PM Calls BCCI Fuel Tax Relief Appeal Embarrassing

PM Briceño has sharply criticized the recent appeal made by the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry, BCCI, for additional fuel tax relief, describing the request as “embarrassing” and insisting that the business community should already have a clear understanding of how the fuel industry operates in Belize.  The Prime Minister’s comments come after the BCCI renewed calls for Government to consider temporary measures aimed at lowering fuel prices, including possible reductions in excise duties and other interventions to provide relief to consumers and businesses affected by high pump prices.  The Chamber had sent a follow-up letter to Government on May 27, arguing that despite percentage adjustments to fuel taxation, the actual dollar amount collected through excise taxes has remained relatively stable. Responding to the Chamber’s position, Prime Minister Briceño said the request was disappointing, particularly coming from an organization representing the business sector, which he says should already understand the realities of fuel acquisition costs, taxation structures, and the volatility of the international oil market.

John Briceño, Prime Minister of Belize: “It’s embarrassing. Listen, if you collect $100 in taxes and you have environmental tax, you have the GST and you have the excise and the import tax, it’s still $100. It doesn’t matter where you take it from. You could take it up from environmental tax or the import tax or the excise tax it’s still removing money from the whole  amount that you’re doing and that’s what we’re doing. So it’s embarrassing sometimes to read such proclamations from the chamber.”

The Prime Minister also maintained that Government has already demonstrated transparency by resuming publication of the fuel price composition schedules, a move previously welcomed by the Chamber itself.  As of May 20, diesel prices stood at fifteen dollars and eighty-five cents per gallon, while regular fuel was selling for thirteen dollars and sixty-one cents and premium at fourteen dollars and sixty-one cents per gallon.  The BCCI says it remains committed to engaging constructively with the administration on measures that could help stabilize fuel prices and reduce pressure on businesses and consumers.