Belmopan. July 3, 2025.
The Cabinet met on 1st July 2025.
- Cabinet discussed the findings of the Commission of Inquiry into the sugar industry and approved some elements of the Strategic Action Plan, which includes the establishment of a Sugar Cane Industry Authority to make certain strategic plans for the updating, improvement, or revamping of the industry.
- Cabinet received an update from the Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Cordel Hyde, in his capacity as the Chairman of the Joint Union Negotiating Team (JUNT), who informed Cabinet that the unions accepted the Government’s latest proposal. The Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to the JUNT, especially the unions, for their efforts in reaching an amicable settlement.
- To facilitate an increase in visitors from certain southern Mexican States, namely Campeche, Yucatan, Tabasco, Chiapas, and Quintana Roo, Cabinet gave its approval for the removal of exit taxes for visitors who stay up to seven days, along with the implementation of a Visitor’s Digital Border Crossing Card. These visitors will be allowed to travel with their private vehicles without being charged import duties, fees, or levies.
- Cabinet gave its approval for the Attorney General’s Ministry to prepare the necessary legal instruments for Belize to accede to the Protocol Privileges and Immunities of the International Seabed Authority and the Convention on Privileges and Immunities of the Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean. This treaty prohibits the manufacture, use, storage, and testing of nuclear weapons in the region, promotes nuclear disarmament, ensures compliance with the treaty, and fosters a nuclear weapon-free zone in Latin America and the Caribbean.
- Cabinet endorsed the second National Strategy for the Development of Statistics, a five-year plan for the strengthening of Belize’s national statistics system. The plan is to be developed by the Statistical Institute of Belize in collaboration with various public sector producers of statistics. This Plan will guide the country’s statistical development through to 2028 and aims to improve the capacity of the country’s data system to meet the needs of its key stakeholders.
- Cabinet approved the enactment of the Draft National Policy for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to guide the operation of the TVET sector in Belize. The policy will position TVET as a central component of Belize’s education sector and will provide strategic direction for its development, modernization, and expansion in response to national and regional labour market demands.
Finally, Cabinet reminds all Belizeans to prepare emergency kits and review family plans this hurricane season.
