AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums Talk Belize Chat Area Chavez

Chavez recently accused Fox, Mexico's US-friendly president, of being a traitor to Latin America (and Mexicans) for siding with and promoting the US-led "Free Trade For The Americas." Chavez is right.

Yeah, Belize has a much better idea: don't let any other countries import beer, fruit juice, etc. so just ONE PERSON sells it. A monopoly is always such a good idea. That way us stupid consumers don't have to make a choice.

I would guess Belize has no problems with other countries importing beer?

If referring to corporations, such as Bowen & Bowen, I only applaud the Belize Government of today and the past. Buy in Belize = Build Belize, a developing country, not a world power. I'm sure the families in Ladyville would agree. (also goes for local producers in Cayo, Stann Creek, Toledo, Orange Walk and Corozal districts).

Cold Coors Light and USDA Beef or the guarantee of Belizean industries?

SIN

SIN said: "the guarantee of Belizean industries"

Hehehe.
:p

Support our nation...buy Belizean!

I agree, to a point. If your product is crap compared to what's available outside the country what's the incentive to improve and supply a better product which will in turn open up export markets. No incentive to improve, no expansion of the market and no creation of jobs. What about availability, if a local product isn't available for the better part of the year why should the consumer go without. Global bans are also a real problem, look at the fruit juice issue, since when does Belize make Cranberry juice?

It's a fine line that takes creative legislation to ensure that the consumer is happy and the manufacturer is motivated to provide a product that has more than just local appeal. The day that happens in Belize will be a great day for the country. Protectionism doesn't work over the long haul and is more damaging than an open market.

That doesn't mean I'm a free trade fan. US free trade means you have to buy US and if you want to sell there you're out of luck because all of the US interests have back door subsidies that ensure that they always come out on top.

I don't know if I like Chavez for what he's trying to accomplish or the fact that Bush can't stand him.

You can help our nation if you buy Belizean whenever you can.

I buy locally as much as possible, but wait til you can only get Mennonite cheese in Belize, see how patriotic you'll feel when you want to eat pizza. Even the Mennonites asked the Govt to raise taxes on imported cheeses, don't ban them, and reinvest those taxes in the developing dairy industry. We need experts (which we have plenty of) in the ministries, not political apppointees. Like Pappy Pena on the board of BAHA. I mean, what the hell is that? Even the people who are happy to benefit from Chavez's largesse think him messianic. But don't send Chavez a thank you note too soon-Esso doesn't want to give govt space to store the fuel coming from Venezuela. Keep an eye on who gets the deal to distribute the fuel, unless privitization has become a dirty word so close to elections.

When you can buy REAL peach, pear, strawberry, etc. juice produced in Belize I'll buy it. But banning juices and expecting people to buy fruit flavored sugar water instead is just plain stupid. I won't do it. I would pay more for a product that I WANT (as in import taxes that could be used to develop more businesses here in Belize) - just because you ban a product doesn't mean the consumer is going to buy a different and sometimes inferior product.

If the taxes are used to develop more businesses, is the key.

I also like a large selection of fruit juices (a small token of the larger picture) at the supermarket. But, I've yet to see juices that are not from concentrate. Big-H has a nice selection. Our Latin American neighbours also offer nice juices here in Belize.

I might consider drinking fresh squeezed OJ than opening the doors to US based free trade and globalization (modern day slavery).

Good point Katy, as always. I know we can both recall when Menonite cheese was about all we could get our hands on here.

SIN