnd WillWill ContinueContinue toto PayPay inin thethe FutureFuture

Let’s preface this story by especially those seeking to get payment is due, we will have principal becomes due. That stating that this is not back into office, would like us to fork up 47 Million all at bullet payment, combined politics; it is ‘bread and to forget, and they are fond of once, as the interest would with the continuing payment butter’ to every Belizean stating that the current have increased from 6% to on the interest, will take the man, woman and child. administration must move on 8.5%. debt servicing up to over 100 Let’s paraphrase that and and forget the past. Speaking of which, we Million every six months. say, it is politics only to the But how can we forget the must remind you that, In other words, when extent that it is one set of past, when it is costing us so notwithstanding the combined with the continued politicians who got us into many millions in the present enormous burden we’ve payments on the interest, this bind, and another set of and will continue to cost us so been bearing over the past those bullet payments (to politicians who must now many millions more well into few years, it is only the repay the principal) would find the money to get us out the future? interest that we have been take the annual debt servicing of it. We must recap a little of paying up to this point, and payments up to over 200 The money they must find the history about this that is all we’ll continue to pay Million a year, since such is, of course, the Belizean onerous Super Bond; but first up until 2019. payments must be made, not people’s money, our money. the latest news, which is that Imagine how much more once, but twice every year. And the bind we’re speaking another $33 Million will painful it will be when As Prime Minister Hon. of is that infamous Super- become due in less than a payments on the principal noted in his Bond that is the legacy of the month, on February 20, kick in. Budget Speech last year, the last administration. 2011. That will first happen on It’s a story that members And by August of this year, August 20, 2019 when the (Continued on page 18) of that administration, when the next semi-annual first bullet payment on the Page 2 Capital Weekly Sunday, January 23, 2011

overcome and recover from any to secure their own livelihood Editorial storm, natural or man-made, and that of all others involved despite our limited resources and in the industry. Unity of Purpose our relative under-developed Again, it surely helps to status as a young nation. have a compassionate and agenda is nevertheless filled That, indeed, is Compassion understanding leader who, with good things, and that in and Competence, but it is also notwithstanding the enormity of the course of ups and downs, National Pride and Patriotism; the the challenge in every instance, fluctuating fortunes and kind of Patriotism that our has not hesitated to step in, to dramatic shifts, the one musical artists and poets sing save the day and to point the constant thing is Belizean and write about, but also the kind way forward. pride and patriotism. of Patriotism and National Pride But as has been proven in Belizean Patriotism and that literally see the word made the Sugar Industry and in National Pride are no vain or flesh as we band together and Disaster Management, it is only hollow attributes or dogma. work in concert to preserve life the commitment and hard work They are invaluable virtues and limb, to relieve families, of every individual, every Delroy Cuthkelvin founded on the Chairman, Editorial Board reconstruct homes, rebuild organization and every unconquerable faith and the communities and restore community, that will see us wenty Ten was no firm conviction that we are purpose. survive, overcome and, indeed, easy year for indeed the best nation on It’s an example we‘ve set not prosper. TBelizeans, and Earth; that the Creator, just for others, but also for Let us tackle and topple the Twenty Eleven promises to be no through nature, has blessed ourselves; for, indeed, if we take colossal challenges of the New easier, as the New Year has us with such wealth untold this model which we ourselves Year with the wisdom and already brought with it some because he has a purpose for have established in disaster experience we acquired in 2010 new and not so new challenges, this small but potentially management and adopt it to and prior, and with the unity of putting to test our resolve as a powerful nation as a beacon, every other challenge purpose that is our only hope People and a Nation. an example and an confronting us, we will for sure in 2011 and beyond! The uncertainty in the Cruise inspiration for our challenged see substantial progress on all Tourism Industry, despite the region and our troubled fronts in 2011. Prime Minister and his world. If we all work together, Capital Weekly Government’s best efforts to Consider the outstanding Police, Community, Churches, From the Heart of the Nation secure a new and favourable example in disaster Schools and Social Organizations, To the Soul of the People deal for tender operators; a hell management we have set for this could well be the year that Published By: of a time in Pomona Valley, as other counties in our region, we finally break the back of Roots & Rhythm Ltd. hitherto irreconcilable including our most powerful Crime and Violence. 15 Gibnut Street differences put the Citrus neighbour and ally to the This unity of purpose is also Industry in peril and the jobs and North, whose own the only way forward for Belizean livelihood of hundreds of independent media and Editor & Business tender operators and employees and Sales Manager: farmers, field workers and historians have labelled and in the Tourism Industry, for Wilbourne Cuthkelvin factory employees on the line, recorded Hurricane Katrina as selfishness and division cannot Chairman the Prime Minister having again the best (or worst) example secure victory in the path of the Editorial Board: stepped in to quell tensions and of how NOT to handle the advancing cruise-ships in 2011 Delroy Cuthkelvin hopefully broker a workable humanitarian aspect of a any more than it would have compromise and a viable way natural disaster. against the assault by the Telephone: 610-1284 forward; the level of Crime and For us, Hurricane Richard Spanish vessels in 1798. Violence, though showing signs was perhaps the best, though And, for sure, the only way Email: of a possible downward trend, only one of the many the Citrus Industry will move [email protected] still unacceptably high. examples of how a forward for the benefit of the Again, no one said it was government committed to the entire Country is if our brothers Special thanks to Alberto and going to be easy, and it surely wellbeing of its people, and and sisters in the South follow the Nyani August of the STAR isn’t. What the Prime Minister the people themselves Newspaper for their unselfish example of those in the North, assistance which enabled us did say and affirm in his New committed to their fellow putting their differences aside to get this publication off to a running start. Respect! Year’s Address is that the 2011 citizens, can weather, and resolving to work in concert Sunday, January 23, 2011 Capital Weekly Page 3 AidAidAid forforfor TradeTradeTrade

