Permits and licenses issued by DOE will now be done using web-based application

Importers and exporters of commodities that are regulated by the Environmental Protection Act will now be facilitated using an online application process in their effort to obtain their relevant licenses since the Department of the Environment (DOE), with the assistance of the Government of Belize’s Central Information Technology Office (CITO), has developed an Online Permits, Applications and Licenses (OPAL) System.

In a press release issued today, the DOE – which is authorized under the Laws of Belize to issue permits/licenses for the importation and exportation of certain goods – announced that OPAL is a web-based application which was developed for the purpose of issuing permits/licenses for the import and export of scrap metal, used tires, lead-acid batteries, ozone depleting substances/halogenated gases, refrigeration/air conditioning equipment and petroleum products, among others, and should be used by all persons or companies applying for any of these items/commodities.

The release added that the DOE will be working along with the Customs Department and the OPAL system will be used in line with ASYCUDA WORLD, which is the Customs Department’s online system, to ensure the proper vetting of imported and exported items/commodities and improve on the current importation and exportation process of the abovementioned items/commodities.

The DOE stated that the new online licensing system will eliminate the need to physically visit their Belmopan office to apply for a license since applicants will be provided with an electronic license.

According to the DOE, both the OPAL system and the ASYCUDA WORLD are coming on-stream in the next few weeks and those who wish to apply for a license will be able to do so using any mobile device with internet connection since it is a web-based service.