Carib Scope

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  • Pringle Meets New French Ambassador, Discusses Climate, Security and Regional Cooperation

    Pringle Meets New French Ambassador, Discusses Climate, Security and Regional Cooperation

    In a high-profile diplomatic meeting held in St. John’s, Antigua, Jamale Pringle, leader of Antigua and Barbuda’s parliamentary opposition, sat down with Marie-Noëlle Duris, France’s newly appointed ambassador to the dual-island nation, to explore avenues for deepening bilateral and regional partnership. The productive talks touched on a broad spectrum of priority areas where both sides share common goals, ranging from climate action and climate resilience to cross-border security, educational exchange, public health collaboration, and further regional integration across the Caribbean bloc.

    For small island developing states across the Caribbean, climate resilience has emerged as one of the most pressing policy priorities in recent decades. As rising sea levels, more frequent extreme weather events, and growing climate-related economic disruptions threaten the long-term sustainability of Caribbean communities, regional governments have increasingly pushed for stronger international collaboration to access funding, technical expertise, and coordinated policy frameworks to mitigate and adapt to climate impacts. This meeting placed this critical issue at the top of the bilateral agenda, reflecting both sides’ recognition of the urgent need for collective action.

    Beyond climate action, the two diplomats also highlighted security, education, and health as key sectors where deeper engagement could deliver tangible benefits for both nations. Closer security cooperation could help address shared transnational challenges facing the Caribbean, while expanded educational and public health ties would open opportunities for knowledge sharing, capacity building, and improved access to resources for local communities.

    At the conclusion of the meeting, both Pringle and Ambassador Duris reaffirmed their shared commitment to nurturing stronger diplomatic ties and advancing future collaborative projects not only between France and Antigua and Barbuda, but across the broader Caribbean region. The meeting marks one of Duris’ first high-level bilateral engagements since she recently took up her diplomatic post, signaling France’s continued interest in deepening its diplomatic and cooperative footprint across the Caribbean. For Antigua and Barbuda, the discussion opens new doors to expanded international partnerships that align with the nation’s key policy priorities, regardless of domestic political divisions.

  • Cancer advocacy group targets $3.8m for 14-bed hospice

    Cancer advocacy group targets $3.8m for 14-bed hospice

    Against a backdrop where most terminally ill cancer patients on the island rely entirely on private home-based care, the Barbados Association for Cancer Advocacy (BACA) has launched an ambitious capital campaign to construct the country’s first dedicated 14-bed inpatient hospice, setting an initial fundraising target of $3.8 million. So far, the organization has secured $250,000 in seed funding to kickstart the project, though leadership warns that final construction costs could climb higher amid sustained regional inflation and rising building material prices.

    BACA Chairperson Jessica Odle-Baril shared details of the plan in an interview with Barbados TODAY, explaining that the original preliminary estimate for the build was $3.8 million, drawn from standard construction calculations for a facility of that size. But persistent monthly increases in local construction costs have cast uncertainty over the final budget, with Odle-Baril noting that projections could shift as the project moves forward. “We started with a $3 million baseline based on average square footage for a 14-bed facility, but building costs in Barbados keep going up every month,” she said. “Our accountant will adjust the final figure once all inputs are calculated, and I’m hopeful we won’t need to push the target as high as $5 million.” The $3.8 million target currently in place only covers construction of the physical building shell, not full interior outfitting and medical equipment. Odle-Baril explained that the organization has already secured key donations of medical equipment, including two hospital beds and a cutting-edge modern wheelchair, which will be allocated to the facility once construction is complete. These donations are not included in the current fundraising target, as the group’s immediate priority is raising enough capital to break ground on the structure.

    The project timeline also faces headwinds from tight labour market conditions currently impacting Barbados’ booming construction sector. Odle-Baril noted that high demand for skilled construction workers across the island means the build will likely take at least two years to complete, with the organization targeting a groundbreaking at the start of the coming year. Alongside navigating construction challenges, the organization has recently undergone leadership changes to accelerate fundraising efforts. Odle-Baril confirmed that BACA’s co-chairman recently passed away from cancer while receiving treatment in the United States. In his place, the group has added two new trustees, bringing fresh energy and new strategic perspectives to expand fundraising channels and speed up the capital campaign.