PMBigBigPM Hammers Hammers ConfConf Outerer Out enceenceNew New Deal Deal ComesComesfor Belizean for Tender Tendertoto BelizBelizOperators Operatorsee

a half ago on this very same help us to develop our topic. The address was titled: capacities, develop our “The Role of Aid for Trade in infrastructure, develop our Addressing Trade standards, develop our Disadvantages” and is capacity to penetrate reproduced elsewhere in this publication (Page 12). markets abroad, we should But, for a preview of the be able to contribute to the big conference on Friday, we creation of employment to turn to CEO in the Ministry of better social cohesion and to Foreign Affairs, Alexis growth and prosperity in the Rosado, who is himself a country generally. major player in the So it’s not just about Alexis Rosado Wilfred “Sedi” Elrignton economically revolutionary CEO, Ministry of Foreign Minister of Foreign Affairs and receiving aid, it’s also about strategy brilliantly dubbed Affairs and Foreign Trade Foreign Trade, us doing what is necessary to “Aid for Trade”, and in the do. The whole idea behind this take that leap forward in our t’s a big event! Big conference being held to is that we want to achieve productive sector as well.” people, big ideas, and unveil it. prosperity for the Belizean The Belizean public Ibig benefits if the big In an interview with the people generally and we Government Press Office’s needs to know that the plans eventually pay off! It’s hope that with this we will be Rudy Aguilar, Rosado made Government of is doing the Aid for Trade Conference able to achieve some of that.” the following remarks: all it can to assist the private which takes place this Friday The Aid for Trade “The whole idea of Aid sector to be able to have an January 21, 2011, at the Fort Conference is a one day event for Trade is to assist in putting environment that allows George Hotel in . which starts at 9:00 AM trade as an integral part of them to grow, that allows It’s got rhyme all right, and Friday January 21, at the our developmental strategy them to find markets for their reason all the more, as the Radisson Fort George Hotel in and our development products, that assists them in strategy to be unveiled is one Belize City, and culminates agenda. accessing markets, that helps which its architects say is with a press conference Trade, we recognize, is an in clearing the way for our intended to revolutionize the scheduled for 2:30 in the important engine for growth products to be able to enter entire concept of foreign afternoon. Officially opened and for development. In the into other markets. assistance to our developing by Minister of Foreign Affairs past, in our development We are doing our best, nation; one that will see us and Foreign Trade Hon. strategies, we have tended to and everything we have set not as hopeless dependents, Wilfred “Sedi” Elrington, it will recognize that; but we have out to do has been done in but as key participants in a feature a number of insightful referred to trade in passing, consultation with the private dynamic global economy. speakers, both local and really; we have not given it sector and the public sector, The conference will be international. opened by Minister of the level of importance and so that we could identify The conference and the Foreign Affairs and Foreign priority that we feel it certain priorities, certain strategy which it is all about, Trade, Hon. . deserves. goals, so that we can all be on are being coordinated by the Quite fitting, indeed, since With all the various board, we could all be singing Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sedi, as he is affectionately studies, research and from the same hymn sheet known, is a successful, well- and includes a number of line planning that have been when we talk with our respected attorney, but a ministries and agencies such taking place over the past international partners.” revolutionary nonetheless. as the Ministry of Agriculture, two years, we have now “There are many A strong reminder of the Belize Agriculture Health managed to put trade, countries, there are many constructive revolutionary in Authority (BAHA) and the this seasoned attorney, long- international trade, as a more international institutions that Bureau of Standards. time social activist turned important pillar of the are willing to assist Belize, that Cabinet Minister, came in an development process. are willing to help us, but at Capital Weekly address he delivered in We believe that by getting the end of the day, we need From the Heart of the Nation Venezuela almost a year and assistance from abroad to to know what it is we want to To the Soul of the People Page 4 At AtAt Last! Last!Last! Capital Weekly Sunday, January 23, 2011 Massive Expansion and Upgrade of Airports and Airstrips Countrywide ment. That’s exactly what particular the Belize is coming at long last! Municipal, which is In fact, the expansion clearly in need of an ex- and improvement is al- pansion and as you can ready underway and is see, it is in fairly bad about to move to a condition,” Tillett told grander scale, according Channel Seven News in to the Managing Director an interview. of the Belize Broadcast- There are basically ing Authority (BAA), two massive expansion Kenworth Tillett, who and improvement was making the rounds projects that are about to throughout the media this begin. One is for past week to inform the rehabilitation and upgrade public of the works that of the San Pedro Airport, are underway and those the other for the that are about to begin. expansion of the Belize “Basically, the au- City Municipal Airport. thority has to upgrade The San Pedro and expand several of the Project is a $3.1 Million airstrips across Belize, in (Continued on page 5) Hon. Manuel Heredia, Minister of Tourism & Civil Aviation “Is that where we’re going to land?” That was the question—more like a remark of astonishment— I once heard from a tourist as a local flight I was on began its descent to one of our local airstrips in Belize. Anyone who has ever travelled from one point to another in Belize, other than the Phillip Goldson International Airport, will readily agree our country’s network of local airports and airstrips needs major expansion and improve- What Belize City Municipal Airport will look like when the expansion and upgrade are completed AtAtAt Last!Last!Last! Sunday, JanuaryAtAtAt 23, 2011 Last!Last! Last! Capital Weekly Page 5 Massive Expansion and Upgrade of Airports and Airstrips Countrywide (Continued from page 4) Training and other related it,” Tillett explained. investment that is ex- services, to its member “And whenever you do pected to be completed countries.) that, you need to pay off within a six to eight month To implement the the loans that you are period. This project is a other project in Belize going to acquire. In the cooperative effort be- City, funds are being bor- better interest of the tween Cocesna and The rowed from abroad, which flying public we have Belize Airports Authority. is why the BAA will have instituted this “rider” to (Cocesna has already to start tacking on an ad- meet these obligations. Kenworth Tillettt, partnered with the BAA in ditional $5.00, called a At the point of pur- Managing Director , BAA funding both the Dangriga “Rider” fee, on all airfares chase a customer will be and Corozal project, and for passengers travelling charged in the ticket important that we work on now the San Pedro within the country. booth a $5.00 rider for these airstrips, that we Airport. It is an “We have no sub- the purchase of that fare. bring the system up to International Organization ventions or any other kind Nobody likes to some safety standard, that promotes Central of budget to do this, so for implement any kind of and we have to pay for it, American Integration, and safety purposes we must taxes, and certainly it so we have to levy these provides Air Navigation upgrade and we must would not be in the best taxes.” Services, Aeronautical expand, and therefore we interest of everybody just The Belize Air- Safety, Aeronautical need to seek funding to do to levy a tax, but it is very ports Authority is a Statu- tory Body in the Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Culture. The current cabinet minister with responsibility for this portfolio is Hon. Manuel Heredia, elected repre- sentative of Belize Rural South Division, in which the popular tourism desti- nation of San Pedro is located. Upon its appointment in 2008, the current BAA Board began developing a Master Plan for the upgrade of the en- tire system of aero- dromes. A grant was

