On January 20, the National Agriculture and Trade Show Committee held its 1st meeting in order to start planning for the 2010 show.
The Committee decided that this year’s show will be held from April 30 to May 2. It is planned to start implementing some of the components developed in the Master Plan 2009.
According to Gabino Canto, CEO in the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry is not issuing permits for commercial importation of a number of vegetables produced locally. This announcement follows protests received from farmers in the North, who complain that what they produce is not selling well because of stiff competition from those who import vegetables from Mexico.
So, in order to try to keep the level of sales, the Ministry of Agriculture will not issue permits for importation of lettuce, cabbage, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, celery or cho-cho. Also, officials at the northern border from Customs and Excise and the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA) should turn back any importer who has these vegetables derived from Mexico.
On January 19, it was announced during the Cabinet meeting that Prime Minister, the Hon. Dean Barrow, accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Kim Simplis-Barrow, will leave Belize on January 26 for New York.
Prime Minister will attend the American Foundation for the University of the West Indies (AFUWI) Annual Legacy Awards Fundraising Gala on January 28. At the event, he will receive the distinguished Legacy Award in recognition of his contribution to the social and economic development of Belize and the Caribbean region.
Mr. and Mrs. Barrow will return home on January 31.
While the Prime Minister is out of Belize, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, the Hon. Gaspar Vega, will serve as Acting Prime Minister.
On January 11, 2010, 3 ambassadors – those of Egypt, the Czech Republic, and Austria – presented their letters of Credence to the Governor-General of Belize, Sir Colville Young in Belmopan.
On presenting his Credentials, His Excellency Ibrahim Ahdy Khairat of Egypt said that to strengthening the relations between the 2 countries and developing the exchanges in the sphere of culture, education, tourism, commerce, health and others is his main task as Ambassador of Egypt.
His Excellency Pavel Prochazka of the Czech Republic expressed his deep consciousness of the responsibility placed upon him and the importance of the mission entrusted to him. He said that he will aim to maintain good relations between the governments of the Czech Republic and Belize.
Ambassador for Austria, His Excellency Alfred Langle, expressed his satisfaction for the good bilateral cooperation in so many areas. He also said that he had no doubt that this cooperation wouldl continue.
All 3 Ambassadors paid courtesy calls on Prime Minister, Hon. Dean Barrow.