And maybe he was rushing to Belmopan for the next signing - to which the press was not invited.
Today the Prime Minister signed a loan agreement with the Taiwan ICDF to expand and rehabilitate the Philip Goldson Highway.
The second loan targets improving Belize's work force by modernizing employment services with the help of IDB. At the signing ceremony, MIDH Minister Espat underscored the importance of the Goldson Highway:
Julius Espat, Minister of Infrastructure
"It is my distinct honor on behalf of the government of and the people of Belize to participate in today's signing ceremony for the co financing agreement that will support one of our country's most important transportation investments. The expansion and rehabilitation of the Philip Goldson Highway, the project represents a major step forward in our national commitment to modernizing critical infrastructure and strengthening the backbone of Belize's economic connectivity. The Phillip Goldson highway is more than just a roadway it is one of Belize's most vital transportation couriers linking Belize City with the northern districts and serving as a key route for commerce, tourism, agriculture and international trade. Everyday thousands of Belizeans depend on this highway for work, business, education and family life, ensuring it is safe, efficient and resilient is there for a national priority. Through this project approximately 26.5km of roadway will be be rehabilitated and upgraded to modern engineering standards. The scope of works include the reconstruction of the road base and sub base. Improvements to both vertical and horizontal alignments to enhance safety upgrading drainage systems to reduce flooding vulnerability and the installation of new road safety features and delineation. Additional improvements will include hot mix asphalt pavement, construction of sidewalks and side drains and the installation of a concrete roundabout to improve traffic management and safety."
Karla Gonzalez, Country Representative for IDB
"This program addresses the challenge and is designed to expand opportunity by helping Belizeans enter the labor force and build in demand skills through relevant quality focused training in priority sectors as tourism, business process outsourcing and communication technologies this program will strengthen the labor department and its ten offices countrywide. Employment services will become more responsive and more effective through digital job matching platforms improved labor market information systems and enhance case management, the program focuses on young people, women and migrants addressing key constraints to participation such as digital training and access to child care. Furthermore, the focus on employability Is part of the continuous work that the IDB and the government of Belize are doing in education."
