By Zoila Palma: The Ministry of Economic Transformation has established bi-monthly stakeholder meetings aimed at boosting transparency, coordination, and efficiency across Belize’s sugar industry, as preparations intensify for the 2026 crop season scheduled to begin on January 19.
The decision followed a meeting convened by Minister of State Dr. Osmond Martinez with key stakeholders from the northern sugarcane sector, supported by Ministry CEO Carlos Pol and Senior Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister, Dr. Marcelino Avila.
The regular meetings will be held at the Sugar Industry Control Board (SICB) Conference Room in Buena Vista, Corozal, and will bring together representatives from the SICB, Sugar Industry Research and Development Institute (SIRDI), Belize Sugar Industries/American Sugar Refining (BSI/ASR), the Sugar Cane Production Committee, and the four recognized cane farmers’ associations. The initiative is intended to provide a permanent platform for joint decision-making and open dialogue throughout the crop season.
Addressing the first stakeholder meeting of 2026, Dr. Martinez said the government is committed to fostering a resilient, competitive, and farmer-focused sugar industry.
He noted that the bi-monthly meetings will allow stakeholders to monitor progress, address emerging challenges, and ensure alignment among farmers, the mill, and regulatory bodies.
During discussions, BSI/ASR confirmed plans to begin steam trials on January 9, 2026, while participants also reviewed ongoing support measures, including the fuel subsidy and the waiver of licenses for sugarcane transport units.
The meeting also focused on the condition of sugar roads, identified as critical to the timely delivery of cane during harvest. Stakeholders agreed to establish a technical committee to work with the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing on road maintenance, with Dr. Martinez set to lead a field visit on January 12 to assess priority areas.
The next coordination meeting is scheduled for January 16, formalizing the bi-monthly schedule intended to improve responsiveness to logistical and weather challenges and deliver tangible benefits to cane farmers and the wider industry.
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By Zoila Palma: The Ministry of Economic Transformation has established bi-monthly stakeholder meetings aimed at boosting transparency, coordination, and efficiency across Belize’s sugar industry, as preparations intensify for the 2026 crop season scheduled to begin on January 19. The decision followed a meeting convened by Minister of State Dr. Osmond Martinez with key stakeholders from
The post Ministry of Economic Transformation establishes bi-monthly meetings to boost transparency and efficiency in sugar industry appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
