From the Chatham Address on Dec. 03, 2003 by the
PM, speaking of world trade policies:

"And what effect do these policies have on
countries like Belize? In 1995, when the WTO was
born, we got US$ 282.00 per ton of Sugar; today
we get US$ 146.00; then, we were paid $ 9.15 for
a box of bananas exported to the European Union;
today its $6,50; citrus fetched US $1.15 per
pound solid; today we get 84 cents.

Even the growing new industries of
diversification, on which we place such high
hopes, like shrimp farming, are affected: in 1999
we were paid $5.50 per pound; today that's fallen
to $3.09. Meanwhile all the necessary inputs for
producing these goods, like petroleum, machinery,
fertilizers, have increased in price. And you
know what they do to us when we try to enter new
areas like financial services: they accuse us of
unfair competition and threaten sanctions! How
are we supposed to eradicate poverty like that?

Many countries in the Caribbean are worse off
than we are, as are many others in the world.
Some 3 billion people live on less than $2.00 per
day. The World Bank has determined that in Latin
America and the Caribbean, the number of people
living on that paltry sum increased by 14 million
between 1987 and 1998. Meanwhile, in Europe each
cow gets more than $2.50 per day in state
subsidies, while millions of people in the world
die of hunger and preventable diseases. You have
to wonder who's mad: the cows or the system that
produces these contridictions."

Just shows how big countries and Globalization affect smaller economies. Its all so sad

It doesn't!

In 1995 Belize had a population of 215,000, now 266,440; that's a growth of 24%, while the US population had a growth in the same period of 10%.

The gross domestic product per capita in 1995 was US$2,364, now US$4,900 that's an increase of 100.7%, while the US gross domestic product per capita had an increase in the same period of 55%.

It's nice to complain about details, but we have to keep whole picture in mind!!

Short

Yeh thats very true, and I was just referring to those items mentioned. Global economies have grown, but in differnt sectors. From agricultural standpoint it has not but from Tech and Investments yes. The Dow might break the record this year (just a side note)

Very true Sundinrocks,

At first sight I don't agree with the policy of WTO (other countries - and I can name a few - have a quite different economic impact) , then again, I don't have all the inside decision making info (and I am glad to - that's why we have those thinkers - not that I blindly agree with their analysis - I tend to be very critical).

But... I don't think it's suitable for Belize to complain - although politically it scores points - to complain as a third world country.

What is said here is true for other countries, but not for Belize - just my opinion of course (=disclaimer).

Short

Short-

Exactly the policy at a glance doesnt seem like anything worth of economic merit. Like you said some countries benefit and some dont.

Political points are definatly a factor, the more you complain the more funding you get from outside. (not all situations but many)

Shouldnt the world economy be balenced by both the big and small countries and also in respect to Tech and Industry?

BTW you can call me Mike, I just forgot to put my name before