Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697645522532.pdf (Belize)
BELIZE No.32/1/13 SENATE Friday, 30th August 2019 10:00 A.M. ---*--- ORDERS OF THE DAY 1.

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Prayers.

Oath of Allegiance or Affirmation.

Announcements by the President.

Bills brought from the House of Representatives.

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2.

Belize City Council (Municipal Paper) Bill, 2019.

National Liquefied Petroleum Gas Project Bill, 2019.

3.

Land Tax (Partial Remission of Arrears) Bill, 2019.
(Leader of Government Business and Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment, Sustainable Development and Immigration Services and Refugees) 6.

Papers.

62/1/13 - Social Security Board – Actuarial Performance Report for Year Ended 2018; Financial Statements Report for Years Ended 2018 and 2017.

63/1/13 - Central Bank of Belize – 2018 Annual Report and Statement of Accounts.

64/1/13 - Development Finance Corporation (DFC) - Annual Report for Year 2018.
(Leader of Government Business and Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment, Sustainable Development and Immigration Services and Refugees) 13.

Motions relating to the Business or Sittings of the Senate.

14.

Public Business.

2 A.

GOVERNMENT BUSINESS I MOTIONS (For Text of Motions see Notice Papers attached) 1.

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Resolution Authorizing the Ratification by Belize of the Agreement between the Government of Belize and the Government of the Republic of Estonia on Visa Requirement Exemption for Holders of Diplomatic Passports Motion, 2019.

Resolution Authorizing the Ratification by Belize of the Revised Agreement Establishing the Caribbean Examinations Council Motion, 2019.
Resolution Authorizing the Ratification by Belize of the Protocol on Public Procurement for the Caribbean Community Motion, 2019.

Resolution Authorizing the Ratification by Belize of the Protocol Amending the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas to Incorporate the Council for National Security and Law Enforcement as an Organ of the Community and the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security as an Institution of the Community Motion, 2019.
Inter-American Development Bank - Strengthening Tax Administration Project (US$14,000,000) Loan Motion, 2019.

Inter-American Development Bank - Contingent Loan for Natural Disaster Emergencies (US$10,000,000) Loan Motion, 2019.

Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) - Upgrading of the Corozal- Sarteneja Road and the Construction of the Pueblo Nuevo and Laguna Seca Bridges (US$50,000,000) Loan Motion, 2019.
(Leader of Government Business and Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment, Sustainable Development and Immigration Services and Refugees) BILLS FOR SECOND READING COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE SENATE ON MOTIONS AND BILLS BILLS FOR THIRD READING BELIZE No.32/1/13 3 SENATE Friday, 30th August 2019 10:00 A.M. ---*--- NOTICES OF QUESTIONS AND MOTIONS M O T I O N S 1.
Resolution Authorizing the Ratification by Belize of the Agreement between the Government of Belize and the Government of the Republic of Estonia on Visa Requirement Exemption for Holders of Diplomatic Passports Motion, 2019.
WHEREAS, the Agreement between the Government of Belize and the Government of the Republic of Estonia on Visa Requirement Exemption for Holders of Diplomatic Passports (hereafter “the Agreement”) was signed on 18 June 2019, in Brussels; AND WHEREAS, the objective of the Agreement is to permit any National of one Party, holding a valid diplomatic passport, visa-free travel on the territory of the other Party for a period of up to 90 days during a period of 180 days from the date of his/her first entry; AND WHEREAS, the Government of Belize is desirous of ratifying the Agreement pursuant to Article 9 of the Agreement; AND WHEREAS, section 61A(2)(a) of the Belize Constitution, as amended by the Belize Constitution (Sixth Amendment) Act (No.
13 of 2008), provides that the Senate shall authorize the ratification to any agreement by the Government of Belize; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Senate authorizes the Government of Belize to ratify the Agreement between the Government of Belize and the Government of the Republic of Estonia on Visa Requirement Exemption for Holders of Diplomatic Passports, a full text of which is hereto annexed.

2.
2.

