We also asked the Prime Minister if his government will move forward with the agreement that the Barrow Administration entered into with the Nature Conservancy.
It's called the Belize Maya Forest Project, and the Washington-based organization has committed to buying 260 thousand acres of land from private landowners in Northern Belize. Those properties are covered by pristine forest canopy, which TNC wants to turn into a vast protected area. It's a major conservation effort that supposed to be for benefit of the Government and the people of Belize. But, the previous government formally agreed to waive 50 years of land taxes and stamp duties on this purchase.
You'll remember that prominent members of the Briceno Government put the deal on blast for the tax breaks that the agreement contemplates.
But, the Statutory Instrument that would have enabled the tax breaks was left to the new PM John Briceno to sign.
So, on Wednesday, Jules asked the PM if he will sign off on it. He said that his government is working with TNC for an amended agreement:
Jules Vasquez - Host
"Have you agreed to sign the SI, or will there be some modification?"
Hon. John Briceno - Prime Minister
"No, we will not sign the SI the way it is."
Jules Vasquez
"Right, you'll modify."
Hon. John Briceno
"We just cannot write off millions of dollars to write off the millions of dollars. As it is right now - and I don't have the details - but, the Minister of State is working with TNC, and we will find an accommodation where both sides can win. But, the Belizean people..."
Jules Vasquez
"Do you believe in the carbon credit program?"
Hon. John Briceno
"Yes, we do. We believe that we can get as much as 56+ million US dollars per year with carbon credits. But, what is important to point out [is] that the carbon credits are supposed to belong to the people of this country, not the landowners, and not to the one that manages the NGOs that manage these protected areas. But, what we will do is to find a way where we can share the revenues, whereby the conservation groups can get a portion of the money, which they should since they are the ones who are taking care of the forest. But, at the same time, we can also take some of that money to be able to invest, especially in our fight against poverty. So, we are working on finding some kind of balance, where all of us can win."
