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FOLLOW THE MONEY: Campaign Finance Reform Back on the Table
Campaign finance reform is returning to Belize's national agenda, with the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry and other social partners renewing efforts to establish rules governing how political campaigns are financed. The Reporter has obtained an updated draft of the Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill, 2026 being circulated by the BCCI as part of the renewed initiative. The effort comes after campaign finance reform has surfaced repeatedly over the past six
50 minutes ago
Belize Enacts New Workplace Safety Law
Belize has enacted a new Occupational Safety and Health Act, establishing expanded workplace protections for employees and new safety obligations for employers across the country. The Government announced Wednesday that the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2026 has been enacted and gazetted, describing the legislation as a modern framework intended to strengthen workplace health and safety standards. The legislation applies across public and private-sector workplaces, incl
52 minutes ago
Global Food Prices Rise Across the Board in August
Global food prices rose by 1.9 percent in August, with every major food category tracked by the United Nations recording an increase as sugar prices surged by nearly 12 percent. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported that its Food Price Index averaged 133.3 points in August 2026, increasing 2.5 points from its revised July level. The broad-based increase pushed the index 2.5 percent above its August 2025 level, although international food prices remained 16.8 pe
53 minutes 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
Revenue Authority Bill: How well do the unions’ claims hold up?
As BTSD workers walk out and unions warn of lost jobs, pensions and accountability, a close reading of the Revenue Authority Bill produces a corroboration score of 75 out of 100—indicating high corroboration overall. Their strongest case lies in the concentration of power, not in claims that the legislation wipes out existing employment and pension rights. As readers may already know, on Wednesday, August 26, employees of the Belize Tax Service Department (BTSD) walked off th
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
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
General
Five Belizean students turn sargassum crisis into agricultural opportunity, win STEAM award
By Ingrid Ferlo A summer camp that five Orange Walk high-school students almost skipped has produced an award-winning idea aimed at turning one of Belize’s most persistent coastal problems into a resource for agriculture. The students developed a concept to collect and process sargassum into agricultural fertilizer, earning their team the “Best Use of STEAM” award at a national festival held in San Ignacio, Cayo, on July 18, 2026. The five Bishop Martin High School students —
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
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