INVESTING IN SECURITY

Continued from page 1 tions but millions have come from a fund that the UDP were too incompetent and non-caring to even know how to channel. The PUP had to put haste as the expiration date to use funds agreed to with the Central American Bank of Economic Integration was about to come about.

In November of 2022 the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Economic Development, and Investment, handed over vehicles to the Belize Police Department (BPD) and computer equipment to the Belize Defence Force (BDF). These items were procured via the Belize Integral Security Programme (BISP), which is a $60-million-dollar project funded by the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI). This is intended to strengthen the capacity of the Belize Police Department (BPD) and Belize Defence Force (BDF) which would enable the members or officers are able to provide increased citizens security. In March of 2022, a technical team from CABEI came to Belize to reassess the needs of the agencies that are active in the program. These are the BPD, BDF, Belize Coast Guard, and the National Forensic Science Service.

The Belize Police Department received three 2023 Toyota Hilux Trucks. These vehicles are being utilized as patrol vehicles which were part of a fleet of six vehicles valued at BZD$491.474.70. The Commissioner of Police Chester Williams received the donation on behalf of the Department. The Belize Defence Force received computers and other office equipment valued at BZD$315,328.16 Hon. Florencio Marin, Jr. Minister of National Defence and Border Security received the items on behalf of the Belize Defence Force.

These items form part of the BPD’s total allocation of BZ$18,439,674.70 and the BDF’s total allocation of BZ$13,000,000.00 under the BISP.

Now in December, the government via the Hon. John Briceño, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Economic Development, and Investment handed over 10 Troop Lifting Vehicles to the Ministry of National Defence and Border Security. The Prime Minister shared that, “it is of utmost importance that citizen security is a priority in Belize and, therefore, the protectors of all citizens must be equipped with the proper infrastructure and equipment to do their jobs.”

This forms the total allocation for the Belize Defence Force of $13,000,000 under BISP. The BDF benefited from other initiatives, including a new kitchen with state-ofthe-art industrial equipment, dining areas, cold storage, pantries, and a generator to ensure functionality in times of emergencies such as hurricanes. The kitchen can be utilized as a hurricane shelter, ensuring that the troops are safe during and able to quickly mobilize after a storm. Additionally, two dormitories will be built to provide much-needed sleeping quarters. It will include beds, washing stations, and restrooms at Price Barracks. Other locations like Fairweather Camp in Punta Gorda will benefit from a well-equipped Medical Center and Camp Belizario in Cayo District will benefit from a battalion headquarters.

Prime Minister Briceño reiterated that the works will continue to ensure citizen security at its utmost best. Moving forward with citizen security is definitely a part of planBelize.

“In the spirit of shared commitment to the protection of our blue and marine resources, I accompanied the President and CEO of WWF USA Mr. Carter Roberts and other officials of the organization on a tour of our marine protected areas.

WWF is in country to discuss with the Blue Bond/PFP Unit the implementation of the Project Financing for Permanence and our processes to identify a sustainable path and mechanism for the conservation of our blue space and rich marine resources.

Present on the tour were the Vice President of Oceans Conservation of WWF Johan Bergenas, Osmany Salas of WWF Belize, CEO in the Office of the Prime Minister and Ministry of Investment Mrs. Narda Garcia. the Head of our

Women-owned businesses benefit

City of Belmopan, February 7, 2023. The Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE) in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, and Immigration with financial support from the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) through Taiwan ICDF, has initiated a new incubator program, ICube, that will host a Mobile Incubator Center and a Start-up Incubator Center at BELTRAIDE's SBDCBelize office in Belize City.

BELTRAIDE's ICube will provide eight women-owned businesses with a space to operate their business, access the Virtual Knowledge Center (VKC) and receive business development support offered by experienced business advisors from BELTRAIDE's SBDCBelize Unit. In addition, BELTRAIDE will offer services and support to MSMEs across the country via a Mobile Incubator Center. This initiative is a part of the Government of Belize's commitment to diversify the services of MSMEs and empower enterprises. This expansion will facilitate the creation of new businesses and strengthen the skills of operating MSMEs, thereby revitalizing Belize's economy.

The launch of ICube took place on Friday, February 10, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. at BELTRAIDE's SBDCBelize office at 831 Coney Dr, Belize City. Mrs. Narda Garcia, CEO, Office of Prime Minister; Ambassador Amalia Mai, CEO, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and H.E. David Kuan- Chou Chien, Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to Belize, will be present at the ceremony.

BELTRAIDE takes this opportunity to congratulate the women who have been selected to be part of the Incubator Program and reminds all Belizeans about the importance of supporting our local MSMEs.

Blue Bond/PFP Unit Ms. Beverly Wade as well as officials from local entities such as Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association (TASA) and fishers and management of tourism resorts in the Turneffe Atoll area. Hon. Andre Perez Minister for Blue Economy and Civil Aviation also attended a wrap up session with the visiting team and local officials.” – PM John Briceño via FB Page #conservation #marinelife #WWF #planBelize

The biodiversity in Belize is really world class and astounding. One of the facts that the airlift highlighted were the atolls and the greenery that Belize still possess. Our living Barrier reef is peerless in the world and we have 3 of the 4 atolls that can be found in this hemisphere. The Blue Hole is world renowned. This this the beauty that the Blue Bond seeks to protect.