April 30, 2012

Dear Editor,

As I write this letter, I am consciously thinking of the hundreds of students graduating from high school and university here in Toledo and have to go out-district to seek employment. This, in my perspective, is totally discouraging, given the wealth of talent, resources and potential our district offers.

I am calling on the Government of Belize to lobby with investors from abroad to come in our district and build enterprises that would generate employment for the youth and people of Toledo.

Tourism, oil, and rosewood have begun to bloom, but have faced its package of controversies due to the lack of proper procedures and education of the industry by the parties involved.

We need more employment opportunities with diversity being the ultimate goal. We need development of jobs in agriculture, agro processing, tourism, oil, forestry, fishery, education, and business to name a few.

There are hundreds of youth graduating from high school, tertiary and vocational institutions yearly yet there are minimal opportunities for employment. I believe the Government needs to open an “investor friendly” environment to attract potential investors who can build businesses and industries in the above mentioned areas.

Let’s look at agriculture; there are many people in the villages who plant fruits and vegetables to sell at the market in P.G. But then again, not all of their products are being sold out and they have to take it back, and sometimes it gets spoilt or so forth.

We need an agro processing industry in Toledo which can do canning and preserving of fruits and vegetables. This will greatly help to boost our economy here in Toledo. Toledo is a prime area for agriculture production and agro processing is an industry that will prove vital to our citizens of the rural areas.

Now, let’s look at forestry. This rosewood trade, which had and continues to have its clashes and controversies due to both the corruption in the industry and as well the miscommunications and lack of education about the issue by the people affected, is a very essential part of growth in Toledo.

However, there has to be sustainable trade in place. The Government and all affected parties must work together to create a level playing field to ensure “Maximum Benefit to the People of Toledo through Sustainable Trade of Rosewood.”

Let’s look at an upscale tourism industry. There are many youth who are venturing into tourism and its related activities. We need bigger resorts to step into the playing circle, like Belcampo, for example. The Government must create an avenue that would propel investor’s interest into creating first class resorts which can provide hundreds of jobs as receptionists, waiters, managers, chefs, gardeners, marketing, accounting and so much more. The youth and people of Toledo will then be able to earn an income and share their knowledge and experience while serving tourists from abroad.

Let’s look at oil. Although I am totally against offshore oil exploration, I believe that if there is potential for us to collectively and greatly benefit from the oil industry, then let us enjoy the pie now, rather than never at all. However, the decisions must be well informed and educated, and we must drill in a sustainable manner.

Our people and our country must benefit from this venture. Oil is money. Our country is in a dire financial state.We must have sustainable development in this oil industry.

These are just some of the ideas that come to mind. As I interview people from all walks of life in our weekly TV Shows, many of them share these same sentiments. We need development in Toledo. We need jobs. We need industries that will boost our economic situation here in Toledo. The Government must make every effort to lobby with investors and get the ball rolling.

It is indeed a fascinating approach for me to be taking this issue to a national medium.

Yours in developing the Toledo District,
Kenny Jacobs,
Executive Director of Teens Belize Organization and TV Host for Developing Toledo TV Show aired on PGTV