    Right now, palliative and end-of-life care for most terminally ill Barbadian patients is delivered through in-home services run by the partner organization the Barbados Association for Palliative Care, which is chaired by Deiann Sobers, who also serves as a trustee on BACA’s board. Odle-Baril emphasized that BACA fully supports the work of the in-home care program, and the existing network of partner groups is already meeting immediate patient needs while the hospice is being developed, including lending donated equipment like hospital beds to families currently caring for loved ones at home.

    However, in-home care is not a sustainable or accessible solution for all families, Odle-Baril stressed. While most patients express a preference to pass away at home, many households lack the physical space to accommodate medical equipment like hospital beds, and 24/7 private in-home palliative care is financially out of reach for most families. A dedicated inpatient hospice solves both problems: care costs are spread across multiple patients, the facility relies heavily on volunteer staff to keep overhead low, and all patients have access to the space and specialized support they need to remain comfortable in their final days.

    Beyond the new hospice build, BACA is also launching a broader patient mapping initiative to assess gaps in cancer care across Barbados’ public health system, including the specialized cancer wards at the country’s main Queen Elizabeth Hospital. The project will track the full care journey of patients to identify bottlenecks and unmet needs, from diagnosis through end-of-life care. Odle-Baril noted that public health services often face delays accessing critical supplies and services due to fixed budget constraints, not negligence, and the mapping data will help the organization advocate for targeted improvements to support patient comfort and outcomes.

    The group is also working to expand support for cancer survivors, who often face long-term physical side effects from aggressive life-saving treatments like chemotherapy. Odle-Baril highlighted that many survivors struggle to adjust to post-treatment bodily changes, and BACA aims to raise public awareness that recovery is possible and help survivors access the ongoing support they need to regain quality of life.

  • NIS must not push around the public- Finance Minster

    NIS must not push around the public- Finance Minster

    GEORGETOWN, Guyana – September 16, 2026 – Speaking at a commemorative session marking the 57th founding anniversary of Guyana’s National Insurance Scheme (NIS) at Herdmanston Lodge on Wednesday, Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh has called for an urgent overhaul of customer service standards at the country’s primary social security agency, demanding an end to the longstanding practice of redirecting members of the public between branches and ignoring pending queries.

    Founded in 1969, just three years after Guyana secured full independence from British colonial rule, the NIS has long served as the backbone of the country’s social safety net for retirees and benefit claimants. Dr. Singh opened his address by honoring the vision of the agency’s original architects, but pulled no punches in criticizing remaining gaps in frontline service delivery. “This kind of conduct is simply unacceptable: being rude, uncooperative, or unhelpful, pushing people from pillar to post and telling them ‘we cannot locate your records, come back next week,’” he told attendees.

    Dr. Singh urged NIS employees to put themselves in the shoes of the pensioners and benefit claimants who rely on the agency for critical financial support. He noted that while NIS General Manager Holly Greaves has already made significant progress in addressing customer service complaints, the small share of poor experiences that persist have no place in a well-functioning public service. “It is true that complaints of this nature have dropped dramatically in recent months, but they have not been rooted out entirely. That end goal is what we must work toward,” he emphasized.

    The Finance Minister was careful to balance criticism with praise for the agency’s overall performance, confirming that more than 60,000 NIS pensioners currently receive their monthly benefit payments on schedule. Even so, he acknowledged that a small minority of claimants still face delays, stressing that their frustration is entirely justified. “We cannot fault people for being upset when they do not receive the benefits they have paid into and are entitled to on time,” he said. “The public is right to expect reliable, consistent service from this institution.”

    Per a directive from President Irfaan Ali, Dr. Singh told NIS leadership and staff that all members of the public approaching the agency deserve sensitive, caring, and compassionate interaction. “I publicly recognize and congratulate the entire NIS team for the major strides that have already been made to improve service delivery. But that progress does not mean we can stop working – we must keep pushing until all bad service experiences are eliminated,” he added.