Another angle of the design model for the expanded and upgraded Belize Municipal Airport (Continued on page 10) Page 6 Capital Weekly Sunday, January 23, 2011 “Belize Was The Wealthiest Settlement In The Caribbean” Could We Be Poised To Regain That Position ?

Last week we reported on But let’s not lose hope. the fact that coming out of the It’s not where you are that recession, Belize’s modest matters most, but where you growth rate of 2.4 percent, are headed. The independent projected to increase to 3.7 statistics show that although percent this year, is actually Belize is admittedly in the the highest in the entire Twenty First Century one of Caribbean at this point. We the poorest nations in the know very well that does not Caribbean, we have at all mean we are the nevertheless emerged from wealthiest nation in the the economic recession with region. But we once were, the strongest economic according to a respected growth in the same region. historian who this past week If only we can continue delivered a lecture in the this trend and ensure that nation’s capital, Belmopan on such statistical growth the Campus of the University converts into the social of Belize. Doctor Victor Bulmer Thomas and human progress which Professor Victor Bulmer enlightened by the wealth. Our Nation Anthem Prime Minister Barrow Thomas, who will soon be presentation, and most felt tells us: “Nature has blessed spoke about in his New launching a book in which he that Doctor Bulmer’s thee with wealth untold.” Year’s message, which he compares the Belize Economy arguments were sound and What we are also well says such growth must over the past two hundred well substantiated. Needless aware of now is the fact that underpin, Belize might well years with the rest of the to say, we have neither the throughout the years many be poised to once again Caribbean, told a packed hall time nor space to fully have come to this land and become one of the of students, educators and other interested Belizeans, that Belize was not always one of the poorest countries in the Caribbean as it now is, ranking 22 out of 28 in descending order of wealth. Doctor Bulmer contends—and supports his thesis with strong historical data—that Belize was once the wealthiest settlement in the entire Caribbean. He also presented strong arguments and data as to why Belize has over the past two hundred years fallen from that An Attentive Audience of Students, Educators and Senior Public Officers including Cabinet Secretary envious position to its recount those arguments. exploited this natural wealth, wealthiest, if not the present standing in Suffice it to say, it comes as while those who were born wealthiest, of countries in the comparison to its regional no surprise to us, for we were and bred here are Caribbean. allies. always well aware of the fact systematically denied the All those who attended that this little country of ours opportunity to reap the full (Continued on page 7) the lecture say they felt was fashioned and created in benefits. Sunday, January 23, 2011 Capital Weekly Page 7

(Continued from page 6) Doctor Bulmer was once a teacher forty years ago in Belize at St Michael’s college. Two of his students at that time were Dean Barrow, now Prime Minister of Belize, and Wilfred ‘Sedi’ Elrington, currently the Minster of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. Dr. Thomas has been a Director of the Royal Institute of International Affairs since April 2001. He is an Emeritus professor of Economics at the University of London and an Honorary Research Fellow with the Among the audience, Mayor Simeon Lopez, Ambassador Bert Tucker and CEO Lawrence Sylvester University’s Institute of Latin American Studies, where he was Director from 1992 to 1998. He has worked as a consultant with the European Commission, the United States Agency for International Development, and the Inter-American Development Bank. He was awarded the Order of the British Empire from the Queen in 1998. He currently lives in South East London.) Some of our bright young minds absorbing knowledge about the Past as they prepare for the Future

timely manner with all the The regular season got members of the different underway last Thursday January SportsSports UpdateUpdate associations countrywide, since 11, 2011 at the Belmopan Civic With most of those individuals are Center with two big games Ismael “Miley” Garcia gainfully employed and must between Public Service (led by by Minister of Sports Hon. John first take care of their Hon. John Saldivar himself) and Saldivar to investigate the occupational obligations. Labour/Nemo. As it tunred out, validity of elections conducted The Minister has therefore Labour /NEMO came from by the Football Federation of granted the committee the behind to win this match with a Belize (FFB) continues to carry additional time it needs to score of 3014 to 2616. out its mandate with great thoroughly wrap up its Play continued on Tuesday, diligence. investigations. January 18 with first time action As you know, the Minister of In other news, you will by Police versus BDF. The BDF Sports had given that committee remember that in December got the better of the Police to until January 28 to complete its Hon. John Saldivar declared come up with the big win of 3055 investigations and submit its open the annual inter- to 2371. And in the other match, report to the Minister. departmental dominoes Fire/Fisheries defeated Labour/ IIIsmael “Miley” Garcia Well, we must inform you tournament. Seven teams are NEMO 3001 to 2411. A National Sports Coordinator this week that the committee has participating, namely Ministry Ministry of Sports All are invited to come out since asked the Minister for of Works, Police, BDF, Labour/ every Tuesday and Thursday to the The latest news coming out of the some additional time, as it has NEMO, Fire/Fisheries, Natural Belmopan Civic Center at 6:30 Ministry of Sports in Belmopan is that been a little difficult for them to Resources and Ministry of PM to witness more exciting the three-man committee appointed schedule all the meetings in a Public Service. games. Page 8 Capital Weekly Sunday, January 23, 2011 50 Reasons To Be Thankful For The Past Year And To Be Hopeful In The New Year

