ANTI-INFLATION AND FOOD SECURITY SUMMIT

5th April 2023

Fellow Heads, I wish to thank our friend, the President of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, for extending this invitation to Belize to be a part of this important initiative. Belize believes this Anti-Inflation Summit to be commendable and an extremely necessary initiative. It provides an opportunity to engage and work constructively on the many trade and industry development issues that require our collective and dedicated attention and action. We, like others in our region, have been dealt a stark reminder that the diversification of our productive base and trading partners is key to building true economic resilience.

My government has worked diligently to lead a historic rebound in Belize from near economic and social collapse brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the conflict in Ukraine, and the climate crisis. But our people have been unable to feel sustained economic relief as their spending power continues to be eroded by this generational cost of living crisis.

The present cost-of-living crisis is arguably the greatest challenge facing our region today, one that can only be overcome when like-minded and progressive leaders work together. Therefore, we welcome this opportunity. At the same time, we call for an extension of the May 16th Presidential Decree, which will complement the New Anti-Inflation Initiatives.

In building our productive capacity, it is our goal to advance several key sustainable development goals like reducing poverty, promoting decent work for economic growth, and modernizing industry and infrastructure. It is not lost on us that there will be significant work to do among this eleven-nation alliance. Our countries vary significantly in size and productive capacity and maintain various longstanding trade and economic integration relationships that will have to be accounted for when engineering our new reality.

As we seek to deepen ties, Belize renews its commitment to our shared goals of promoting the development and integration of our region. We have an opportunity to reduce barriers to trade for an agreed basket of basic goods for our people. This by strengthening our economic cooperation mechanisms that enhance trade facilitation and increase regional agricultural productivity to attain strategic autonomy in the selected food and services sectors. A collective and broad development strategy will ultimately promote regional specialization, economies of scale and mutual economic interdependence of the group of countries participating in the alliance.

The proposal by Mexico for participants of this Summit to agree on a facilitation mechanism to combat inflationary forces and grow intra-regional trade should be embraced by all. Belize recommends renewed focus on an industrial policy framework that gives meaningful support and incentives to enable investments targeting value-addition and access to established value chains or those to be created.

Investments should be prioritized in science and technology to support the growth and resilience of the agricultural sector, thereby improving the production of food, and insulating the region’s economies from the adverse impacts of global crises including pandemics. Clearly, there is an urgent need to increase the availability of financing accessible by the private sector.

Belize will continue to benefit greatly from Mexico’s generosity and leadership under the Sembrando Vida project. This project can drive improvements in sustainable agricultural processes and practices, leading to increased productivity, penetration of export markets and financial inclusion. Sembrando Vida captures the spirit of the type of trade and economic cooperation that should define our ambition.

Excellencies, we have shared interest in leading a region where our economies become more resilient and adaptable. Let us be decisive in our actions but considerate in our deliberations as we seek ways to enhance our relations.

I thank you.

EASTER: BELIZE IS BACK

Last weekend was the yearly four-and-a-half-days of what is known as the Holy Weekend. A Fourday Easter weekend is the coveted relaxation time when most Belize would plan a family getaway. The weekend kicked off with a revival of the spirit hosted by the Belize City Council ‘2-Day Holy Week Revival Concert’. This drew thousands of Belizeans from all parts of the country. The converged on DigiPark. Our local talent and the headliner SINACH performed her signature song ‘Way Maker’ and others. A FaceBook post states, “Thank you to the amazingly talented and diverse Belizean praise teams and churches as well as Sinach and her team for supporting this history-making initiative. It has been a truly transformative two nights at our 2-Day Holy Week Revival Concert. Let’s do this again!”