    Beyond frontline customer service, Dr. Singh also outlined three key procedural improvements the NIS must prioritize. First, he urged all NIS contributors to proactively review their contribution records regularly, rather than waiting until they approach retirement age, when former employers may have ceased operations and historical records can no longer be verified. Second, he reminded all Guyanese employers of their legal obligation to maintain accurate contribution records for their workers, a requirement that avoids triggering costly investigations and potential prosecution for non-compliance. Finally, he reaffirmed the NIS’s ongoing responsibility to provide employers with annual end-of-year statements clearly detailing all employees for whom contributions have been submitted, as well as the total value of contributions paid.

  • ABFA Representatives Attend 2026 Concacaf Professional Football Development Seminar in Dominican Republic*

    ABFA Representatives Attend 2026 Concacaf Professional Football Development Seminar in Dominican Republic*

    The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf) is hosting its 2026 Professional Football Development Seminar this week, bringing together football administrative leaders from across the region to advance professionalization of the sport. The two-day event, being held September 16 to 17 in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic, draws Club Licensing Managers and League Directors from all 41 of Concacaf’s Member Associations, and the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association (ABFA) is among the participating governing bodies.

    Representing ABFA at the forum are Portia Davis, the association’s Club Licensing Manager, and Gershum Phillips, League Director for Antigua and Barbuda’s Men’s Top Division League. Designed as a collaborative knowledge-sharing and capacity-building platform, the seminar delivers targeted, up-to-date guidance on core issues shaping modern professional football across the Caribbean and North American region.

    The agenda for this year’s gathering covers a wide range of high-priority topics for member associations. Attendees are walking through a detailed review of existing implementation strategies for Concacaf’s Club Licensing Regulations, with clear breakdowns of mandated timelines and key performance benchmarks that associations are expected to meet. The program also includes official updates on upcoming club competitions organized by Concacaf, as well as open sessions for cross-regional sharing of proven best practices for both club licensing frameworks and day-to-day league operations. Additionally, delegates will receive a comprehensive walkthrough of the new and existing digital tools Concacaf has developed to streamline licensing and regulatory implementation processes.

    For ABFA, this participation is more than a routine attendance—it is a deliberate demonstration of the governing body’s ongoing commitment to elevating domestic football. The association is working continuously to strengthen its national club licensing system and bring its league operations fully in line with the global standards set by both Concacaf and FIFA, the sport’s global governing body.

    This commitment comes on the heels of a notable recent win for ABFA: for the second year in a row, multiple domestic clubs from Antigua and Barbuda have successfully attained official Domestic Club Licences, a milestone that reflects progress in the association’s ongoing reform efforts. Ahead of the seminar’s conclusion, ABFA has publicly expressed its well wishes for Davis and Phillips, noting that the governing body is eager to integrate key takeaways and new strategies from the event into its ongoing work to grow and improve football across Antigua and Barbuda.

  • Could Belize Eventually Power Itself?

    Could Belize Eventually Power Itself?

    In a major policy announcement delivered during his 2026 State of the Nation Address, Prime Minister John Briceño has outlined Belize’s bold strategy to achieve greater energy independence by rapidly scaling up domestic renewable power generation. The initiative comes in response to a recently declared national energy emergency, which cleared the way for Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) to partner with local investors and accelerate the rollout of utility-scale solar infrastructure paired with grid-scale battery storage. Briceño confirmed that the first phase of the project will deliver approximately 30 megawatts of new solar generating capacity, backed by five-hour duration battery storage, with all installations scheduled for completion by June 2027. Looking beyond the near-term target, the government has set a long-term national goal to develop 120 megawatts of solar generation across the country alongside 40 megawatts of battery storage capacity. The core motivation behind this expansion is to reduce Belize’s longstanding dependence on imported electricity, a vulnerability that has been exposed during periods when neighboring Mexico, the country’s primary foreign energy supplier, is unable to meet Belize’s peak demand. Dr. Leroy Almendarez, Chief Executive Officer of Belize’s Ministry of Public Utilities, emphasized that the push for domestic generation does not signal a break from the existing energy relationship with Mexico. Mexico will remain a key, trusted supplier of electricity to Belize for the foreseeable future, he clarified. As part of its broader effort to diversify energy security options, Belize is currently conducting a pre-feasibility study to assess whether a new power grid interconnection with neighboring Guatemala would be practical, reliable, and cost-effective. Dr. Almendarez stressed that the study itself does not commit Belize to moving forward with electricity purchases from Guatemala, noting that any cross-border interconnection project requires rigorous upfront analysis to confirm consistent reliability, manageable costs, and alignment with national interests. This standard process of due diligence was followed when Belize established its current interconnection with Mexico, he added, and it is only reasonable to apply the same careful evaluation to any new potential partnership. In the most ambitious long-term vision for the country’s energy sector, Belize aims to eventually generate enough domestically produced electricity to fully meet domestic demand, and even export excess power through SIEPAC, the Central American regional interconnected electricity network. This shift would not only strengthen Belize’s energy resilience but also position it as a regional contributor to renewable power trade, supporting broader decarbonization goals across Central America.

