SUCCESSFUL CONSULTATION EASES CONCERNS ON THE NPO BILL

On March 10, 2023, In order paper No. HR151/1/13 - Report from the Finance and Economic Development Committee on the Money Laundering andTerrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Bill, 2023. This is for Bill for an Act to amend the Money Laundering and Terrorism (Prevention) Act, Chapter 104 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2020; to satisfy the requirements of the Financial Action Task Force Recommendations with respect to laws regarding national anti-money laundering, combatting the financing of terrorism and combatting proliferation financing.

The Belize Network of NGOs is currently in consultation with the government of Belize and other stakeholders. This act would affect those who actively seek to run or participate in a non-profit organization within Belize. The ACT would be a separate legislation as no amends would be made to the NGO Act as it is now.

This ACT would provide for the regulation of Non-Profit Organisations; to protect Non-Profit Organisations from terrorist financing abuse; to satisfy the requirements of the Financial Action Task Force Recommendations with respect to laws regarding combating the financing of terrorism; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

Hon. Henry Charles Usher, Minister of the Public Service, Constitutional and Political Reform stated, “The issue is that this is a package of bills that have to be introduced and have to be passed, in order for the next run of certification that is happening for Belize, I believe that’s going to be in December of this year. And there are different legislations that are required to be passed. This is just one of them. It’s not anything, too difficult. And I’m sure that, with some discussions that the parts of the will can be explained.”

There was a meeting held by the Social Partners Advisory Committee to discuss the NPO Bill. It was a very cordial and instructive meeting. Acting Director of FIU Mrs. Leni Ysaguirre McGann gave an overview of the Financial Action Task Force 3rd round review which happened in 2011 and the recommendations and follow-ups that were needed. As usual, the Barrow Administration ignored and now as the 4th round review is this year a slew of legislation is needed to be compliant. Unlike the 3rd round which focused on Technical Compliance this 4th round will also look at Effective Implementation. So just having the law on the books is not enough. Belize must show it is implementing the law. Following the overview, the discussion was on specific areas that the NGO community in particular had concerns. Recommendations for amendments were made and a new draft should be circulated shortly before the next Senate Meeting.

Minister Usher was also quoted previously as stating, “This is something that the FIU and different organizations have been approaching, the NGOs and the non-profit organizations on. The bill was prepared by the Attorney General’s Ministry. They will have an opportunity when it goes to the house committee and they will also have an opportunity in the Senate. They have a representation in the Senate.” society and also that of the merchant class. President Ou, whilst holding some reservations on the ticketing system, stating what he considered grey areas, where reasonable price point price for an item ends and where price gouging begins. A similar sentiment of Lennox Nicolson who said that "what we need to do as enforcement agency is to be able to to distinguish where imported inflation ends and gouging starts." trative records to rely upon for proof. He said Belizean don't want to hear about the lack of public officers in addressing the issue. The public simply wants GOB to get the job done. that corporations have taken advantage of the supply chain problems and the desperation of consumers to jack-up prices far more than required to cover their own costs, and their record profits this inflation far worse."

The People’s United Party Government led by Prime Minister John Briceño has heard and listened to the cries of the masses regarding the steep rise in cost of living. The Government has been making some policy changes to combat inflation/cost of living/price gouging. A ticketing system with penalties was legislated for as one of the measures on price gouging and the effects on the consumer.

On Friday March 31, 2023, the Belize Chinese Association, led by Johnston Ou, President met in a closed-door meeting with ministers of government at Charter House, the Office of the Prime Minister to engage on the matter of price gouging. The discussions were fruitful and productive in the addressing of the concerns raised by the Belizean

Members of the Supplies Control Unit produced several bags of groceries from different stores to punctuate the reasons that make price gouging an issue. The findings of the inspection were explained to contextualize where the price gouging exists. Nicholson further explained the need to map through the entire distribution chain and to identify exactly where the problem exists. Nicholson said there is enough adminis-

This is exactly what the PUP Government led by John Briceño is seeking to do - GET THE JOB DONE! As a responsible Leader and a man with a conscience and with a heart beating with social justice, Briceño continues to attend to the needs of his people. Interestingly, the PM continues seek solutions to the problems facing the nation and inflation, cost of living and price gouging is just another one. With PlanBelize as the Northstar, the PUP Government and Prime Minister Honorable John Briceño trods on to the halcyon days of yesteryear under the great Peoples United Party. Adelante!

By Hilly Bennett

Belize Water Services Limited Belize

GRT/CF-19538-BL & GRT/MA-19539-BL

Advancing Water Disinfection in Urban & Rural Areas

International Competitive Bidding (ICB) BWSL/BIF-27-2205

1. The Government of Belize has received financing from the Inter-American Development Bank toward the cost of the project “Advancing Water Disinfection in Urban & Rural Areas GRT/CF19538-BL and GRT/MA-19539-BL”, and intends to apply the proceeds of this financingto payments under the Contract for the “supply, installation and commissioning of OSG Disinfection Equipment”.