On Holy Saturday cycling tradition proved to be alive and well. The country was glued to their radio, T.V., social media, and the roadside to catch the 93rd Annual Cross Country where the garland came back because of the Belizean-born Oscar Quiroz shining moment for the jewel as 28-year-old Oscar Quiroz brought the garland home and claimed the 93rd Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic Championship title. Also proudly wearing the Belize flag on an international stage was 14-year-old Demetrie Meyers as he spectacularly dominated the 50th CARIFTA Games in the Bahamas, winning two gold medals in the U-17 Boys 1500m and U-17 Men 3000m Finals. I believe all Belizeans would like to wish both athletes continued success in their future endeavors.

On Sunday, the Belize Tourism Board held its annual Sarteneja Easter Regatta held in Sarteneja, Corozal. This event celebrated the community’s boating tradition, with the highlight of the festivities being a 20ft, 22ft, and 24ft keel sailboat race. The community hosted visitors from near and far, who came to enjoy the beach party, food, live music, and various competitions. Staying in the North, there was an Easter Egg Hunt organized in collaboration with the Orange Walk Town Council, Hon. John Briceño, Child Advisory Body, Belize Youth Movement, and the Central Executive; this was a tremendous success! Children from all over town and some from the villages had a lot of fun with the games and the egg hunt. Heading West to twin towns Santa Elena and San Ignacio as volunteers joined forces to create the Sawdust Tapestries. Sawdust tapestries were done on Far West St, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and Santa Elena as you cross Hawkesworth Bridge. Volunteers started as early as 5 a.m. in the morning to prepare for the evening’s procession.

The Easter weekend ends at the Castleton Racetrack for horse racing in Belize on Easter Monday as thousands of Belizeans headed back home from the booked-out weekend at hotels and resorts all over. Generally, the weekend was incident free and we thank the good Lord for this. We would like to express our sincere condolences to the family and extended family of the Belize Police Department on the passing of ASP Fitzroy Yearwood, who was the Communications Director for the BPD. A grateful nation thanks you for your service.

Belize is Back! Christmas and Easter are economic indicators and these two have proved what every other indicator is showing…jobs are back, unemployment is down, the economy is booming and hope is up. Hope is transforming dreams to reality. Belize is back and moving beyond that. Everyone is beginning to win as Belize starts to work for everyone.

Belize High School

RELEASE DATE: April 13th 20 23

Press Release

Belize High School (STEAMBel #9244) National Robotics Team to compete in CHARGED UP FIRST® ENERGIZE presented by Qualcomm HAAS in Oklahoma, USA.

About FIRST®

FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) was founded by inventor Dean Kamen to inspire young people's interest in science and technology. As a robotics community that prepares young people for the future, FIRST is the world 's leading youth-serving nonprofit advancing STEM education. For 30 years, FIRST has combined the rigor of STEM learning w ith the fun and excitement of traditional sports and the inspiration that comes from community through p rograms that have a proven impact on learning, interest, and skill-building inside and outside of the classroom FIRST provides programs that span a variety of age groups:

FIRST® Robotics Competition for grades 9-12, ages 14-18

Buzzing with that Beautiful Belizean Brainpower, 15 incredible innovators are representing the jewel are students Jaden Chen (captain), Justin Zhou, Corbin Pacheco, Uday Tilwani, Ray Wu, Sebastian Garcia, Karii Domingo, Victoria Quan, Alexander Usher, Givanya Tesucum, Faculty Mentors Godfrey Sosa, Luis Silva, Jamie Usher, and Parent Chaperones Mrs. Melissa Shagoury Garcia, and Gustavo Garcia.

Green Country Regional 2023

April 5 to April 8, 2023 http://www.first-oklahoma.com

Gracious Professionalism® is part of the ethos of FIRST. It's a way of doing things that encourages high quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community Gracious Professionalism is not clearly defined for a reason. It can and should mean different things to everyone.

Some possible meanings of Gracious Professionalism include: gracious attitudes and behaviors are w in-w in, gracious folks respect others and let that respect show in their actions, professionals possess special know ledge and are trusted by society to use that know ledge responsibly, and gracious professionals make a valued contribution in a manne r pleasing to others and to themselves.