Is The BTL Deal With ICC About To Be Sealed?

The BTL sale to ICC should be completed by the end of the week.

That's what Finance Minister Ralph Fonseca told 7NEWS director Jules Vasquez just a few minutes ago in a telephone interview.

Fonseca says the deal is now down to final reviews by attorneys for both sides. He expects ICC's Jeffrey Prosser to arrive in Belize by tomorrow and to close the deal by Friday. Again though Fonseca stressed that it is more than just a formality as the lawyers' review must be very thorough.

Fonseca added that GOB will be paid the $114 million for the shares - because, "that has never been in doubt." He denied reports that Social Security's shares were being added as a sweetener.

We'll have more on this story in tomorrow's newscast.