The Citrus Growers Association is holding a special general meeting on Saturday to tell its members how things are going to work after a 47% share of the Citrus Products of Belize Company is transferred to new owners. Today CEO of the CGA Bridget Cullerton explained to 7NEWS what will be on the agenda. She also discussed another meeting being called by members of the CGA who have been opposed to the sale since it occurred in may of last year.
Bridget Cullerton, CEO
"It is a special general meeting being called by the committee of management to explain to the growers the benefits because there have been many questions asked of the association, what will the benefits be as a result of the investment agreement that was signed and the purpose is to share this information with the growers. It is also to get some ideas from them as for instance what particular services they would want, what interests they would have.
Also they are going to talk about when a dividend is paid to ICL, which is our Investment Company Limited, by CPBL and then those come as returns to the associations, how should those funds be used.
There was another meeting which you might have heard mentioned that was petitioned by a certain number of growers and it only takes, by law, fifteen members of the association to require that a meeting be held, a special general meeting. We did receive a petition, however the numbers when we checked, fell short of the fifteen that was needed. It was only twelve when we checked the numbers and so that's not being held at the moment. But more than likely those persons will get the required amount of signatures and come back to have another special meeting."
Alfonso Noble Reporting,
Ms. Cullerton at Saturday's meeting, do you believe that the CGA will be able to clarify a number of things that are persistently being a problem for the industry?
Bridget Cullerton,
"I do believe the clarification will be able to be there and growers will be getting some specific information which definitely be a benefit to them. I think what is important is that growers turn out for that meeting, listen, hear, ask questions, and be active participants in everything that we do in the association. And I would encourage if there are additional meetings that need to be held, so more clarification can be given, more information shared, then that's what should happen."
The meeting is scheduled for 9 am at the CGA headquarters in Stann Creek.