  • Berbice Bridge sold to govt

    Berbice Bridge sold to govt

    On Wednesday, 16 September 2026, former board chairman of Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI) Paul Cheong confirmed that the private firm has completed the winding up of all its operations, and the iconic Berbice River crossing has been formally sold to the Government of Guyana for a total purchase price of GY$400 million.

    Speaking exclusively to Demerara Waves Online News, Cheong confirmed that the full transaction has been settled: “It has been handed over to government,” he said, adding that the state had already transferred the full GY$400 million payment to the relevant stakeholders by Wednesday afternoon.

    An industry source with direct knowledge of the transition, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Demerara Waves that day-to-day management, operations and maintenance of the bridge will now fall under the purview of Guyana’s Ministry of Public Works. Notably, most former employees of BBCI will remain in their roles to continue serving bridge users under the new public ownership structure.

    The confirmation of the completed sale comes just days after official notices related to the wind-down were published in Guyana’s Official Gazette. These filings outline the timeline of the decision to wind up BBCI: in documents published 12 September, BBCI Secretary Amarnauth Singh revealed that company members approved a special formal resolution on 21 August 2026 to dissolve the firm, with the wind-up process officially commencing on that date. A second separate notice, dated 4 September, announced that chartered accountant Raan Motilall had been appointed as liquidator to oversee the winding up of the company’s assets and liabilities.

    The acquisition of the existing bridge aligns with broader infrastructure plans the Guyanese government has already made public. The administration has previously announced it will construct a new four-lane Berbice River bridge at an alternative site in the coming years, a project designed to accommodate growing cross-river traffic driven by Guyana’s rapid economic expansion in recent years.

    First opened to traffic in 2008, the existing 1.57-kilometre Berbice Bridge was originally built at a total cost of GY$8 billion. One of the largest private infrastructure projects in Guyana at the time of its development, the National Insurance Scheme was counted among BBCI’s major institutional shareholders for the entirety of the bridge’s period of private operation.

  • Ozone Day Scholarships: Twelve Students, One Timely Skills Gap

    Ozone Day Scholarships: Twelve Students, One Timely Skills Gap

    To mark the 2026 International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, the Government of Belize’s Department of the Environment (DOE) has awarded full scholarships to 12 aspiring refrigeration and air conditioning technicians from three of the country’s districts. Launched through the DOE’s National Ozone Unit on September 16, the scholarship initiative directly supports Belize’s national commitment to phase out ozone-depleting chemicals, aligning with decades of global climate and environmental action.

    Recipients of the awards are currently enrolled at ITVET campuses located in Belize City, Orange Walk, and Stann Creek. Each scholarship provides comprehensive coverage for an entire academic year of tuition, and also includes a complete toolkit of routine servicing equipment and full personal protective gear for students entering the field. Notably, three of the 12 selected scholars are women, a milestone in a skilled trade that has historically been overwhelmingly male-dominated, according to DOE data.

    The timing of the scholarship announcement is no coincidence. September 16 marks the annual commemoration of the signing of the 1987 Montreal Protocol, the landmark global treaty that established binding commitments to phase out production and use of man-made chemicals proven to damage the Earth’s protective ozone layer. This year’s global theme for Ozone Day, “Global Action for a Cooler Planet,” highlights 10 years of progress under the Kigali Amendment, the 2016 addition to the original protocol that targets the phase-out of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), potent greenhouse gases commonly used in cooling systems.

    Refrigeration and air conditioning technicians play a critical frontline role in achieving these global and national targets. Safe handling of existing ozone-depleting and high-emission cooling gases, paired with the skilled transition to newer, low-global-warming alternative refrigerants, is essential for Belize to meet its legally binding obligations under the Montreal Protocol and Kigali Amendment. It also addresses a growing skills gap in the country’s sustainable cooling sector, as the nation scales up its phase-out efforts.

