This week, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise collaborated with the Directorate General for Foreign Trade, the Customs Department, and the Belize Agriculture Health Authority (BAHA) to hold a national grains stakeholder meeting.
The discussion focused on the expansion of the Belize-Guatemala Partial Scope Agreement and challenges encountered in its implementation. Farmers recommended the Government should urgently address issues with financial payments and the logistical challenges at the border with Guatemala. They are also asking the government to enter negotiation talks for the facilitation of trade. There is an interest in the possible exportation of corn, cattle, and other livestock. As we know the current trade in cattle happens through a border backdoor in Calla Creek.
This stakeholder meeting is the first of several which will be held in relation to the expansion of Belizean products sold into Guatemala.
