One week ago Prime Minister Hon. Said Musa said he was satisfied that Carnival's $100 million cruise terminal project is good for Belize and it will proceed. But bowing to pressure both within and without Belmopan; government has asked Carnival to modify some clauses of the contract specifically relating to the employment of Belizeans and adherence to the cruise tourism policy.
Representatives of GOB and Carnival met in Belmopan earlier this week with those issues on the table. Lead negotiator for Tourism is Minister Mark Espat. He says he is optimistic they will reach a middle ground.
Hon. Mark Espat, Tourism Minister
“I think it’s a two way street Keith. We are very positive about their investment in Belize as we are about any meaningful tourism investment. And I believe that they recognize that they will benefit from working with the government and from working with the Ministry. So I believe that the relationship can result in some changes that people are seeking.”
“I embrace the opportunity to try and get the best deal for Belize that I can get. And I am sure on the other side of the table that the sworn obligation of the other parties are to get the best deal that they can. And so I guess the objective is to try and reach a middle ground.”
Keith Swift,
So you don’t think the best deal was gotten when the contract was originally signed?
Hon. Mark Espat, Tourism Minister
“I think that circumstances change everyday and I that in the same way that investors ask government to be flexible with things that may have appeared completely out of realm, a year ago or 6 months ago, it is the same way that what is requested of investors I think changes over time.”
Keith Swift,
How confident are you that Carnival will accede to GOB’s request and this project will move forward?
Hon. Mark Espat, Tourism Minister
“I think the request do not in anyway jeopardize their investment. I believe that they are serious investors, I hope they are. I take them at their word. And we have a responsibility in government to try and ensure that whatever investments are made benefit Belizeans. At the end of the day that is what this discussion is about. It is about making some changes to certain clauses that have made people, especially those in the tourism private sector, uncomfortable and I think that we can resolve them. I am confident we can.”
Keith Swift,
But I have to ask, don’t you think those same obligations to Belizeans were neglected when the Carnival contract was signed just several months ago?
Hon. Mark Espat, Tourism Minister
“As I said Keith I don’t think any document, any arrangement is a strait jacket. There are certain things that are more flexible than others and I hope that we will be able to come to a resolution on these things so that on the end of the day we can have one of the biggest or the biggest cruise company in the world put their money where their mouth is which is into the ground and into this project.”
Construction on the Carnival Port was scheduled to begin next year however preliminary work such as soil testing has already started.