Earlier in the news, we showed you what UDP Chairman Michael Peyrefitte had to say about the public feuding that's been taking place in the Opposition Party
He discussed details in last night's episode of Uncut, but the show also had another guest who took on tough questions about Belize's Cruise future.
Andre Perez, the Minister of the Blue Economy and Civil Aviation made I clear which of the three jostling cruise ports he supports.
Those are Port Coral, Port of Magical Belize, and the Waterloo Port.
Minister Perez discussed said that at this time, Stakebank's Port Coral fits well into the Blue Economy model that he and his team are trying to establish:
Hon. Abner Andre Perez - Minister of Blue Economy "If you look at the Port Coral, you're talking about Stakebank already. That is already well on its way to being a reality very shortly in the next year or so. It all seems to be a place that is in compliance, and that has - I would say - the blessings of the Blue Economy Ministry because we are keenly watching it. We have visited the site. We believe that it has the potential to be part of the Blue Economy model, whereby the investments of coming cruise ship tourism can live side by side with preserving the environment. We believe this is a perfect example. As to the other ones, we must follow what is due process. So, for now, I believe that Stakebank should be given an opportunity to see how it goes about."
Jules Vasquez "If you feel that this meets the ideals of the Blue Economy, how then do you square with the Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development? You all run almost on the same agenda, but that ministry has recently given environmental clearance to the Port of Magical Belize."
Hon. Abner Andre Perez "Let the process take place. They have been given clearance. We have to wait to see what NEAC is going to say. They're all legal implications in here. So, for us to say that we are against it or for it, we're saying let's follow the protocols. There are laws, rules, and regulations that protect this country and also give rights to those who are investors."
Jules Vasquez "I think you're kind of hiding behind this idea of due process. In terms of, are we able to have more than one port?"
Hon. Abner Andre Perez "Now, that's another question, that we have limitations, At some point in time, we have to draw our lines that how many more investments do we need that's going to be weighing on this tiny nation. For example, you're gonna have so many different cruise ship terminals. At what point in time - let's use an example of Caves Branch - how much more can they handle in terms of tourists visiting Caves Branch, or Jaguar Paw, for that matter? How much can they handle? That is the more important thing there. So, there are limitations. The Blue Economy is stating that at some point in time, we must draw our lines and limitation. So, I'm saying that Stakebank is already way ahead of the game. Let's give them that opportunity."
Jules Vasquez "So, should we draw the line there?"
Hon. Abner Andre Perez "I believe that at some point in time, we have to draw the line. And anything, any different project that is out there that is going to compromise our blue capital, the Blue Economy is never going to support."
THE FEINSTEIN GROUP AT PORT CORAL SAYS full environmental clearance for the causeway.
