MyBelize.Net - Business News

Citrus Products CEO Henry Canton Defends Contracts to his Companies

If you watched 7News on Friday night, you saw the embattled leaders of Citrus Products of Belize Limited, Chairman of the Board Mike Duncker and CEO Henry Canton defending themselves against charges levied by the leadership of the Citrus Growers Association. Along with Ernest Raymond, who is one of the leaders of the new growers’ group - they fiercely held the position that – despite the fact that the Citrus Growers has a majority shareholding – it was their duty as directors to make decisions in the best interest of the

Cane farmers get re-certification to receive Fair Trade funds

An audit of the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA) in July of 2009 pointed to gross mismanagement and irregularities. That resulted in a suspension of the B.S.C.F.A.’s certification for funding from Europe, known as FLO-CERT and Certification for Development. Millions of dollars were put on hold that would have otherwise benefited farmers and the industry. David Madrid, B.S.C.F.A.’s new C.E.O., says that that FLO-CERT lifted the suspension on January seventh. A letter from Pieter Louw, the head of Business Development for FLO-CERT, says that QUOTE “I can confirm that

The Woes of Citrus Growers

The Citrus Growers Association – they own 51% of the Citrus Products of Belize Limited – which amounts to controlling interests – but they say they don’t control the company because the directors, who are supposed to represent them, actually don’t. They’ve been struggling to get them ejected but that matter is before the court. But as they say, while the grass is growing, the cow is starving – and in this case – while what they call a rogue board is running things, the growers stand to lose their

Florida freeze expected to boost Belize citrus export prices

Still on the economy, the freeze has been bad news for the citrus industry in the US where temperatures dropped to as low as twenty-five degrees causing orange groves in Florida to freeze over the weekend. But if the adage rings true that when America sneezes we catch a cold, then the cold brought on by the freeze is actually good news for local growers because of the boost in export prices for citrus. When C.E.O. of the Citrus Growers Association appeared on Open Your Eyes this morning, he explained

Cane Industry has newcomer; United Cane Farmers Assn

And in the north, the breakaway cane farmers from have made an impact and historical change on the sugar industry. Since 2007, a group of caneros attempted to disassociate themselves from alleged mismanagement inside the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (B.S.C.F.A.). Well, that was finally accomplished on December sixteenth when the Sugar Industry Control Board, B.S.C.F.A., Belize Sugar Industries Limited and the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries signed on the dotted line and officially recognized the existence of United Cane Farmers Association. News Five sat down with Willie Magana and

Citrus Growers Assn change composition of Board of Directors

We’re reported that there is turmoil in the citrus industry and a special general meeting was convened to deal several topics vital to its survival. Aside from the difficulties with Bank Holdings of Barbados which the Citrus Growers Association says is colluding with C.P.B.L., the meeting also discussed the composition of the C.G.A. board. The growers were incensed that three former board members, entered into a lopsided agreement with Banks Holdings. The men had left the C.G.A. and the members agreed that they could not return to the board. Henry

Bureau of Standards Rates Supermarkets

And as you saw, true to tradition Christmas brings its own money, and the shoppers are cutting about looking for deals; for most, the best store is where they find the best prices. But, there’s another way to rate those stores; the bureau of standards recently did it – rating popular supermarkets on a scale of one to five stars – with five stars signifying the best-kept standards. Five stars means the store is, in

Japan Gives Belize $10 million for Solar Energy Project

The Japanese government is helping the Government of Belize with a solar energy project. It’s in the spirit of combating climate change and US$5 million will be spent on a solar electricity generation system which will produce enough energy to sell into the national grid – or at least that’s the idea. Signing on behalf of the Government of Belize was Financial Secretary Joe Waight and he told the Government Press Office more. Joe Waight, Financial

Trouble Over Detained Xatero

On Monday we showed you the dramatic capture of 28 year old Guatemalan Benigno Garcia. It happened on Saturday at the extreme western edge of Belize’s territory in the Caracol Archaeological Reserve – just 500 meters from the Guatemalan border. The BDF, police and the friends for conservation and development were there as Garcia was intercepted in Belizean territory with a loaded 22 rifle, and a pair of two freshly killed gibnut that he is

Protestors denounce water rate increase

While the politicians had a go at each inside the House, outside temperatures were flaring as a group of protesters continued a protest against the increase in water rates. Two weeks ago, residents of San Pedro took to the streets to protest the decision of the Public Utilities Commission to approve a water rate increase of ten point six percent. At Isla Bonita, residents are already paying much higher rates. Hundreds signed up a petition and today they took their plight to the capital. William Anderson, Protestor “Six months ago or a