1 UDP MANIFESTO 2015 - 2020 When you turned to the United Democratic bond was restructured, saving the country Party in 2008 and gave us your confidence, $500m; public finances are robust; reserves it was for us to fix all that had gone so are at historic highs; public officers are better horribly wrong in the 1998 to 2008 decade paid than ever; the BOOST and Food Pantry of misrule. programs are renowned poverty-fighting models for this entire region; tuition and Our country was burdened by the super bond; scholarship grants have expanded educational strait-jacketed by fiscal austerity; unable to opportunities for thousands of families; the operate a bankrupt DFC and a near insolvent economy has added more than 4500 jobs social security; suffering from surging levels each year since 2007; the DFC is strong again; of poverty and neglect; dilapidated roads social security is safe and looking to increase and bridges; and shunned by international benefits; and the new National Bank of Belize concessionary lenders disgusted with the has delivered thousands of small and midsize last Administration’s thievery of public loans to the poor and the middle class. monies. The UDP’s overwhelming priority was thus to replenish the state’s coffers; Besides all this, investments in healthcare, Dean O. Barrow restore local and international confidence; education and citizen security have reversed Party Leader rescue citizens desperately in need of the PUP decline, and affordable development United Democratic Party relief; and bring back integrity to the Office financing is once again flowing freely from of the Prime Minister whose outgoing PUP Belize’s IFI sponsors. occupant had, in 2005, been presented with a certificate of corruption by Union and Civil Most dramatically, of course, hundreds of Society leaders. millions in low cost funds are being invested in national infrastructure and community And so for almost 8 years now, my team development. And this has resulted in an and I have striven to clean up the mess we unprecedented proliferation of new highways, inherited, while simultaneously transforming bridges, roads, streets, drains and sporting the lives of the Belizean people. facilities in our cities, towns and villages. And our record is such that even our fiercest critics must concede the tremendous In recent weeks, in what can be viewed as the advances we have recorded: the super latest chapter in national resurgence, we have 2 settled claims for both the BEL and BTL acquisitions. In order to establish this improved, effective These vital public utilities are now and forevermore governance as the basis for a new level of prosperity, part of the national patrimony and benefits redound we will carefully construct the foundations thereof. to Belizeans by way of the lowest light and telecom The pillars of these foundations are described in this rates ever. manifesto, and you will see that they are all designed from the experience and knowledge that we have Having secured this period of restoration, I believe gained over the past eight years. the time has come to ask you for a fresh mandate. The cleanup having been completed, the UDP must Foremost among these pillars are the following: focus now exclusively on the positive, on forwarding • The strengthening of our legal system through opportunity and change. A New Belize must burst legal review and reform, as well as upgrading of forth, where progress, prosperity and stability can the administration and enforcement of our laws. reign untrammeled. • A continuing public works program that will drive job creation and economic growth. This New Belize is to be one where learning and job • An expansion in education opportunities to opportunities vitalize the abundant skills of our young ensure full and equal countrywide access. people; where families feel safe in their neighborhoods • Maintenance and preservation of citizen safety, and homes; where rural dwellers have ready access security and territorial integrity. to classrooms, clinics and industry; where our • Increased focus and spending on quality entrepreneurs and employers pay fewer, fairer taxes improvement and efficiencies within both and where the innovations of governance serve all our our healthcare system and our overall social citizens and the national interest. protection net. • The chartering of a comprehensive national Top on our agenda will be to concentrate on structural housing campaign. changes in every facet of government to ensure • An aggressive approach to sustainable excellence in service delivery. This will channel our exploitation and development practices that will country into an age of efficiency and results, and set the guarantee the fundamental sanctity of our rich stage for the next generation. Overall our continued natural resources. work and vision will encompass every facet of society, and positively impact the lives of all Belizeans from THE BEST IS YET TO COME, cradle to grave. The new action plan will modernize both tools and tactics. And the full press deployment AND MAY GOD CONTINUE of innovation and technology will completely transform TO BLESS BELIZE. Government’s interface with the public. Thus, the experience of all citizens interacting with Government, whether at the personal or business level, will be reworked for ease of communication, opening up of opportunity and achievement of objectives. 3 UDP MANIFESTO 2015 - 2020 3.5 a strong economy by design 2.5 1.5 0.5 In the past eight years, Belize has seen an unprecedented level of -0.5 2000 - 2004 2005 - 2009 2010 - 2014 economic stimulation through targeted capital investment by government AVERAGE INFLATION RATE in infrastructure, health, education, safety and security, and in programs to stimulate job creation. This investment has paid off handsomely as resources were injected into the most needed areas to reduce poverty while stimulating economic growth. Over the last eight years, we have seen steady growth in our economy, a flattening of inflation to almost zero, a massive increase in our foreign reserves, a strong increase in foreign direct investment, a strong and stable financial sector, a dramatic reduction in interest rates, and a significant recovery in private sector credit growth. In a new term in office, the economic stimulation will continue unabated. INFLATION In the pipeline already, there is over $600 Million in capital spending in all the priority areas, but most importantly in areas that will result in Trade and Repair additional economic growth, and improvement in the quality of life for Electricity, Gas and Water Supply Belizeans. Transport, Storage and Communications Equity Investment The next term will see increased investments in roads, bridges and Financial Intermediation Mining and Quarrying drainage systems throughout the country. The funding of a transportation Agriculture, Hunting, Forestry and Fishing master plan to include ports and airports will set the stage for a major Construction improvement in connectivity for the efficient and comfortable movement of Hotels and Restaurants Real Estate Activities people and goods. We will see investments in health systems, rural water 100 200 300 400 500 600 and electrification, and a massive investment in education and housing, Millions while the productive sector can expect strategic investments to support FDI Inflows 2008 - 2014 growth in agriculture, tourism and services. Likewise, investments in citizens’ security will go hand in hand with social programs aimed at alleviating poverty. These activities have, and will continue to bring great benefits to our workforce. The UDP government, in agreement with the unions, has programmed increases for public officers and teachers for three years, as well as increases for medical professionals at KHMH. Rising incomes and reduced inflation promises a bright future and a better standard of living for Belizean workers. FOREIGN RESERVES In order to ensure good financial management, the next UDP Government is committed to the reform of the Public Financial Management System through the implementation of rules-based legislation designed to strengthen the basic principles of governance, accountability and transparency in public financial administration. As a first step towards strengthening the administration and collection of revenue, GOB is introducing administrative changes with the long-term view of fully integrating the existing Income Tax Department and the Department of General Sales Tax. The objective, among other things, is 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 to establish a single point of contact common to both departments with Weighted Average Lending Commercial Loans Residential Construction the same requirements for the registration of all taxpayers. BORROWING RATES 4 GOB’s Action Plan to reform the Public Financial in a most cost-effective way by observing principles of Management System includes the enactment of important good governance. bills that have already been drafted. The Public Finance Management Bill will ensure The Public Procurement Bill will promote basic responsible, sustainable, transparent, accountable, principles that preside over how Government performs effective, efficient and economical management of the procurement of goods, works and services while the public finances and public resources covering the providing guidance to public officials responsible for revenues, expenditures, assets and liabilities. the acquisition and disposal of assets. This bill will facilitate the standardization of procurement