1. Belize Economy on 4.Government 9. Belize Telemedia 16.New buildings at the recovery, registering solves foreign Nationalized; company Georgetown and the strongest growth in exchange crisis in the restructured; shares Mopan Technical High, the entire Caribbean at Commercial Free already sold to a Lady of Guadeloupe, 2.4%. Projected to grow Zone in Corozal, also number of Belizeans. St. Ignatius High, at 3.7% in the New Year. saving hundreds of Independence Sixth jobs in the North. Form; new High School 10. $20 Million at Corozon Creek; new 2. Prime Minister and from Venezuela primary and secondary Government respond 5.Wooden Bridge in recovered, used to school buildings quickly to provide relief San Ignacio/Santa repair and build homes. countrywide; computer for Belizeans affected Elena to be replaced labs at several schools. by Hurricane Richard. with permanent Prime Minister makes structure; funds 11. DFC restarted, more than 3 Million already approved by providing loans to 17. Lynam re- available for CDB students and small opened (ANRI); Old immediate rebuilding, business at very low Technical College pledging that every interest (8 percent). restored; ITVET person whose home was 6.$30 Million in new extended; UB damaged or destroyed funds obtained to be expanded; Teacher- will have it repaired or spent in Belize City on 12. Farmers Training increased. rebuilt. Promise is being infrastructure, rebound from flooding kept as over 900 homes poverty alleviation disasters with have been repaired in and employment for Government’s 18. Improved the districts and over jobless persons and at assistance; Taiwan assists performance in PSE 200 in Belize City. risk youth. rice production in (Primary) and External Toledo; Belize now self- Exams (Secondary). sufficient in grains, 3. Government 7.$350 Thousand surplus exported. intervenes to safeguard Grant to small 19. Paving of the livelihood of over farmers for relief from Placencia Road 30,000 persons in Sugar Hurricane Richard, 13. Partial Scope completed. Industry. Prime Minister plus 4 Million from Agreement allows commits $10 Million loan DFC made available Belizean exports to to the Industry, brings to them. Guatemala 20. Last 9 miles of stakeholders together Southern Highway to sign a memorandum paved (Golden of understanding which 8.12 million dollars on 14. NewStream to Big Falls) to has resulted in major small buisness and agreement with complete project improvement in the countrywide poverty Mexico to export started by last UDP quality of cane alleviation projects Belizean beef and administration. delivered, thereby via the Social other products. ensuring greater Investment Fund; 62 profitability. GOB also million dollars in EU 21. Highway to be secures waiver from money for the Belize 15. Subsidy for 1st paved from the Dump financial institution to Rural Development and 2nd Form students to Jalacte in Toledo. which BSI is indebted Programme in the countrywide; thereby enabling BSI to South, and automatically awarded draw down on the loan. Accompanying to those in Stann Creek 22. Paving of Blue Sugar crop already Measures for Sugar in and Toledo; scholarships Creek, San Lazaro, San showing remarkable the North. increased at all levels. Estevan and Progresso improvement in quality. Roads. Sunday, January 23, 2011 Capital Weekly Page 9 50 Reasons To Be Thankful For The Past Year And To Be Hopeful In The New Year 4. 23.Over 100 Miles of 31.Belize City Urban 37.Marion Jones 4 Lands Sugar Roads upgraded Rejuvenation Project Stadium upgraded; Department now with EU Funds. provides hundreds of Football field in Cayo transparent and jobs; Municipal being upgraded to efficient; thousands of Infrastructure Projects in FIFA standard; funds Belizeans receive 24.New Two-Lane district towns funded by sought for World- house lots and Bridge at Middlesex World Bank. Class Basketball farmland. completed. Stadium. 45. 32.Crooked Tree gets IDB funds 25. Kendall already water system; Burrell 38. New farmers’ Tourism Infrastructure, under construction with Boom water system markets in Cayo, Solid Waste and Land a new flood-resistant upgraded, projects Belize City and Management projects. design; Mullins River underway to provide Independence; state replacement coming potable water to 9 of the art slaughter 46. soon. villages in Belize River house in Belize River Belize’s first Valley; another project Valley. ICT Centre built and provides water system established with 26. Albert and for villages along the Old funding from Taiwan. Regent Streets repaved; Northern Highway; 39. New Poly- other streets upgraded clinic in Cayo; Western 47. and paved; Regional Hospital Petroleum 33.Cotton Tree, St. refurbished and Resources now Matthews and Frank’s upgraded; new clinics unequivocally and 27. Roads and Eddy connected to and refurbished constitutionally Highways improved Belmopan Water hospitals countrywide; owned by and rehabilitated System; Government and countrywide, with new People of Belize. culverts installed at 40. Affordable many locations to 34. Water systems dialysis through 48. improve drainage. built or repaired in WORTH; Recall Hopkins, Seine Bight, Mechanism empowers Independence, Sittee voters to recall failed 28. New bridges at River Sarawee, 41. Free medical Area Representatives Mexico Creek, Maypen Placencia, and Monkey treatment in before General and Rancho Dolores in River. Venezuela. (Mission Elections. . Miracle)

