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Has BTL breached the Telecommunications Act yet?

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Has BTL breached the Telecommunications Act yet?

"A licensee shall not enter into or give effect to any agreement, arrangement or understanding which has the purpose or has, or is likely to have, the effect of significantly lessening competition in any market for the supply of telecommunication services or of any product used in connection with telecommunication services." — Section 42(4), Belize Telecommunications Act. The approval by Belize Telemedia Limited's (BTL) Board of Directors this week of a proposed acquisition o

16 hours ago

PUC Signals Review as Opposition to BTL-Smart Acquisition Broadens

Public Utilities Commission (PUC) says it will not prejudge Belize Telemedia Limited's proposed acquisition of Speednet Communications Limited (SMART), as business groups, independent senators and opposition legislators intensify calls for scrutiny of the transaction under the Telecommunications Act. The PUC issued a statement Wednesday reaffirming that its review of the proposed acquisition will be conducted strictly in accordance with the law, regulations and established pr

17 hours ago

Belize Passport Ranks 50th Globally in Latest Henley Index

Belize's passport ranks 50th in the world in the latest Henley Passport Index, published on July 16, placing it among 199 passports assessed for global travel freedom and marking a modest improvement over last year. The 2026 Henley Passport Index, released by Henley & Partners on July 16, ranks passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access without obtaining a visa before departure. Belize received a global access score of 100, giving Belizean pass

17 hours ago

Economy

BCCI warns price controls could discourage investment

Current price-control regulations could discourage investment, reduce product availability and place smaller importers at a competitive disadvantage, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) has warned. The BCCI, the country's leading private-sector advocacy organization, is calling on the Government of Belize to reverse the expanded price-control measures introduced in 2023, arguing that the framework—implemented during a period of exceptional global inflation and

Local Boot Maker: Defence Ministry procurement debate is also about industrial policy

The investigation into procurement at Belize's Ministry of Defence has largely focused on whether taxpayers paid too much for imported military boots. Jaime Marin, proprietor of the local manufacturer Umbraland, argues that the larger question is whether the Government is failing to use its own purchasing power to develop domestic industry. Mr. Marin points to Section 19 of the Fiscal Incentives Act, 2023, which provides that 20% of all government stores purchased and contrac

BPF Pushes 'Buy Belize First' Policy to Boost Local Economy

Belize People's Front Leader Nancy Marin is calling for a "Buy Belize First" procurement policy, arguing that government spending should prioritize Belizean-made goods to strengthen local businesses and reduce the country's dependence on imports. Marin unveiled the proposal as part of a broader economic policy statement in which she argued that government procurement should become a tool for building domestic industries rather than supporting overseas producers where local al

Politics

BPF Pushes 'Buy Belize First' Policy to Boost Local Economy

BCCI to GOB: Why Wait? Strengthen Controls Now

The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) is urging the Government to immediately strengthen financial controls over public procurement, arguing that many reforms can be implemented now without waiting for ongoing investigations or a broader review of procurement laws. In a June 29 letter to Prime Minister John Briceño, BCCI President Giacomo Sanchez said the recent procurement and payment-processing irregularities should serve as an opportunity to strengthen the sys

Briceño Convenes Special Cabinet Meeting on Procurement Amid Heightened Scrutiny

Prime Minister John Briceño convened the full Cabinet and chief executive officers for a special meeting on public procurement this week as the government continues to face scrutiny over procurement practices involving the Ministries of Home Affairs and Defence. The session was designed to review procurement best practices, legislative requirements and recurring weaknesses identified through government audits. The meeting featured presentations from the Financial Secretary, C

General

Global Institutions: Crisis Easing; Not Yet Over

The world's principal institutions overseeing energy, finance, development and trade say the immediate shock from the Middle East war is easing, but warned that the global economy remains vulnerable and governments should remain prepared for further disruption. In a rare joint statement issued after a high-level coordination meeting on July 7, the heads of the International Energy Agency (IEA), International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank Group and World Trade Organization s

'You Can't Boss Us Around': EBC Cites Constitution to Resist FOIA Request

The Elections and Boundaries Commission says Belize's Freedom of Information Act cannot compel it to release redistricting records, arguing the Constitution places the Commission beyond the direction or control of outside authorities. In a response to public interest litigant Jeremy Enriquez, the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) rejected an expansive Freedom of Information request seeking records relating to Belize's long-delayed electoral redistricting exercise. The