    “These twelve students represent an investment in the future of Belize’s cooling sector,” said Anthony Mai, Chief Environmental Officer at Belize’s DOE. “By providing training and tools now, we are building a profession that protects both people and the environment.”

    The scholarship program is financed through Belize’s national HCFC Phase-out Management Plan, with financial backing from the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol, an international financial mechanism established to support developing countries in meeting their protocol obligations.

  • Urgent Blood Donation Appeal for Tehvorney Jeffers in ICU

    Urgent Blood Donation Appeal for Tehvorney Jeffers in ICU

    Health authorities in Antigua have issued a pressing public appeal for voluntary blood donations to support Tehvorney Jeffers, a patient currently battling critical illness in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the island nation’s leading public hospital, Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre. Unlike many targeted blood drives that seek out specific rare blood types, organizers of this appeal are welcoming donors of all blood groups to step forward, as any healthy donation can help expand the hospital’s blood supply and meet Jeffers’ ongoing transfusion needs throughout his intensive care treatment. Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre, the primary public healthcare facility for Antigua, hosts a fully operational Adult Intensive Care Unit and manages all of the island’s in-hospital blood processing, matching, and transfusion services. Hospital representatives emphasized that timely community donations are the only reliable source of blood for emergency cases like Jeffers’, as the facility does not maintain a large surplus stock for unexpected critical care needs. The appeal has been amplified across local community networks, urging any eligible member of the public in good health who is able to donate to contact the hospital’s blood services department as soon as possible to contribute to Jeffers’ life-saving treatment.

  • Maximus, Branch shine in PM Cup openers

    Maximus, Branch shine in PM Cup openers

    The opening round of the 202X Prime Minister’s Cup Group B fixtures delivered two compelling matches on a rain-soaked Tuesday night, with standout individual performances carrying both Ivy Rovers and Brittons Hill United to convincing wins over their respective opponents.

    At the Friendship Playing Field in St Michael, Jarad Maximus emerged as the undisputed star of the night, netting a hat-trick to anchor Ivy Rovers to a dominant 4-1 triumph over Pinelands. The striker got his side’s campaign off to a flying start just 10 minutes in, converting a clinical penalty to put Ivy Rovers in front. The lead doubled 18 minutes later, when Jamario Nichols finished a well-crafted team attack inside the 18-yard box, capitalizing on excellent build-up play from Rovers’ right wing that split Pinelands’ defensive shape.

    Maximus notched his second of the night before halftime, capping a dynamic first-half display that would ultimately earn him Player-of-the-Match honors. The wet, slippery pitch and persistent heavy rain created difficult conditions that challenged Pinelands’ backline throughout the second half, and it was this defensive disorganization that allowed Riviera Cottle to stretch Rovers’ advantage to 3-0 in the second period. Pinelands managed a late consolation in the 88th minute, when Lamar Scantlebury got on the end of a long clearance over the top of Rovers’ defense and nodded home past the goalkeeper. But any hopes of a late comeback were snuffed out in the fourth minute of stoppage time, when a Pinelands defensive mistake left Maximus unmarked in space. He slotted home calmly to complete his hat-trick, securing a three-goal winning margin for Ivy Rovers.

    Speaking to reporters after the final whistle, Maximus said he had come into the match prepared for the physical test of tournament football. “I knew it would be a physical game, so I just listened to the coach, did what I had to do and finished the ball,” he said. “Moving forward you can expect more from me – taking on players and trying to help my teammates to raise their level as well. I know how it feels to go all the way to the final, so I believe that my team can go far and we’re going to try our best.”

    In the late-night second fixture of the evening, substitute Jalen Branch delivered a moment of magic, scoring two late goals to carry Brittons Hill United to a 2-0 shutout win over St Andrew Lions. A large contingent of Brittons Hill fans braved steady heavy showers to cheer on their side, and they were rewarded in the 73rd minute when Branch broke the game’s deadlock. T’shane Lorde produced a brilliant piece of skill to create space down the left wing before delivering a pinpoint cross into the six-yard box, where Branch was waiting to tap home from close range.

