As we told you last night, Cabinet has given the green light for Belizeans to shop in the Free Zone on November 17th and December 15th. The conditions are that no alcohol or tobacco can be purchased other, we imagine, than what is consumed on the premises and that after leaving, everyone has to go through Customs.
But the Chamber of Commerce isn't one bit happy about it. A release today says that government isn't serious. The release warns that allowing shoppers into the zone for two days will make what has already been a bad year worse for producers and retailers.
It concludes that the decision by Cabinet will cancel any hopes for a semi-recovery from that bad year because Christmas shopping will be down for traditional tax-paying businesses.
