The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), at a Special General Meeting on March 3, 2020, overwhelmingly passed three resolutions with amendments that will have direct impact on governance and the conduct of elected representatives. The BCCI insists that a Campaign Finance Bill be urgently introduced to the Senate, that a thorough investigation be done to follow up on evidence presented in the United States v Dermen case in Utah, and that the implementation of e-government is expedited so that the performance of essential government departments improves.

In its first resolution the members of the BCCI said it resolves: “That the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) recommits and mandates the BCCI Secretariat to take every practical and appropriate measure, including collaborating with Government authorities where necessary, to ensure the expedited implementation of e-government in Belize, with special emphasis and urgency being placed on essential registries including, but not limited to, the Vital Statistics Unit, the Companies Registry and the Lands Registry.”

In its second resolution the BCCI said it “demands that the appropriate government authorities including but not limited to the FIU, the Integrity Commission and the Police Department, immediately launch an investigation into any possible violation of the laws of Belize by Ministers and other public officials arising from the evidence presented in the United States v Dermen case, and demands that the Attorney General immediately request assistance under the MLAT in obtaining, inter alia, copies of the relevant documents and records, and any other assistance as would be practically required by all relevant authorities to conduct a full investigation into the allegations raised against individuals, failing which the BCCI shall employ the appropriate legal recourses to ensure that any unreasonable failure to act is remedied in a manner consistent with Belize’s Constitution and laws.”

And in the third resolution the BCCI said it “commits to employing the Private Bill provision as enshrined in section 76 of the Standing Orders of the Senate to urgently introduce a Campaign Finance Bill, as well as to take any such actions deemed beneficial to achieving this objective.”

Feature photo: Mr. Nikita Usher, President, BCCI