- April 1, 2022
- Posted by: BCCI-Editor-M
- Category: Blog
Business Perspective
BCCI-NTUCB Labour Committee Re: OSH Bill—
The BCCI-NTUCB’s Labour Committee met on Tuesday, March 29th, so as to discuss the way forward with the joint review of the review of the Occupational Health and Safety (OSH) provided by the OSH Technical Working Committee.
NTNC Re: Belize-Mexico FTA—
BCCI’s President and Chief Policy Analyst attended the Friday, March 25, National Trade Negotiation Commission (NTNC) meeting. They presented the BCCI’s position regarding the need for the government (in partnership with stakeholders) to conduct a thorough ex-ante sensitivity analysis that takes into account the impact in all sectors and economic agents. This includes services and merchandise trade. This would also look at the impact on consumers, employees, and the overall Belizean economy. A comprehensive analysis should also make estimates for investment flows and for impact on Belize’s competitiveness. The government has agreed with the need for the more detailed, and communicated this via a March 28th press release. The release stated: “There was a technical presentation from the Directorate General for Foreign Trade (DGFT), which highlighted the potential benefits and challenges of a substantial trade agreement with Mexico. The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) in its presentation reiterated its position of being pro-trade and called for further empirical studies to negotiations with Mexico. The NTNC agreed that the DGFT and the BCCI would conduct further analysis to inform the negotiations.”
Report to NTNC Re: Import Licensing and BAHA Fees—
Guided by complaints that have been received in writing and via verbal communication regarding the discriminatory application of the import licensing regime and regarding the increased fees at BAHA, the BCCI has communicated these concerns to the co-chairs of the National Trade Negotiation Commission (NTNC). The BCCI is of the view that the import licensing regime must comply with the Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures that, inter alia, states that “the rules for import licensing procedures shall be neutral in application and administered in a fair and equitable manner.”
