7 News Belize

Creative Trade, The Economic Solution
posted (June 22, 2016)

Much has been said about the IMF report that was released three weeks ago, and while the prognosis of the report is daunting, Government officials aren’t quite playing Chicken Little just yet. Today we the director of trade about the coming economic slowdown.  He told us that creativity will ultimately get us over this hurdle. He explains.

Dr. Leroy Almendarez - Director General, Foreign Trade
"We have to become more creative, we have to alleviate fears, we have to become more entrepreneurial, we must become more innovative. It's going to take a lot more out of us but it will also require that we work in a harmonized manner, what people refer to as symbiotic matter where we work together because you will need access to financing, it would mean that the banking who ever can provide financial resources for investment. So investment is a big part of it so we not only want to domestic investment but we want to attract foreign investment as well and those are some of the things that can truly help the landscape. But it is true there are challenges that are being faced but we must still understand that since 2008 Belize has been able to withstand the shocks of 2008 which really was the financial crisis that exists but moving forward it requires greater efficiency, if it requires greater efficiency."



Symbiosis In Agriculture

The IMF report pointed to several underperforming areas of the economy, Agriculture being one of them. The disease stricken industry suffered some heavy economic blows last year. The Director of Trade says the solution is a symbiosis among all stakeholders.

Dr. Leroy Almendarez - Director General, Foreign Trade
"In terms of Agriculture all the products, most of the products are agriculture based and so therefore there has to be the need to work together. Agriculture, Trade, all the different public and private sector partners because again the Ministry of Agriculture does not trade but the Ministry of Agriculture provided the enabling environment, working with producers, working along with the Ministry of Trade and ensuring that markets are secured, market access exists. It means that you have access globally the question is we must increase our locally domestically produce, increasing our exports and that is what is going to create some of the balances, balance to shift."



Watch-out For Daniel

Manatee conservationists need your help in reintroducing Daniel into the wild. Daniel the manatee was released from a Mexican Rehabilitation Center and is right now in the Bacalar Chico area reorienting himself to the wide open space. So what does that have to do with you? Well …everything, yesterday, Manatee conservationist Jamal Galvez sent an email alerting the public especially those living on San Pedro and other Cayes to warn them that Daniel might be coming their way and that they should not approach him. 

The email explains that Daniel spent the majority of his life in rehab since he was found as an orphan manatee in Mexico. Daniel is very friendly which is not good as he may approach someone who could harm him.  And so, anyone seeing Daniel should avoid approaching or coming in contact with him, including feeding him – which is both illegal and ill advised." 

It continues by saying  "We want to welcome Daniel to Belize as he is trying to make his way to being a wild manatee and join the wild population." So again if you see Daniel wading in the water near you, just give him some space.




7 News from 7News Belize on Vimeo.

Home | Archives | Downloads/Podcasts | Advertise | Contact Us

7 News Belize