2. Belize Water Services Limited now invites sealed bids from eligible and qualified bidders for the: a) Supply, install & commission of OSG Disinfection

Equipment for Caye Caulker Village- Lot A b) Supply, install & commission of OSG Disinfection Equipment for San Marcos Village- Lot B c) Supply, install & commission of OSG Disinfection Equipment& Filtration System for Crooked Tree Village - Lot C.

3. Bidding will be conducted through the International Competitive Bidding (ICB) procedures specified in the Inter-American Development Bank’s Policies for the Procurement of Goods and Works financed by the Inter-American Development Bank, and is open to all bidders from Eligible Source Countries as defined in the Policies.

4. Interested eligible bidders may obtain an e-copy of bidding document by making a request to the below:

Ervin Flores, Resident Consultant Engineer Belize Water Services Ltd.

7 Central American Blvd. Belize City, Belize.

Email: rce@bwsl.com.bz

5. Bids must be delivered to the address below at or before 2:00 pm, 18th May, 2023. Electronic bidding shall not be permitted. Late bids will be rejected. Bids will be opened physically in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend in person at the address below at 2:15 pm on18th May, 2023.

6. All bids to be accompanied by a Bid Security, as specified in the bidding document and must be delivered to the address below by 2:00 pm local time on 18th May, 2023

7. The address referred to above is:

Attention:

Ervin Flores, Resident Consultant Engineer

Belize Water Services Limited

7 Central American Blvd. Belize City

Belize

GOVERNMENT OF BELIZE

BELIZE

CONSULTANCY SERVICES FOR

REQUEST FOR

The Government of Belize (GOB) has received financing from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) towards implementing the Belize Social Investment Fund Loan III and the Basic Needs Trust Fund Tenth Programme and intends to apply a portion of the proceeds of this financing to eligible payments under a contract for which this invitation is issued. Payments by CDB will be made only at the request of GOB and upon approval by CDB, and will be subject in all respects to the terms and conditions of the Financing Agreement. The Financing Agreement prohibits withdrawal from the financing account for the purpose of any payment to persons or entities, or for any import of goods, if such payment or import, to the knowledge of CDB, is prohibited by a decision of the United Nations Security Council taken under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations. No party other than GOB shall derive any rights from the Financing Agreement or have any claim to the proceeds of the Financing.

The Belize Social Investment Fund (BSIF) the Executing Agency, now wishes to procure consultancy services for Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist.

The objective of the consultancy is to provide Monitoring and Evaluation Services to BSIF. The Consultant will be responsible for the development (including collection of baseline data), management, and implementation of a quality M&E system for the Programmes, Projects and the sub-projects that are implemented by BSIF. The duration of the assignment is expected to be a period of two (2) years, extendable by mutual agreement in accordance with prevailing Belize legislation as well as results of his/her performance appraisal.

Further details can be found in the Terms of Reference, which can be obtained from Address 1 below.

BSIFnow invites interested eligible individual consultants to submit Expressions of Interest indicating qualifications and experience required to provide these consultancy services.

Consultants shall be eligible to participate if:

(a) the persons are citizens or bona fide residents of an eligible country; and

(b) in all cases, the consultant has no arrangement and undertakes not to make any arrangements, whereby any substantial part of the net profits or other tangible benefits of the contract will accrue or be paid to a person not a citizen or bona fide resident of an eligible country.

Eligible countries are member countries of CDB. Consultants are advised to review the detailed eligibility criteria detailed in Section 4 and conflict of interest provisions in Section 5 of the Procurement Procedures for Projects Financed by CDB (January, 2021), as published on CDB’s website.

In the assessment of submissions, consideration will be given to qualifications, experience on similar assignments and interview questions.

All information must be submitted in English. Further information may be obtained from the first address below between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (Belize Time)hours Monday to Friday.

The Expressions of Interest must be received electronically at the first address (BSIF) and second (CDB) below no later than Tuesday 2nd May 2023 at 10:00 a.m. (Belize Time). The subject line of the email containing each submission shall be clearly marked “Expression of Interest – Consultancy Services for Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist for BSIF”.

Following the assessment of submissions, the most technically capable and appropriately experienced applicant will be invited to negotiate a contract to provide the consultancy services. GOBZ reserves the right to accept or reject late applications or to cancel the present invitation partially or in its entirety. It will not be bound to assign any reason for not engaging the services of any applicant and will not defray any costs incurred by any applicant in the preparation and submission of Expressions of Interest.

Addresses:

2.Procurement Officer Caribbean Development Bank

P.O. Box 408 Wildey

St. Michael BARBADOS, W.I.

Tel. (246) 539-1600

Email: procurement@caribank.org cc: angeles.itzab@sifbelize.org cc: omar.bispat@caribank.org