35. New water 49. Public Confidence in 29. New bridges at Systems built in villages 42. NEMO made Government restored; San Antonio/Cristo in all other districts effective; Met Office Belize regains the trust Rey, Santa Familia, throughout the country. gets new Doppler of Bi-lateral and Billy White, Macal radar; Low-level Crossing, Multi-lateral partners. and Roaring River 36. Electrification of (Arizona) in Cayo. villages in Banana Belt; 43. Public PUC protects 50. Operation Transportation better Restore Belize consumers, disapproves regulated; Airports 30. Repaving of increase in electricity launched to restore extended and social values, public Bullet Tree Main rates. upgraded. Street. safety and national pride. Page 10 AtAt At Last! Last!Last! Capital Weekly Sunday, January 23, 2011 Massive Expansion and Upgrade of Airports and Airstrips Countrywide Central Farm Hill Airstrip (Orange Airstrip (Cayo), Walk). San Pedro Air- This does not in- strip (Ambergris clude the Phillip Goldson Caye), Melinda International Airport Airstrip (Stann (PGIA), which is publicly Creek), Caye owned but is leased to a Caulker Air- private company that is in strip, Punta charge of all operations of Gorda Airstrip, that airport. Ranchito Air- Considering the im- strip (Corozal), portance to the Tourism In- Placencia dustry and the safety and Airstrip, comfort of the local flying Sarteneja public, BAA believes it is (Corozal) Air- imperative that these aero- San Pedro Airstrip being upgraded with $3.1 Million Project strip, Pelican dromes be brought up to (Continued from page 5) as modernized a state as obtained from the Interna- possible. tional Development Bank Since its (IDB), consultants were appointment in 2008, this hired, and a master plan current BAA Board has and design were drafted. presided over the im- For the past 30 years provement and upgrading Recently Upgraded Pelican Beach Airstrip in Dangriga no significant improve- of the Pelican Airstrip in ments had been made to cial passengers, most of Beach Airstrip (Dangriga), Dangriga and the Ranchito Belize’s local airstrips. them tourists, fly between Big Creek Airstrip airstrip in Corozal. It is Most of them were in poor seven of BAA’s main (Independence), Privacion presently working on a condition, and they were airports as well as the Airstrip, Hector Silva Air- major upgrade of the San potentially life-threaten- Interna- strip (Cayo) and Tower Pedro Airstrip. ing. tional Airport (PGIA). The two local com- The Belize Airports mercial carriers, Maya Is- Authority is the regulatory land Air, and Tropic Air, authority for all publicly with other private opera- owned airports in Belize, tions, sustain flourishing with direct managerial air transport activities of and maintenance more than 120,000 obligations for Fifteen operations each year (15) airstrips or airports, (takeoffs and landings). namely, Belize City Estimations are that in ex- Municipal Airstrip, Basil cess of 330,000 commer- Jones Airstrip (inactive), Airplane taxiing on upgraded Pelican Beach Airstrip in Dangriga Sunday, JanuaryAtAtAt 23, 2011 Last!Last! Last! Capital Weekly Page 11 Massive Expansion and Upgrade of Airports and Airstrips Countrywide

The much-improved Airstrip in Ranchito, Corozal Belize City Municipal Airstrip (Google Earth) soon to be extended Page 12 Capital Weekly Sunday, January 23, 2011 AA VVisionision fforor NNationalational DeDevvelopmentelopment

Presentation on AID for TRADE by Hon. Wilfred Elrington in Caracas, Venezuela, at Consultations on Financial Crisis: Towards An Integrated Response, September 1-2, 2009 many of our developing coun- have not been able to deal with tries face considerable supply- these at all. side constraints which limit the The establishment of Aid for ability to participate effectively Trade has helped to crystallize in global markets. global attention on these long These constraints cover a expressed needs. Through its wide range of issues spanning programs it seeks to from deficiencies in vision and systematically assist developing leadership, inadequate countries to achieve better trade managerial and technical skills, performance, to reduce trade weak institutional framework costs, to enhance their and gaps in public- private sector competitiveness, increase their communication and exports, achieve economic coordination. In addition poor growth and contribute to poverty infrastructure, limited technology, elimination. finance, business support In practical terms AFT services, transportation, storage finances: facilities and market information (i)trade-related technical also pose tremendous difficulties assistance; to productive efforts. (ii)trade-related Any combination of these infrastructure; may lead to a fragmented and (iii)programs to develop hostile operating environment productive capacity within Hon. Wilfred “Sedi” Elrington and ultimately limit capacity of developing countries to make Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade countries and business and sure that market access other productive entities to opportunities are seized. Mr. Chairman, Excellencies, therefore begin within our na- nurture ideas, perceive In essence, AFT has both Distinguished colleagues: tional environments and simulta- opportunities and to gear up and national and regional Many thanks for this neously reach out , embrace and respond adequately. components and combines opportunity to participate in this enhance our regional efforts at Joseph Stiglitz in his Aid for immediate action with a longer important consultation on integration .We must cooperate Trade Report points out “it is term perspective in targeting the financial crisis and trade. The to inform, organize and influ- meaningless to give us vulnerabilities and creating the theme chosen - Towards an ence the continental global [developing countries] tariff- enabling environment for Integrated response is a most agenda in a spirit of mutuality free market entry if we are growth. In order to be more appropriate one. and solidarity to achieve com- unable to use it.” effective than existing aid Belize is blessed with a mon economic and social Recognizing this, the programs AFT is challenged to special history and location progress. Ministerial Declaration in create working partnerships and which places it as a bridge Our vision begins with this establishing the Doha Round of methodologies which values between two important sub reality and the acceptance of our Trade negotiations in 2001 made responsiveness and encourage regions linking the Caribbean responsibility to build our technical assistance and capacity ownership of the trade and aid and Central American peoples capacity and to make the links building a key component of the initiatives by developing .We enjoy membership in both necessary to play our role fully. development dimension of the countries . This is vital if it is move Caricom and SICA- the Central Our commitment to engage talks. us from situations “where trade American integration movement, and accompany our peoples in Aid for Trade was therefore is possible -to making trade hap- and have received great help and this transition through this initiated in 2005 within the WTO pen”. solidarity from both. recession and on to increased framework and recognized that: Aid for Trade provides a We have had a long history productivity, good social relations (i) developing countries lack framework to connect a range of of interactions with many others and cooperation and solidarity the basic infrastructure and identified development activities – and we carry a deep yearning with all peoples. capacity to take advantage of the with a coherent trade for strengthening and extending Please allow me to share market access opportunities development strategy and to our relations with other perspectives on Aid for trade its resulting from trade negotia- achieve harmonization and countries of Our America origins rationale and overview tions; complementarity of internal because we share a common of operations and how it may (ii) changes in the interna- economic policy and external heritage and future. Today we be enhanced to help us move tional trading system have sig- development processes and once again take the opportunity forward. nificant adjustment costs to devel- to express our deepest gratitude. Aid for Trade: oping countries; An integrated response to Although trade is an (Continued on page 13) (iii) existing aid programmes our present financial crisis must important engine of growth, Sunday, January 23, 2011 Capital Weekly Page 13 AA VVisionision fforor NNationalational DeDevvelopmentelopment