    With St Andrew Lions pushing forward aggressively in stoppage time, throwing bodies forward to find an equalizer, they left their defensive line exposed high up the pitch. Branch took advantage in the 91st minute, shaking off the marking of two Lions center backs before hitting a perfectly judged lob from distance that sailed over the out-of-position goalkeeper and into the back of the net. The goal secured all three points for Brittons Hill.

    A delighted Branch noted after the match that he prides himself on being able to make an immediate impact off the bench. “I just need five minutes and I can give the team something for sure,” he said. “In the build up to the competition I did a lot of physical work with the coaches trying to get fit, but I am still not 100 per cent there. I think we can go all the way to the finals again like we did before. I was not in the team back then, but now I am here to help.”

  • Cabinet Rejects Several NTUCB Demands, Offers Alternatives

    Cabinet Rejects Several NTUCB Demands, Offers Alternatives

    On September 16, 2026, Belize’s Cabinet issued an official response to 11 policy and governance demands tabled by the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB), rejecting several key proposals while laying out structured timelines for ongoing negotiations and incremental policy progress on other union priorities.

    Among the most high-profile demands put forward by the NTUCB was the removal of Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) Chairman Markhelm Lizarraga and all government-appointed BTL board members. Cabinet officials have flatly turned down this request, noting that there is no legal grounding under Belize’s existing company law to justify the dismissals. The government further pushed back on the union’s rationale, pointing out that BTL posted record-breaking profits in its most recent financial cycle, and the termination of the proposed Speednet acquisition does not constitute a reasonable or legal cause to remove the board.

    Two other BTL-related proposals from the union were also rejected: the creation of a new tripartite governance structure for the telecommunications provider, and a full restructuring of the Public Utilities Commission (PUC). Cabinet explained that union representation on BTL’s oversight is already secured through a seat on the Belize Social Security Board, while the PUC’s status as an independent autonomous body means restructuring is not justified under current governance frameworks.

    On the NTUCB’s request for a dedicated liaison embedded within the Office of the Prime Minister, Cabinet offered a compromise: it welcomed deeper collaboration with the Joint Unions Negotiating Team (JUNT) and has proposed holding formal quarterly consultation meetings with NTUCB leadership moving forward.

    Cabinet confirmed measurable progress on several reform priorities the union has pushed for. The final draft of the long-awaited Protected Disclosures Bill has already been circulated to both the NTUCB and the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry for stakeholder review, with a formal consultation meeting scheduled for October 22. Work on new campaign finance legislation is also underway: drafting is complete enough that the bill is on track to be submitted to Cabinet for official review by December 8, 2026.

    Additionally, the government is moving forward with establishing the Civil Recovery Authority Unit (CARU) within the Financial Intelligence Unit, a body mandated under the 2023 Civil Asset Recovery and Unexplained Wealth Act to target illicitly obtained assets. Progress is also being made on filling the long-vacant Ombudsman post: the Ombudsman Reports Committee is expected to submit candidate nominations soon, before a final appointment resolution is introduced to the Senate for approval.

    One demand that was firmly rejected was the NTUCB’s call to withdraw the 2026 Revenue Authority Bill. Cabinet reaffirmed the government’s commitment to launching a semi-autonomous national revenue authority, but noted that officials will continue working closely with the Public Service Union and Tax Department staff to address workforce concerns during the transition period.

    On educator-specific demands raised through the NTUCB, Cabinet has agreed to hold further negotiations around two key issues: additional pay for teacher duties required in August, and a proposed new classroom resource allowance. For the University of Belize, the government highlighted a steady increase in annual public subvention, which has grown from $7.6 million in 2020 to $10 million in 2026. It has also made a formal commitment to raise the subvention by $1 million annually starting in 2027, until the annual allocation reaches $15 million. The government added that the new Financial Assistance Program Policy, launched in June 2026, has already created a standardized, transparent process for grants, scholarships, and stipends, addressing longstanding calls for reform from the University of Belize Faculty and Staff Union (UBFSU).

    In closing, Cabinet acknowledged that it could not accommodate every demand put forward by the NTUCB, but emphasized that the government remains fully committed to open consultation and continued productive engagement with the union confederation on shared priorities for Belize.