Belize’s western border opens to heavy transport on Saturdays
by Orlando Pullido
SANTA ELENA, Cayo District, Mon. July 24, 2023
Belize and Guatemala have edged a bit closer because of trade agreements. Due to those increased trade relations, The Government of Belize has announced the opening of the Benque Viejo Border for cargo clearance on Saturdays, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Belize time) effective July 22, 2023.
Despite the rains, the cargo clearance services continued as scheduled on Saturday. A supervisor for the Belize Border Management gave us a tour of the facilities on Saturday, claiming that this recent move “… will help Belize’s economy.” At the time of our tour, we witnessed the entry of fuel trucks from Belize’s major energy companies arriving from Guatemala. Brokers were at the ready to process the documents from the truckers, and the processing continued uninterrupted.
This decision for the western border to open to heavy cargo on Saturdays originates from discussions with Belize’s National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC) which were aimed at the implementation of the 2014 suite of agreements that emerged from meetings held in Placencia between Belize and Guatemala. Even back then, the intent was to extend operating hours at the border.
The NTFC, inclusive of members such as the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry, welcomes the government’s support for this initiative, designed to enhance trade facilitation between the two countries.
A release from the Government of Belize Press Office notes that a key aspect of this development is the commitment from government border agencies to not impose additional fees for clearing goods during the new Saturday time slot. This commitment reflects the government’s dedication to supporting and facilitating trade for the private sector, ensuring a seamless and cost-effective process for businesses engaged in cross-border commerce and effectively reducing trade barriers.
To avoid delays, especially with the new operating hours, the government reminds the private sector that all exemption letters and licenses must be obtained before the arrival of goods at the border.
Previous research had shown that the busiest time at the western border was on Mondays. This was due to heavily loaded transport reaching the border on Fridays and having to wait all weekend until Mondays when the goods were to be cleared. A supervisor for the Belize Border Management has disclosed that previously Guatemalan truckers had to park in the cargo area at the western border for up to three days to wait for the clearing to be done.
Berisford Codd, a Trade Economist, told Amandala that the milestone at the border over the weekend is the result of an inter-ministerial and interagency approach. The NTFC, he says, is composed of the Directorate General for Foreign Trade, Customs and Excise Department, Bureau of Standards, and other partners.
“We want to encourage the private sector to use the service as much as possible to ensure that there are no backlogs at the border,” he said.
While the western border is opening for an extra day for cargo clearance, the same is not occurring at the northern border. For that to occur, clarifies Codd, an agreement will have to be secured diplomatically between Belize and Mexico. Codd also says that it also has to do with the demands from the private sector for that to occur.
Belize has maintained a Partial Scope Agreement with Guatemala since 2010. A note from the Directorate General for Foreign Trade website states that its objective is to strengthen the economic and political relations between Belize and Guatemala by facilitating, promoting, diversifying, and expanding trade in goods that fit the origin criteria outlined within the Agreement.
Berisford Codd added that work continues on the investment protocols in Guatemala. “Engagement has been much smoother between both countries,” said Codd. Such is the trade that Belize exported 22 million dollars’ worth of goods to Guatemala—a large portion being animal feed—in 2022. During that same time, Belize imported $296 million in goods from Guatemala – mostly iron, steel, plastics, cement, fuel, and fertilizers. Some of these imports are also coming from the rest of Central America, but traders are using Guatemala as a land route.
A note from the GoB Press Office also states that the Government of Belize reaffirms its commitment to advancing economic cooperation, fostering friendly relations with neighboring countries, and promoting a thriving and prosperous business environment.
Notably, staff from the Belize Border Management were allowing large cargo to reach their respective destinations at a much faster pace than is typical.