(Continued from page 12) priorities; donors are improving a meaningful role in stimulating since different countries will have aid for trade delivery and scaling exports and in contributing to different needs at different points strategic actions. It seeks to in- up resources.” The review shows the development objectives of in time .The costs of adjustments troduce coherence and cohe- that Aid for trade has been most Caribbean countries. They have identified earlier and the Trade fi- sion into situations which are effective in trade policy analysis- issued a call for a “clear commit- nancing needs are cases in point often fragmented and incoher- negotiation –implementation; (ii) ment” from development part- which require appropriate prior- ent and sometimes in stages of trade facilitation, (iii) competi- ners on likely flows of new aid ity treatment. disintegration with limited pro- tiveness and (iv) export diversi- allocations in support of interna- A process for engaging the ductive activity. fication. tional trade, “given the peculiari- private sector must be a core The Enhanced Integrated The Global review also warns ties of each aid-receiving coun- component of efforts Framework (EIF) is the main that maintaining the momentum try”. Development partners in mechanism through which will be difficult in this current Drawing lessons for the particular must improve the Least Developed Countries economic recession, and that the way forward: disbursement rules of AfT. Slow LDCs access additional Aid for quantity and the quality of aid, Given this changed context disbursement tends to Trade resources. It sets out to including aid for trade, are now –our countries, Aid for Trade and undermine the value of the bridge the gap between more important than ever for other development partners are assistance extended in support of demand and supply for Aid for economic growth and human now severely challenged to help time sensitive adjustment Trade and to mainstream trade welfare. ourselves and each other to exit processes. Donors should into national development Indeed, as a result of the on- the crisis and resume growth programme their trade-related plans and Poverty Reduction going recession the global trad- and development . activities for longer time spans Strategy Papers (PRSPs), since ing environment has worsened Together we have to take im- and with a more active these form the platform on dramatically since the start of mediate short term action to re- participation of recipients; this which donors base their aid AFT in 2005. From 2008 devel- move our vulnerabilities and ac- would increase the predictability planning. It also provides LDCs oping countries have begun to centuate our potentialities, to and ownership of AfT flows. with the platform for feel the full effects of the global stimulate business and in sys- Donors should consider leveraging additional funding financial and economic crises tematically laying the ground scaling up the level of aid for from their development with impacts on domestic capital work for growth and develop- trade facilitation as this appears partners by translating trade- markets and their access to in- ment and in the attainment of the to be particularly cost-effective related needs into funded and ternational capital markets. Millennium Goals which form an investment. deliverable projects. World merchandise exports important milestone in the ad- Increased allocation for To access Aid for Trade, are projected to fall 9% in 2009 vancement of our societies. Here economic infrastructure since the developing countries must the largest such decline in 60 are some recommendations for impact of aid seems to be clearly prioritize their needs. In years. Foreign direct investment consideration: especially high on return, their development fell 20% in 2008 with a further Aid for trade will be required exports.Donors should work partners need to provide trade- expected fall of 20% from its to mobilize timely resources to with recipients to identify those related assistance and capacity 2008 level in 2009 thus limiting match national and regional ef- contexts in which there is more building to meet the demand availability of finance for trade forts and to prevent countries need for aid to productive with a supply of resources and and infrastructure investment. sinking even deeper into reces- sectors.This will contribute to withhin the enlightened aid The drying up of global liquid- sion. Of crucial importance are better predictability of funding framework of AFT. ity and reassessment of risks by the speed, scale, and quality of more extensive use of budget commercial banks have led to a aid response, the streamlining of support . Aid For Trade –Review of rise in the cost of Trade Finance development partner /country A key component of this Operations and the Global with a growing unmet demand of interface and the fullest use of program must be South - South Recession. USD 300 billion .This requires ‘donor’ self assessment and Cooperation / Aid for Trade and In 2007, as was the case in urgent short term solutions and other mechanisms in accord- Triangular and other creative 2006, Aid for Trade grew by follow up public private sector ance with the Paris Declaration mechanisms. more than 10% in real terms collaborative efforts. on Aid Effectiveness and the South-South Cooperation is a and total new commitments A recent report released by Accra Declaration. vital force in world economic de- from bilateral and multilateral ECLAC, projects that the volume There is urgent need for a velopment today. The world’s donors reached $25.4 billion, of trade in the Latin America and stronger focus on capacity devel- emerging - including China, India, with an additional $27.3 billion Caribbean region will fall by 13% opment, and our countries must Brazil, Venezuela, Mexico,Cuba in non-concessional trade- in 2009. The volume of exports seek a greater role in the design ,Colombia,Chile South Africa, related financing. will decrease by 11% -a 72-year of aid for trade interventions Malaysia and Thailand - have In 2009 a Global Review low and imports by 14%, a 27- which reinforces local dialogue made a quantum leap in their in- of the operation of Aid for year low and there has been and encourages ownership vestments in the global South and Trade by the WTO and OECD trade restricting actions by some among stakeholders. in trade with developing nations. notes that “remarkable governments. Recognizing that not only are Some, long considered net recipi- progress has been achieved in At the same time, CARICOM there gains from trade, but there ents of aid, are now emerging as a short time: partner countries spokesmen have noted that the are also pains from trade AfT net donors, focusing their aid are mainstreaming trade in flows of aid in support of this should be designed appropriately their development strategies region’s global trade “fall well –with the broadest possible pack- (Continued on page 16) and clarifying their needs and below the level required to have age- and not rule out any options Page 14 Capital Weekly Sunday, January 23, 2011 Sunday, January 23, 2011 Capital Weekly Page 15 AndyAndyAndy PalacioPalacioPalacio (1960-2008)

