Almost a year ago right after the newly elected Mayor of Chetumal, Carlos Mario Villanueva, took office, Belize City Mayor, Zenaida Moya and a delegation travelled to the northern border city to meet with him.
The trip was to renew old acquaintances and re-establish a sister city relationship that was once enjoyed by both coastal cities decades ago.
Today, as part of the ongoing bilateral efforts to explore mutual areas of interest - especially in the areas of tourism and economic development - a group of 15 Chetumal city councilors met with their Belize City counterparts this morning at the Radisson Hotel. Jim McFadzean was there and has this report.
Jim McFadzean Reporting
It's safe to say that the sister relationship with Chetumal is one of the city's most important. Belize City residents already benefit from many cultural and educational exchanges.
Miriam Osnaya Sanchez - First Councilor, Othon P. Blanco
"Given the diverse cultures that we both represent, we have much to offer in cultural and educational exchanges. We also can share in the areas of our economic successes, and also as sister city, we can support each other by giving each other a lending hand in those areas where we can."
What it doesn't benefit from is the one sided economic trade that favors our northern neighbor.
While thousands of city residents go on shopping sprees to Chetumal on a weekly basis, the Mexicans limit their spending power to the Corozal Free Trade Zone.
And so today's meeting with councilors from the Chetumal municipality created a unique opportunity to discuss this and other important issues of common interest.
Zenaida Moya - Mayor, Belize City
"Well, there are many different issues that have to do with this cross-border affair. But we feel that we have a lot more to gain by having more tourists coming to our city. It's not easy. People might say it is because people just come into Belize. It's not easy, and one of the issues that we asked the Minister of Immigration, the Minister of Tourism and the Minister of Foreign Affairs to look at is that we wanted these individual to be able to have these boarder passes to come over. As it is right now, it's not really the way it should be."
One area where the next elected municipal government might benefit is in the area of proper urban planning and beautification, the Mexicans seem to have mastered it!
Miriam Osnaya Sanchez
"Othon Blanco, like all other cities in our country, offers great public service to its residents. One area where this is evident is in our streets and urban development. What's significant in our development strategy is particularly in the area of planning. We have established in our Administrative and Organizational structure, a department that focuses specifically on the area of urban planning and development. Planning - it's a fundamental principle. After the areas for infrastructural development have been identified by the council, the Federal government is approached annually for the necessary funds so that the work can be done."
Jim McFadzean
"Have you all explored any possibility of the City of Chetumal offering Belize City some kind of technical assistance as it relates to developing our infrastructure - for example - the traffic lights?"
Zenaida Moya
"Yes, this was a discussion. As a matter of fact, they already have different individuals who can assist. It all has to do with our technical persons being able to work out whatever assistance, support and expertise that can be garnered from them, hence the reason why their councilor for traffic is here. Our traffic manager is here as well to discuss this particular issue. We see that Chetumal has experienced great development over the past few years. A lot people say that a lot of Belizeans have contributed to that."
Due to a pressing engagement in Mexico City, Mayor Villanueva was unable to attend today's meeting.
The city of Chetumal also enjoys a sister city relationship with the municipality of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye.
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