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Seventeen thousand acres of land at Turneffe Atoll will remain under Government ownership and be protected in perpetuity for the people of Belize. That decision was among several approved by Cabinet during its meetings on July 28 and August 4. Cabinet authorized the finalization and execution of the Deed of Mutual Release, Compromise and Settlement, along with an Irrevocable Declaration of Trust establishing the Turneffe Conservation Land Trust. The approximately seventeen thousand acres will be held in trust permanently, strengthening the protection of one of Belize’s most environmentally important areas. Cabinet also approved a major change to Government’s twenty-point-nine-million-dollar equity contribution to the proposed National Bus Company. Instead of investing that amount in bus terminals, the Government will contribute electric buses and the charging infrastructure needed to operate them. The Minister of Transportation will present a revised Public Transportation Investment Bill Cabinet Memorandum reflecting the change. The proposal will also include a long-term arrangement under which Government would lease the terminals to the National Bus Company. In public-sector reform, Cabinet approved an eight-million-US-dollar loan agreement with the Inter-American Development Bank. The financing is intended to improve the management of Central Government’s wage bill and increase the effectiveness of strategic public employment. Cabinet also reviewed the recovery of Belize’s shrimp industry, which was severely affected by Early Mortality Syndrome. Production has tripled since 2020, with the industry’s contribution to the Belizean economy now approaching twenty-five million dollars. Government expects faster-growing shrimp genetics, new investments and expanded use of intensive farming systems to support further growth. The industry is also positioning itself to revive exports to Mexico, the Caribbean and Taiwan. Cabinet approved amendments to the National Awards Act to establish two new national honours. The Award of Valour would recognize extraordinary bravery, courage and self-sacrifice in protecting lives or the national interest. The Order of Patriotic Excellence and National Pride would honour Belizeans who demonstrate exceptional patriotism, loyalty and selfless national service. Passengers departing through Belize’s municipal airports will also face a new ten-dollar aviation security fee. Cabinet approved the charge to help the Belize Airports Authority introduce more advanced screening procedures, modernize airport security and meet evolving international civil aviation requirements. On the legislative front, Cabinet approved amendments to the Cybercrime Bill intended to protect freedom of expression while preserving the State’s ability to address malicious deepfakes, impersonation, extortion, threats and targeted harassment. The proposed amendments would expressly safeguard journalism, political debate, satire and public accountability. They would also require the written consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions before a prosecution under the relevant provision could begin. Cabinet also reviewed an updated draft of the Protected Disclosures Bill. The changes reflect recommendations submitted by stakeholders and are intended to align the legislation with Belize’s common-law system and international anti-corruption standards. And finally, Cabinet reminded Belizeans that GST will be waived on eligible school supplies during two back-to-school tax-free days: Saturday, August 15, and Saturday, August 29.
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