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The Stake Bank Project which was thought to be a sure thing towards the ending of last year is now on an indefinite hold. Even after a bill was passed in the House of Representatives, not even an act of parliament could produce common ground between Government and Developer Mike Feinstein. The Prime Minister said that Feinstein was requesting the impossible - a 25 year exclusivity contract for the Belize District. The Prime Minister said that Feinstein's request contradicted the judge's ruling in a lawsuit that he initiated against the Fort Street Tourism Village. But now there are reports that NCL's Harvest Caye Project down south has received an exclusivity contract. So, how does that work? We asked the Minister of Tourism about it today.

Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr. - Minister of Tourism

"You know there was a challenge by Mr. Feinstein and the court had decided that there cannot be any exclusivity for that but when they speak about an exclusivity it means to say that if you give someone; when in that 25 years it cannot be altered or renewed and in the case of that one with FSTV, I believe that they had given an exclusivity then renewed and altered and so that is what is. But in the case of NCL that was given before this ruling came to court and I can assure you that once that 25 years expires; I would probably not be around but it shouldn't be renewed again. That is what we call exclusivity, a onetime thing and that's it."

Duane Moody - Channel 5 News

"So they have received an exclusive contract down south."

Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr. - Minister of Tourism

"As far as I'm concerned I believe that was the case."