And turning now to state news...
Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has arrived in Belize for his 3 day state visit in Belize. Today he addressed parliamentarians at a Joint sitting of the House of Representatives. Following the Sitting, Belize and Guyana took concrete steps to deepen bilateral engagement through the signing of four Memoranda of Understanding. Our team was at yesterday's arrival and Courtney Menzies has a recap:
We might have expected a private jet from the leader of the oil rich nation with the fastest growing economy in the world, but President Mohamed Irfaan Ali Guyana, flew commercial when he and his delegation arrived in Belize yesterday for his first official State Visit.
This begins a new chapter in the historically strong relations between the two CARICOM nations. The President touched down at the PGIA at approximately 1:28 p.m., accompanied by Hugh Todd, Guyana's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, as well as a delegation of investors and business leaders.
President Ali was welcomed with the customary fanfare reserved for heads of state by Belize's diplomatic and government officials, including Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca, his CEO Amalia Mai and members of the Belize Defence Force Honor Guard - which he inspected:
The ceremonial reception also included Gale Miller Garnett, Belize's High Commissioner to Guyana, and other members of the diplomatic corps.
After the inspection of the guard, Ali and his delegation made their way to Prime Minister John Briceno's Farm followed by returning to Belize City last night for a welcome reception.
During his three-day visit, President Ali is scheduled to address a joint sitting of Belize's Parliament, coinciding with the inauguration of the newly renovated National Assembly building. He will also sign MOU's with Belize in the areas of education, tourism and defence.
As Lead Head of Government for Agriculture within CARICOM, he will also engage with Belize's productive sector and Ali's presence in Belize is seen as presenting opportunities for economic growth, particularly in agriculture and investment sectors. Jaleeza Roberts, 7 News.
Dr. Ali will be leaving Belize tomorrow.
