BELMOPAN, Wed. July 14, 2021– A Cabinet brief was issued to the public late this evening. The release stated that an update was provided to the Cabinet by the Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Jose Mai, who informed his collogues that his meetings with the Secretary of Agriculture of Mexico, Dr. Victor Arambula, were a success and covered a number of issues.

The release noted that the two countries are poised to restart the exportation of shrimp from Belize to Mexico and to increase the amount of cattle exported to Mexico. The countries are also aiming to collaborate in the production of soybeans, pitaya, and soursop. They also discussed additional support for the coconut and citrus industries, the Cabinet brief said.

Also mentioned in the brief was the progress that has been made in the Ministry of Health and Wellness’ vaccination efforts. According to the release, Health Minister Michel Chebat informed his colleagues at the Cabinet meeting that 107,617 persons, or 25% of our population, have received at least their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. Approximately 39,263 persons in the country, or 9% of the country’s population, have been fully vaccinated. Minister Chebat also noted that during the first week of the relaunch of the vaccination campaign, 19,111 persons were vaccinated.

The release additionally stated that the three southern villages that are currently under lockdown (Barranco, Midway and Conejo) will remain so until the end of July. The Cabinet brief stated that the extension of the lockdown measures is a result of the emergence of a number of new cases of COVID-19 in those villages.

Cabinet also said that it approved a water system in San Antonio Village in Toledo as a means to meet the current water demand in the village.

Cabinet additionally mentioned that Minister of Tourism and Diaspora Relations, Hon. Anthony Mahler, has been selected to sign a revised Constitutive Agreement with the Mundo Maya Organization.

And lastly, Cabinet announced that it approved the Belize Intellectual Property Office’s adaptation of a Harmonized Database of acceptable goods and services.