SAN PEDRO DAILY,August 5, 2007,Belize News,Features,Newspapers, Information,Resource,Caribbean,Ambergris Caye

Our Belize Community -
“Mr. Ray” Sankar

Ambergris Caye attracts people to its beautiful shores year-round. However, one aspect that has visitors returning to this hub of Belize’s tourism industry is the friendliness of the island’s residents. This week, The San Pedro Sun is honored to introduce a man whose laughter and outgoing nature keeps his patrons coming back for more – Raymond “Mr. Ray” Sankar of The Villas at Banyan Bay.
Raymond met Seferino “Chefy” Paz, of The Villas at Banyan Bay who offered him a job managing his new warehouse. Raymond’s responsibilities include controlling the resort’s inventory, but he says the best aspect of his job is taking care of the arrivals and departures for this first-class resort. Eight years later, Raymond can still be seen driving the Banyan Bay limo through the streets of San Pedro Town. “I have met a lot of people throughout the years, guests from all around the world who have remained my friends. I have met some ‘great guns’ in my profession; Senators, Company Presidents, Chief Executive Officers and loads of other interesting people,” he said. In his free time, Raymond cherishes spending time with his family and grandchildren. He also makes time to enjoy the company of friends. He loves making new friends, but thinks it very important to always maintain his old friendships. “Laughter is medicine to the soul, it is always nice to share a laugh with someone!” he exclaimed.
Raymond loves his life in San Pedro Town and would not trade his job for anything in the world. Always willing to make his guests’ day a little happier, Raymond Sankar, without a doubt, has “charmed” his way into the hearts of “Our Belize Community." Read More

Poor performance, will cause PUP
to lose in 2009, Economist says

An assessment of economic performance for the fiscal period ending September 2006 by the Economist Intelligence Unit of London shows that despite gains in GDP, and improvement in reducing the trade deficit gap, the Government has not been able to maintain its target of 2.9% of GDP.
The report describes GOB’s fiscal performance for the year (2006 / 2007) as poor, and notes that there has been renewed international concern over Belize’s large debt, despite the successful restructuring exercise completed in February.
A better performance in the private sector brought on by petroleum exports, and higher earnings from sugar and tourism caused the trade deficit to fall sharply. But the study says “we expect real GDP growth to slow in 2007/2008 to around 3%” because of a pick-up in spending in the run-up to the 2008 elections.
“Amid allegations of high-level corruption, opinion polls indicate widespread public hostility towards the government,” the report notes.
“The PUP is divided; several ministers lost their jobs in Cabinet reshuffle in early June following a cabinet rebellion against the Prime Minister’s involvement in a secretive financial deal.”
In its summary outlook for 2007/2008 the study says: The authority of Prime Minister Said Musa has been severely weakened by the continuing divisions within his governing People’s United Party, and additional evidence of mismanagement of the public finances in the run-up to the 2008 elections.
“The Economist Intelligence Unit expects the electorate’s dissatisfaction with the Musa Administration to result in a landslide electoral defeat for the PUP to the opposition United Democratic Party,” the country report concludes. Read More

Belize’s Big Five

Belize, as an emerging economy, strategically bridging the region of Central America and the Caribbean, offers plenty of untapped potential for upscale investments and value-added activities. Our economy is open for business. There is respect for the rule of law. With an impressive program of physical and economic infrastructure carried out in recent years, supported by heavy investment in human resources in education and skills training. Belize is ready. In a climate of political and macro-economic stability, a modern communication and telecommunication system well advanced, we can now envision a Belize of tomorrow, a fully developed country, small in size, but big in heart; a society that is prosperous, socially just that is holding its own in the world, with balanced, sustainable growth.
There are five areas of special interest to investors in Belize. Five areas that Belize shines especially bright.
Now a brief thumbnail sketch of each of those five investor goldmines:
1. Agribusiness
In the area of agribusiness we are projecting more investments in value added products. Belize’s abundant resources allow businesses to process raw materials for niche export markets. We see an increase in domestic production of feedstock such as soybeans, where crops are linked to the livestock sub-sector by providing supplies for animal, marine and poultry feed.
Both the citrus and sugar industries need increased investments in sugar cane fields and citrus orchards as they both need to increase their factory throughput in order to maximize the factories’ capacities. With the increased production, they would be better positioned to accommodate additional investments to diversify into other value added products.
In addition, the processing and conversion of sugar cane for the production of ethanol as an alternative and renewable source of energy has renewed investment attraction.
Opportunities also exist not only for the production of bio-diesel, but for the supply of product to process into bio-diesel.
2. Tourism
In the area of tourism with the expansion of the international airport, there is heightened interest in the construction of high- end resorts and hotels. We also need increased support services to facilitate the attraction and establishment of new “branded” resorts and hotels.
With its beautiful landscape, rich diversity of culture and ecology, Belize is naturally poised to target niche tourism for its appeal and demand in international markets.
3. Aquaculture
In the area of aquaculture, opportunities for investment exist in the cage-farming of fish, and lobster. This technique has proven track record and as such Belize’s pristine waters can function as natural capital when investing in this sector. Opportunities exist in shrimp, Australian Red Claw Lobster, and fin fish such as Tilapia, Red Drum, and Cobia.
4. Information Communication Technology
In the area of ICT, opportunities for investment exist in domestic and offshore service providers. Due to the geographic shrinking effects of telecommunications and its supporting systems, companies worldwide are reducing operational costs by outsourcing many of their in-house data and information processing services to off-shore areas. The world has literally become a global village, and with business being conducted 24 hours-a-day, these technical support services are critical in the international arena.
5. Environmental Goods and Services
In the area of environmental goods and services, we have investment opportunities in timber and non-timber value added products. Investments are needed in research facilities for the creation of pharmaceutical products, herbal supplements, and other non-timber forest products.
Probably Belize’s most valuable asset is its citizens. Thanks to the inherent sensitivity and industry of Belizeans, Belize is a nonpareil arena for investment
Investors are beginning to realize that Belize is truly a good country. To crib from the National Anthem- blessed by nature with wealth untold. Read More

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