2 weeks ago, we showed you what Prime Minister John Briceno had to say about the stern letter from the Belize Agro-Productive Sector to the government about waning investor confidence.
Dr. Henry Canton, the President of the BAS Group - who is also a former PUP Minister of Government - has pointed out that the member group of companies take issue with the Government's handling of crises in the productive sector. They do not think that enough was done to protect investors from illegal strikes and criminal destruction of pricey produce. Also, they have pointed out that some laws governing the agricultural sub-sectors are "antiquated" and in need of modernization. Also, they have pointed out that some laws governing the agricultural sub-sectors are "antiquated" and in need of modernization. These companies collectively manage over a BILLION Belize Dollars of foreign investment earnings.
It took PM Briceno 3 weeks to formally respond, but he has sent a letter back to the BAS Group which has a scolding tone.
Yesterday, he wrote back to Dr. Canton saying, quote, "It is regrettable that this letter, seemingly promulgated by a sub-group of your membership, comes on the heels of a recent meeting held with relevant Ministers of government and the executive board of the… (BAS) held on January 14, 2022...
The PM asserts that Dr. Canton's better has, quote, "glaring and troubling misrepresentations and falsehoods" End quote.
He says that after reviewing the BAS letter, his government reached out directly to representatives of the Banana Growers' Association, which represents the banana industry. According to Briceno, these BGA reps have made it clear that they have "no interest whatsoever" in the amendment of the Banana Industry Act.
He then concludes, quote, "Your sub-group therefore clearly does not represent the industries nor the stakeholders you purport to represent". End quote.
The Prime Minister then discusses the concerns about the Rule of law and property rights concerning recent events involving some of the BAS Group's members. That's the complaint that the government didn't do much to protect investors from activities like the strikes and protests in the different industries.
On that score, the Prime Minister says quote, "...While fully supportive of an enabling business environment conducive to economic opportunity, the Government of Belize is responsible to all stakeholders and the protection of everyone's constitutional rights and freedoms." End quote.
On the issue of antiquated laws, he says that his government did not pass the ones that they complain about. He suggests that these laws were already in place for decades, and it provided the legal backdrop when BAS members "chose to invest in Belize".
On the complaints of uneven application of tax laws and tax incentives, the PM says, quote, "...These are two issues that have been extensively discussed with the agro-productive sector at various meetings and forums. My government has taken note and, in several cases, has started work on these tax issues…" End quote.
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