Trade and Investment C.E.O. says GOB is Growing Jobs

The latest statistics on unemployment in Belize, released a few weeks ago by the Statistical Institute, shows an increase in joblessness in the districts. The only increase in employment was in Belize City, a result of the ongoing city infrastructure projects. The dialogue between the public and private sectors is focused on driving the economy and in his address this morning the Prime Minister made special mention of new projects to be labour intensive. So while job creation is a priority of development, is it a reality in Belize today? Ministry of Trade and Investment Promotion, Mike Singh, says it is.

Mike Singh, C.E.O., Ministry of Trade and Investment Promotion

“In the major sectors they’re actually hiring more people. The Prime Minister spoke about the second sugar mill in the west. I know for a fact that they are up to about five hundred and fifty new employees, just in that factory alone, and as they expand they expect to be up to about eight hundred and fifty. In the north sugar is growing, you’ve seen the numbers, production is up. They are planning an expansion program as well. Citrus is getting back on its feet. Shrimp…there’s going to be a lot of discussion about shrimp. In fact, one of the gentlemen on my panel is Mr. Alvin Henderson, and he will tell you that his production is growing, his exports are growing, and he is expanding jobs. The former Fresh Catch Tilapia Farm, for instance, is now back in operation. It’s now called Fine Catch. It’s owned by Mr. Michael Feinstein, and in a discussion I had with him three weeks ago, he expects to have between four to six hundred people employed there once they get into full production.”

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