Three Years Later, His Spirit Lives On Page 16 Capital Weekly Sunday, January 23, 2011 AA VVisionision fforor NNationalational DeDevvelopmentelopment

plore penetration ment. In our own preliminary to address and change this of Central Ameri- assessments, we know that driven by the aspirations of our can markets and the requisite resources for re- people and inspired by efforts of are members of structuring the economy in countries in regional coopera- Caribbean Single line with our EPA commit- tion and solidarity. We intend to Market and ments and obligations will re- make the most of Aid for Trade Economy (CSME). quire resources far greater and other sources of coopera- In 2008, Belize than what our government tion to take the opportunities of- along with its can provide. fered. CARICOM col- I do not need to tell you A vision of national develop- leagues and the that supply side constraints ment with trade mainstreamed Dominican Repub- and other factors have ham- into the national development lic embarked on its pered our efforts to make the strategy is the beacon which first major liberali- most of these opportunities in guides our efforts. To achieve zation arrange- the past and continue to con- this, we are nurturing leadership ment with the Eu- front us in the present time. which understands the potential of ropean Union – But I will tell you that we have trade and slowly building alliances. the Economic Part- not accepted that situation as Because there is no completed Hon. Wilfred “Sedi” Elrington, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade nership Agree- permanent. We have set out (Continued on page 19)

(Continued from page 13) efforts on southern nations. There is growing economic complementarity and capacity for developing countries to advance their development through mu- tual cooperation. South South Aid for Trade is particularly attractive because of its responsive flexible relevant technology and often times more nimble processes of interaction . South-South trade is growing at an estimated ten percent annually.It now assumes even greater importance as a component of Aid for Trade and require adequate resources be given to this modalityand to build and extend this notion of regional solidarity and to maximize the impact on Trade and development. Mr Chairman, please allow me in my remaining moments to share a few insights on our ef- forts to mobilize Aid for Trade in Belize to bring the maximum benefits for our people. At this time, Belize enjoys almost unlimited market access to some of the world’s largest markets, the European Union under the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), USA under the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI), Canada under CARIBCAN; there is also access under several other trade arrangements such as Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Co- lombia, Cuba, and Venezuela. We recently initiated a mission to ex- Sunday, January 23, 2011 Capital Weekly Page 17 HisHisHis Dream...OurDream...OurDream...Our RealityRealityReality

Martin Luther King, Jr., in 1955. In Boston he met and these days of boycott, King registration of Negroes as (January 15, 1929-April 4, married Coretta Scott, a young was arrested, his home was voters; he directed the 1968) was born Michael woman of uncommon bombed, he was subjected to peaceful march on Luther King, Jr., but later had intellectual and artistic personal abuse, but at the Washington, D.C., of 250,000 his name changed to Martin. attainments. Two sons and two same time he emerged as a people to whom he delivered His grandfather began the daughters were born into the Negro leader of the first rank. his address, “l Have a Dream”, family’s long tenure as pastors family. In 1957 he was elected he conferred with President of the Ebenezer Baptist In 1954, Martin Luther president of the Southern John F. Kennedy and Church in Atlanta, serving King became pastor of the Christian Leadership campaigned for President from 1914 to 1931; his father Dexter Avenue Baptist Church Conference, an organization Lyndon B. Johnson; he was has served from then until the in Montgomery, Alabama. formed to provide new arrested upwards of twenty present, and from 1960 until Always a strong worker for leadership for the now times and assaulted at least his death Martin Luther acted civil rights for members of his burgeoning civil rights four times; he was awarded as co-pastor. Martin Luther race, King was, by this time, a movement. The ideals for this five honorary degrees; was attended segregated public member of the executive organization he took from named Man of the Year by schools in Georgia, committee of the National Christianity; its operational Time magazine in 1963; and graduating from high school at Association for the techniques from Gandhi. In became not only the symbolic the age of fifteen; he received Advancement of Colored the eleven-year period leader of American blacks but the B. A. degree in 1948 from People, the leading between 1957 and 1968, also a world figure. Morehouse College, a organization of its kind in the King traveled over six million At the age of thirty-five, distinguished Negro nation. He was ready, then, miles and spoke over twenty- Martin Luther King, Jr., was institution of Atlanta from early in December, 1955, to five hundred times, appearing the youngest man to have which both his father and accept the leadership of the wherever there was injustice, received the Nobel Peace grandfather had graduated. first great Negro nonviolent protest, and action; and Prize. When notified of his After three years of demonstration of meanwhile he wrote five selection, he announced that he theological study at Crozer contemporary times in the books as well as numerous would turn over the prize Theological Seminary in United States, the bus boycott articles. In these years, he led money of $54,123 to the Pennsylvania where he was described by Gunnar Jahn in his a massive protest in furtherance of the civil rights elected president of a presentation speech in honor of Birmingham, Alabama, that movement. predominantly white senior the laureate. The boycott lasted caught the attention of the On the evening of April 4, class, he was awarded the B.D. 382 days. On December 21, entire world, providing what 1968, while standing on the in 1951. With a fellowship 1956, after the Supreme Court he called a coalition of balcony of his motel room in won at Crozer, he enrolled in of the United States had conscience. and inspiring his Memphis, Tennessee, where graduate studies at Boston declared unconstitutional the “Letter from a Birmingham he was to lead a protest march University, completing his laws requiring segregation on Jail”, a manifesto of the in sympathy with striking residence for the doctorate in buses, Negroes and whites rode Negro revolution; he planned garbage workers of that city, 1953 and receiving the degree the buses as equals. During the drives in Alabama for the he was assassinated. Free At Last, Thank God Almighty, We’re Free At Last! Page 18 Capital Weekly Sunday, January 23, 2011

