A movement known as the National Recovery Strategy has been tabled to the National Oversight Committee at a meeting held on Monday, June 29th, by the Belize Network of Non-Governmental Organizations (BNN). The economic recovery plan is the outcome of consultations with BNN’s membership, as well as recommendations from experts in economics, health, education, agriculture, tourism, and risk and crisis management.
COVID-19 has affected the economic sector in the country since March of this year, and its revival is uncertain. According to an official note released by the BNN, it is imperative that Belize moves towards a multi-disciplinary and integrated approach in national planning as well as addressing the root of perennial challenges. This includes poverty and corruption. BNN recommends an economic recovery, outlining steps that can be taken to enhance Belize’s agricultural sector and food security, along with the strengthening of the national health system. At the same time, the country’s education institutions must adapt to meet student needs.
BNN’s Chair, Froyla Tzalam (left), stated that they recognize that many of the recommendations are not new, and they just need to get done. “The time is now,” she said. Some of the recommendations include providing a strong, clear value proposition with the psychosocial well-being of the visitor as a critical element. BNN believes that the value proposition Belize puts out to the market should be an offer that tourists find extremely attractive to kick start the tourism industry. The proposal also seeks the digitization of tourism to create and promote immersive virtual experiences.
The Non-Governmental Organization calls on the current administration and Cabinet to endorse the National Recovery Strategy and present it as a plan of action before the nation. Senator Osmany Salas (right), who is part of the BNN, said that since there has been no concrete economic recovery plan, they decided to create their own and share it with Central Government. Salas said that they found that the government is compiling recommendations from the different sectors across the country and is expected to present a comprehensive plan next week. According to Salas, BNN’s proposals are expected to be part of said plan of action to recover the economy and better Belizeans’ lives.
Faced with the unprecedented crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic, Belize’s economic vulnerability was revealed. BNN believes that by taking this opportunity to institutionalize lessons learned and address gaps in the economy and health sector especially, Belize will be in a better position to ensure that economic and developmental gains achieved at this time are not lost due to the pandemic.
You can read BNN’s detailed recommendation document HERE.
