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AnnouncementsLeigh Richardson, Dead at 84Friday, September 4, 2009Tonight we note the passing of a pivotal figure in Belize’s history. Political trailblazer Leigh Richardson died in New York yesterday morning. He was 84 years old and reportedly died of Parkinson’s disease. Foreign Affairs Minister to table Belize-Guatemala settlement Proposal to CabinetFriday, September 4, 2009The draft settlement question which the governments of Belize and Guatemala propose to put to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for a final and binding decision, is scheduled to be tabled at Cabinet – the Government of Belize’s chief policy-making arm – next Tuesday, October 21. Taiwan’s concludes negotiations with BelizeThursday, October 29, 2009A senior official of the Geology and Petroleum Department confirmed to Amandala today that four representatives of the Chinese Petroleum Corporation – Taiwan’s state-owned oil facility, visited Belize last week, when negotiations were finalized for petroleum exploration offshore Belize. The negotiations were between the company and top officials of the Geology and Petroleum Department. SIB Releases Latest StatisticsFriday, September 4, 2009SIB Releases the Latest Statistics September 12, 2008 The Statistical Institute of Belize (S.I.B.) announces the release of the latest Gross Domestic Product (GDP), External Trade and Consumer Price Index statistics for 2008. Gross Domestic Product– 2nd Quarter 2008 After virtually no growth in the first quarter of 2008, Belize’s economy bounced back by 7.3% in the second quarter to post growth of an estimated 4.0% in the first half of this year. The expansion in the second quarter was spurred almost equally by the wholesale and retail trade and manufacturing sectors, both of which grew by more than 10%. The fishing sector, which declined by 20.5% in the first quarter due to the collapse of the country’s largest shrimp farm, rebounded strongly in the second quarter, making it the third largest contributor to the expansion of the economy during that period. Other sectors of growth included agriculture and transport and communication. On the downside, the hotel and restaurant sector declined for a second consecutive quarter, reflecting the continued decrease in tourist arrivals. The electricity and water sector suffered the same fate, as lower rainfall at the Chalillo Dam resulted in a 23.4% drop in electric power generation. The table below provides a summary of performance of the major sectors of the economy during the past year, including the second quarter of this year. A Fitting Tribute to Judge Edward LaingFriday, September 4, 2009Pre-eminent Belizean judge, professor, diplomat and intellectual Edward Laing did what no other Belizean has done - he sat on the International Court of Justice. But that was one accomplishment in a career of many, including lecturing at the University of the West Indies where Prime Minister Dean Barrow and Justice of the Court of Appeal Dennis Morrison were among his students. Laing went on to lecture at notre dame, the University of Maryland, and the New York School of Law. Laing’s death was sudden; he drowned on September 11th 2001 while snorkelling in Caye Caulker. But now his teaching will live on in the Supreme Phillip Goldson Honored As A National HeroFriday, September 4, 2009The Tribute to Belizean Patriots was held last night at the Bliss Center. The evening’s highest honour went fittingly to Phillip Goldson, the man who defined Belizean patriotism in the nationalist era. His son, Phillip Jr. accepted it for his now deceased father. Belize Compelled to Sign onto EPAFriday, September 4, 2009Last night we told you about the EPA, Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and CARICOM. It will give the European Union duty-free access to the Caribbean and the Dominican Republic, a group called CARIFORUM. It was committed to 7 years ago, but when the time for signing came up two days ago, cold feet and lukewarm public receptions forced a postponement of that date. Now, CARICOM heads will meet in Barbados on September 10th to talk about it. But Belize’s head of government, Prime Minister Dean Barrow won’t be attending that meeting because he’ll be busy with tenth celebration here. But, basically, he has nothing much to contribute because Belize is firm, fixed and clear in its position that it has no other option than to sign unto the EPA. And with that clear, trade economists and diplomats agree that the best that can be done is to prepare for it. That’s why an orientation session was held today with government stakeholders. Belize Celebrates 210th Anniversary of the Battle of St. George's CayeFriday, September 4, 2009The Battle of St. George’s Caye: How the celebration started. |
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