to postpone the burden by amalgamating all the burdensome debts into one giant Super Bond. While it was former Minister of Finance Ralph Fonseca, authorized by the then Prime Minister , whose “growth economics” grew the national debt to uncontrollable levels, the man who master-minded the creation of the Super Bond was actually the former Tourism Minister, later the Minister of National Development, Mark Espat, who currently has aspirations to lead the PUP and perhaps one day become Prime Minister. And the man who is currently the PUP leader, John Briceno, was at that time Musa’s Deputy Prime Minister, and also a member of a Cabinet Committee tasked with overseeing the financial policies of the government after it became accepted For more information visit your Belmopan City within the administration that Council Offices at 36/38 Trinity Bld., Belmopan Fonseca’s “growth economic” policies had spun out of control Or call: 822-2271, 822-2319 or 802-3679 and could have led to the party’s political ruin. Superbond never spent on the people to Those were the days That cabinet committee, Strikes Again! improve their quality of life, or when the former Minister of however, proved futile as on the country’s infrastructure. Finance who calls himself a Fonseca continued to have his (Continued from page 1) And now, he says, the fact that “financial engineer” was way, and the rest is now his government must find boasting about what he called history. government’s External millions every six months to “growth economics”. But so much for the history! Debt now stands at 1.9 repay those debts means that While there might have What most preoccupies Billion; and out of that total it is being deprived of much been some unsustainable Belizeans in the present is the figure, the Super Bond needed revenues to invest in growth in economic activity, fact that we must find 33 inherited from the Said Musa the people and infrastructure what grew most of all was the Million dollars to pay in three administration is responsible of the Country. National Debt, the result mostly week’s time, and we will have for as much as 1.1 Billion (with Members of the former of excessive commercial to find many millions more a B). administration which created borrowing at high interest until we finish paying off that In other words, the Super the Super Bond contend that rates with short maturity Super Bond in 2029. By then Bond left behind by the last they borrowed to stimulate periods. the Super Bond would have administration is actually growth and develop the As it turned out, it cost us $1, 588,590,700, or to responsible for almost 60 country. wasn’t too long before that put it another way, over 1.5 percent of the entire External But that claim is evidently excessive borrowing presented Billion, with a B. Debt. not in sync with widespread a hindrance to the said PUP Tell me, how can we forget All this, the current Prime public opinion of how the administration, and in order to the past, when it is costing us Minister charges, is the result country’s finances were run create some breathing room so much in the present, and will of reckless borrowing, the under the Musa administration for themselves and their free- continue to cost us so much monies from which were from 1998 until 2008. spending policies, they decided more in the future? Sunday, January 23, 2011 Capital Weekly Page 19 AA VVisionision fforor NNationalational DeDevvelopmentelopment

citizenry.We hope to imbue them with values and skills for en- hanced productivity coopera- tion and competitive skills. We intend to place young Belizeans in challenging situa- tions and are seeking internships from our friends and develop- ment partners to accelerate ex- perience and prepare these young folk for engagement in social and economic transforma- tion of our country , region and world. To ensure broader public awareness – we are developing the B span concept, investing in pub- lic education through national tel- evision and radio for Economic national and global citizenry and emphasizing economic literacy OAS Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza and Belize’s Foreign Minister, Wilfred Elrington and the language of integration in preparation for citizenry and glo- (Continued from page 16) competitiveness and skills for inter- sustainability we are setting out bal solidarity. national development strategy we dependence and a phased approach to educate and train young pri- are simultaneously contributing to to working our way out of this di- vate entrepreneurs and We thank you! its elaboration while developing the lemma. economic,national and global trade strategy for national inclusion. The Enhanced Integrated At the same time we emphasise a Framework (EIF) is crucial in crucial link with the Millennium De- helping to bridge gaps in the op- velopment Goals (MDGs) to ensure erating context and to conduct the solid foundation upon which the multi interface that is re- competitiveness must be based. quired on a variety of levels with We recognize that if our own government , business firms/ house is not in order, it makes it private sector/ public sector,and easier for donors to dictate where regional and development part- and how the aid should be used. On ners. the other hand, if we have done our We aim to harmonize action own development introspection, and to increase absorptive ca- then we can ensure that aid com- pacities, and are placing priority plements and strengthens our plans, action on special Trade and In- and structures rather than under- vestment promotion initiatives to mining them. But this by itself is an maximize inflow of investments enormous task; nonetheless, it is in Belize, which encourage Inno- imperative that as individual coun- vation and on identifying critical tries, we know where we want to infrastructure and the links to go and there are none but ourselves the ongoing integration in Cen- to determine where that ought to tral America. We shall be estab- be. lishing a special innovation fund And so we have initiated prepa- to support innovative initiatives ration of an Aid for Trade Plan of and also seek access to Trade fi- Action for the period 2009-2012. nancing funds. This is being developed in a focal We shall intensify our con- point linked with national and in- nection with South South and ternational cooperation and sup- triangular initiatives to innovate porting efforts of trade negotiation and stimulate strategic and pro- and trade promotion, infrastructure ductive sectors such as educa- development and insupporting im- tion , agriculture and plementation of our Trade Agree- industry,processing and services ments. –transportation,energy ,climate This calls for a regrouping and change. refocusing of our efforts with co- To deepen our efforts and in- herent action to enhance overall crease the prospects for Page 20 Capital Weekly Sunday, January 23, 2011 Like Judas Re-incarnated

Paid Ashcroft Defender Paid Ashcroft Defender For a few pieces of Silver these PUP Lawyers are prepared to sell out their Country PUP for Money UDP For Patrimony A Paid Ad