CABINET PRESENTS APPROVALS

October 25, 2007

Cabinet has approved the signing of a Statutory Instrument by the Minister of Transport Jose Coye, making regulations to prohibit the use of a motor vehicle on a public road if its windscreen, or any of its windows is tinted, or otherwise treated, in a way that is likely to impede sight, from outside the vehicle, of a person or thing inside the vehicle. It shall be lawful for a police officer or a transport officer to impound a vehicle used contrary to these regulations.

Cabinet has agreed to open the Commercial Free Zone at Corozal on November 17 and December 15 to allow Belizeans to shop in the Zone. Cigarettes and liquor will not be allowed, and customs duties will have to be paid on purchases.

Cabinet has also approved an increase in the minimum Government pension for retired Public Officers by 10 percent. The Pensions’ Act will be amended to reflect this decision.

Cabinet has been advised that the Belize Social Security Board has agreed to increase the non-contributory pension for women over 65 years old who qualify for the pension, to 100 dollars per month, and they are considering extending the programme to men over 67 years old, to take effect on December 1, 2007.

The Prime Minister informed Cabinet that Government has worked out with the Development Finance Corporation an agreement to reduce by 100 dollars per month re-payments in respect of low income housing loans which are current. A similar arrangement is being considered by the Social Security Board to reduce re-payments on current housing loans to 200 dollars and 250 dollars per month.

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