Belmopan - 12 Oct., 2006 - Cabinet held a week long Retreat from the 2nd to the 7th October, 2006 to allow members to focus carefully and objectively on our performance, achievements and effectiveness of the government’s policies since 1998.

The occasion was used to discuss real issues and challenges facing the People’s United Party and to seize the opportunity to arrive at a core of decisions and policies that would give us a party the drive, purpose and energy to take Belize and the Belizean people to a new level of development.

Given the tranquil environment devoid of everyday distractions, Cabinet members were fully engaged in session of honest and frank discussion on the issue of perceived differences, publicly-aired disagreements and the decision making process of Cabinet.

The Ministers achieved consensus that the principle of Cabinet responsibility was the mechanism for dealing with policy and settled the matter that all issues potentially giving rise to policy differences would first be fully disclosed, debated and resolved around the Cabinet table.

Vision 2025:

We discussed a conceptual framework for Belize’s strategic development over the next 20 years. In crafting a national vision of development we will need to ensure that the process is inclusive involving all sectors of society.

Cabinet agreed that it must become a shared vision among the people if it is to be a vehicle of hope and inspiration for a better and brighter future. It must reflect the fundamentals of developing the mental, physical and spiritual well being of the Belizean society.

Government will therefore pursue a process of wide consultation to build tremendous progress of the nation; the trust and confidence of the people matched by the political will move Belize forward.

Where we are with Manifesto Commitments:

We comprehensively reviewed each of its 2003-2008 manifesto commitments. We found that in fact about 80% of these pledges were already achieved or were substantially underway. The Ministers identified the outstanding pledges yet undone and assessed which ones could be reasonably achieved during this term of government.

A Budget Belizeans Can Look Forward to:

Cabinet also began the budgetary process of identifying key objectives and priority areas of action, within the context of fiscal consolidation and debt stabilization, to ensure that we can make public investment in economic and social infrastructure without jeopardizing the remarkable gains made in deficit reduction.

Responsibly Managing
the Debt:

The Ministers received an update on the current status of Belize’s debt rearrangement exercise. The first round of consultations with bondholders has been largely completed with the support of our international financial and legal advisors. It is expected that we will enter the final stage of the exercise shortly with the aim of ensuring long-term sustainability of Belize’s public sector debt. The public will be briefed on this matter as it progresses and the current position update can be viewed on the Central Bank web site www.centralbank.org.bz

Continuing the Process of Reform:

Over the past 8 years, we have delivered substantially on political reform. We have resolved to continue that process, now focusing on issues such as campaign finance reform, more autonomy to village, city and town councils. Amendments to strengthen the Social Security Act, the restructuring of development financing to assist farmers, small and medium enterprises, low income housing and student loans, the Finance and Audit Act, health reform through the NHI and improvements to the minimum wage structure.


Conclusion:

Participant all agreed that the Retreat evolved into a resounding success and more clearly defined the way forward. It enabled Cabinet Ministers to openly discuss, in an uninterrupted manner, a range of policy issues and new ideas critical to a brighter future for our country. The retreat also provided the forum for Ministers to rekindle a spirit of camaraderie and team work among themselves that will ignite greater unity and loyalty within the rank and file of the People’s United Party.

We express gratitude to all who assisted in making the retreat happen. In particular we thank Mr. Tony Quinn whose motivational seminar facilitated our work.

The government of the People’s United Party must now continue to pursue an open, transparent and accountable governance, taking corrective measures to their successful conclusion as we work together with the people to provide a winning formula of economic efficiency and social justice for the common good.

We see one of our primary goals to be a people united to create a strong society of citizen living long healthy and peaceful lives in a growing prosperous nation. Imagine happy Belizean children developing their mind, body and spirit through and education that will bring potential; a progressive society that rewards hard work and excellence and where people who live on the margins- the poor and the weak are protected and empowered to uplift themselves in caring communities across the land.

With Hard Work, by the Might of Truth and the Grace of God, we can and we will fulfill our destiny.

Source: Belize Government
http://www.belize.gov.bz