ORANGE WALK, Wed. June 23, 2021– The Belize Motor Vehicle Registration and License System has been discussed in the media for a number of years to date. The project was designed in collaboration with The Republic of China (Taiwan) with the aim of centralizing Belize’s Transport System and streamlining a number of services, including driver and vehicle licenses, vehicular registrations, traffic tickets, and revenue collection through the digitization of records and implementation of new auditing measures.

This week that vision came to fruition when the Ambassador of Taiwan, H.E. David Kuan-Chou Chen, handed over a new transport system at a ceremony held in Orange Walk which was attended by the Minister of Youth, Sports and E-Governance, Hon. Kevin Bernard, and Prime Minister Hon. John Briceño.

In addition to optimizing traffic systems, the Belize Motor Vehicle Licensing and Registration System (BMVRLS) will also serve to “strengthen the government’s ability to investigate vehicle theft, violation, tax evasion and traffic accidents,” according to a press release issued by the Government of Belize Press Office. This will be achieved through collaboration with several enforcement entities, such as the Police Department, Customs and Excise Department and the Magistrate’s Court.

During the handing-over ceremony, Hon. Kevin Bernard remarked, “The Ministry of Youth, Sports and E-Governance, through the E-Governance and Digitization Unit, is committed to support the Belize Motor and Vehicle Licensing and Registration project and the Department of Transport. This project highlights the opportunities that can be achieved through the digital realm.” Following the ceremony and during an interview with the media, the Minister also commented that the new system would be “making life easier for citizens” and that the Ministry seeks to achieve its mandate to digitize 95% of the GOB’s services.

Ambassador Chen also spoke on the impact the new system will have on the daily lives of Belizeans moving forward:

“Digital information technology is an inseparable part of the daily life of the global people. This E-Government project is aimed at improving the efficiency of the Government of Belize and providing the people of Belize with a more accessible, more convenient transport registration system.”

Also in attendance at the ceremony were the Minister of Public Utilities, Energy and Logistics, Hon. Rodwell Ferguson; the Mayor of Orange Walk, H.W. Ladrick Sheppard; CEO to the Ministry of Youth, Sports and E-Governance, Mr. Jose Urbina; and Chief Transport Officer, Ms. Dian Vasquez. Hon. John Briceño delivered the keynote address, during which he stated that “this is what we talk about when we say making life better for everybody. So that is a big step in effect that we are taking. We are showing our citizens how e-governance can change our lives and how it can make it better”.