And another topic Briceno spent quite a bit of his prepared remarks on is the country’s economy and the rising cost of living.
Of course, Briceño had only words of condemnation for the Barrow Government about the sluggish growth in the economy, and the soaring price of fuel. He acknowledged that world fuel prices are high, but from his perspective, the Government’s portion of it for tax purposes is abusive, and needs to be decreased.
Here are his comments on those issues:
Hon. John Briceno - Leader of the Opposition
"We keep waiting to hear that our economy is growing yet the reports coming out of the statistical institute of Belize continues to be the same - little or no growth. SIB reports confirm a reduction in revenue from exports an increase in imports. Our trade deficit continues to grow at the same time the cost of fuel, butane, and electricity continues to rise. The cost of basic goods continue to rise due to the increase in the cost of fuel. With each new shipment comes another increase and the prime minister keeps collecting - or should I say he keeps sucking more and more from our pockets in taxes on fuel. Since the beginning of the year premium gasoline has gone up by 60 cents, regular gasoline up by 95 cents and diesel by 1 dollar and 13 cents. On diesel alone, which is a vital importance to the productive sector government is collecting 4 dollars and 32 cents of the 10 dollars and 63 cents per gallon. That amounts to more than 40 percent of the cost of fuel going to government by way of taxes or 40 cents out of every dollar we spend at the pump is going straight to government for taxes. Government can and should immediately reduce the tax on all fuel. How can our productive sector grow when an important cost of production; fuel, continues to rise?”
Briceño says that he intends to focus more closely on the topic of crime in his next press conference.
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