BELMOPAN, Fri. June 18, 2021– Today, Friday, June 18, the Minister of the Blue Economy and Civil Aviation, Hon. Andre Perez, met with the Ambassador of Guatemala to Belize, H.E. Rudy Archila Falla, and Minister-Counselor Denis Ortiz in Belize City for a discussion on initiatives to bolster the neighbouring countries’ economies through sustainable development and other joint efforts.
Hon. Perez explained to the Guatemalan ambassador his ministry’s mission to increase Belize’s gross domestic product through science-based management of Belize’s aquatic resources. He emphasized that his ministry’s principal aim is improving the overall livelihood of all Belizeans through sustainable development. H.E. Falla then remarked on how welcomed he felt in Belize — going so far as to state, “It feels like home.”
The discussion between Minister Perez and the Guatemalan ambassador is part of an ongoing effort to improve relations between the two neighbouring countries.
In the year 2021, Belize and Guatemala have initiated various collaborative projects, including a joint Toledo Institute for Development and Environment (TIDE) – and a Foundation for Ecodevelopment and Conservation (FUNDAECO) research project on the Cayman Crown.
Additionally, the Prime Minister of Belize, Hon. John Briceño, recently visited Guatemala and met with the Guatemalan president, H.E. Alejandro Giammattei Falla. The two leaders reportedly discussed economic challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.