This morning a new ambassador from the European Commission presented his credentials to the Governor General Sir Colville Young. His excellency Marco Mazzocchi-Alemanni was in Belmopan to present his credentials, after which his work in the country got off to an encouraging start.
With his arrival the European Union agreed to finance a Belize $5.4 million to support banana productivity and rural development in the southern districts as well as a $7.64 million sugar adaptation strategy. At the signing Prime Minister Said Musa explained that the moneys will significantly help in poverty alleviation.
Rt. Hon. Said Musa, Prime Minister of Belize
"This project will continue to assist in ensuring that Belize's banana industry continues to remain competitive in an environment of declining market preferences whilst simultaneously promoting a poverty alleviation strategy that is a central focus for the government of Belize and the European Commission.
The European Union through the European Parliament and the council adopted what they call 'Regulation 266 of 2006' in February of last year and agreed to undertake one or more of the following actions: 1) is to enhance the competitiveness of the sugar and cane sector where there is a sustainable process. 2) Promote the economic diversification of sugar dependent area where long term sustainability is in question and 3) and to address broader adaptation needs."
Tomorrow Ambassador Marco Mazzocchi-Alemanni will visit the banana farms in the south as and conduct a field visit of sugar cane plantations in the Corozal District on Saturday. He leaves the country on Sunday.
