Senator Rick Scott could be the next Senate Republican Leader in the US Senate - he is considered a possible replacement for the retiring Mitch McConnell. It's a hugely influential post in US politics and it's news in Belize tonight because Scott has written a letter of complaint about Belize's investment climate.
7News has obtained the letter which Scott wrote to the Chief Executive Officer of the Millennium Challenge Corporation. That's the same US government agency which has earmarked 125 million US dollars in grant money for an Education and Energy Project in Belize.
It's the pride of the government of Belize but Senator Scott writes, quote, "to express significant concern regarding Belize's status as a recipient country for Millennium Challenge Corporation grant funding." He notes that_ "one of the criteria to partner with the MCC is the ease of doing business, quote, "which U.S. investors have highlighted is lacking in Belize."
He says, quote, "My inquiry arises from concerns raised by U.S. stakeholders in Belize, who feel that they face unjust impediments in the form of predatory new laws that hinder their business growth and operational viability."
We suspect he is referring to ASR - American Sugar Refineries - known in Belize as ASR/BSI. It's the largest sugar producer in the US - and its corporate headquarters are in West Palm Beach, Florida, which is Scott's home state.
In response, the CEO in the Prime Minister's Office, Narda Garcia told 7News, quote, "We take note of Senator Scott's concerns. We welcome any opportunity to discuss specifics with Senator Scott or CEO Albright whenever it is convenient. We are committed to treating all genuine investors, local and foreign, fairly and according to our laws. Our record on welcoming new investors from abroad is impressive and we stand by it." End quote.
The letter is seen as one more pressure point in ASR's rejection of recent export regulations passed by the Ministry of Agriculture, and, of course, the Commission of Inquiry into the sugar industry, which they have rejected.