Resolution Authorizing the Ratification by Belize of the Revised Agreement Establishing the Caribbean Examinations Council Motion, 2019.
WHEREAS, the Government of Belize signed the Revised Agreement Establishing the Caribbean Examinations Council in Port-au-Prince, Haiti at the 29th Intersessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community held from 26-27 February 2018; AND WHEREAS, the objective of the aforementioned Agreement is to: recognize the decision of the Second Conference of Heads of Government of Commonwealth Caribbean Countries in 1964, to set up a Caribbean Examinations Council; acknowledge the Agreement Establishing the Caribbean Examinations Council between the Participating Governments in 1972, and its amendment Supplemental Agreement in 1973, which gave effect to the decision of the Second Conference; desire that the objectives, organs and 4 powers of the Caribbean Examinations Council be redefined and strengthened; conscientious of the need for the institution of a new system of examinations for the Area; determine to enhance the effectiveness of the decision-making and implementation processes of the Caribbean Examinations Council; AND WHEREAS, in accordance with its Article XXXI, the Agreement shall enter into force in accordance with Article XXXII of the Revised Agreement Establishing the Caribbean Examinations Council; AND WHEREAS, section 61A(2)(a) of the Belize Constitution, as amended by the Belize Constitution (Sixth Amendment) Act (No.
13 of 2008), provides that the Senate shall authorize the ratification to any treaty by the Government of Belize; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Senate authorizes the Government of Belize to ratify the Revised Agreement Establishing the Caribbean Examinations Council, a full text of which is hereto annexed.

3.

Resolution Authorizing the Ratification by Belize of the Protocol on Public Procurement for the Caribbean Community Motion, 2019.
WHEREAS, the Government of Belize signed the Protocol on Public Procurement for the Caribbean Community in Castries, St. Lucia at the Fortieth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community held in St. Lucia from 3-5 July 2019; AND WHEREAS, the objective of the aforementioned Protocol is to establish the conditions and procedure for the progressive integration of the national public procurement market of each Contracting Party into a single, unified and open area through the design and implementation of a regional best practice regime for public procurement; AND WHEREAS, in accordance with its Article 37, the Protocol shall enter into force in accordance with Article 38 of the Protocol on Public Procurement for the Caribbean Community; AND WHEREAS, section 61A(2)(a) of the Belize Constitution, as amended by the Belize Constitution (Sixth Amendment) Act (No.
13 of 2008), provides that the Senate shall authorize the ratification to any treaty by the Government of Belize; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Senate authorizes the Government of Belize to ratify the Protocol on Public Procurement for the Caribbean Community, a full text of which is hereto annexed.

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4.

Resolution Authorizing the Ratification by Belize of the Protocol Amending the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas to Incorporate the Council for National Security and Law Enforcement as an Organ of the Community and the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security as an Institution of the Community Motion, 2019.
WHEREAS, the Government of Belize signed the Protocol Amending the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas to Incorporate the Council for National Security and Law Enforcement as an Organ of the Community and the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security as an Institution of the Community in Castries, St. Lucia at the Fortieth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community held from 3-5 July 2019; AND WHEREAS, the objective of the aforementioned Protocol is to amend the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas establishing the Caribbean Community including the CARICOM Single Market and Economy signed by the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community on 5 July 2001, at their Twenty-Second Meeting of the Conference in Nassau, 5 The Bahamas, (hereinafter referred to as “the Treaty”); the Treaty and this Protocol shall be read and interpreted as one single document; AND WHEREAS, in accordance with its Article IX, the Protocol shall enter into force in accordance with Article XI of the Protocol Amending the Revised Treaty of Chaguarmas to Incorporate the Council for National Security and Law Enforcement as an Organ of the Community and the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security as an Institution of the Community; AND WHEREAS, section 61A(2)(a) of the Belize Constitution, as amended by the Belize Constitution (Sixth Amendment) Act (No.
13 of 2008), provides that the Senate shall authorize the ratification to any treaty by the Government of Belize; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Senate authorizes the Government of Belize to ratify the Protocol Amending the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas to Incorporate the Council for National Security and Law Enforcement as an Organ of the Community and the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security as an Institution of the Community, a full text of which is hereto annexed.

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5.

Inter-American Development Bank - Strengthening Tax Administration Project (US$14,000,000) Loan Motion, 2019.
WHEREAS, Belize being a member of the Inter-American Development Bank (the “Bank”), is eligible for development assistance in the form of loans, grants, and technical assistance from the Bank on such terms and conditions as may be agreed between Belize and the Bank from time to time; AND WHEREAS, the Government of Belize has approached the Bank for financial assistance in the execution of a Project to Strengthen Tax Administration which will contribute to the efficiencies of the newly amalgamated tax departments, the Belize Tax Service; AND WHEREAS, it is the intention of the Government to apply such financial assistance to increase the government’s effectiveness in tax collection by modernizing the technological improving Tax Administration governance and operational processes; infrastructure and AND WHEREAS, the Bank has offered the Government, financing of up to US$14,000,000 from its Ordinary Capital Resources in support of Belize’s Strengthening Tax Administration Project under the following terms and conditions: Lender: The Inter-American Development Bank; Loan Principal Amount: US$14,000,000.00; Purpose: contribute To strengthening Tax Administration (TA) aimed at increasing revenue collection; to Disbursement Schedule: Over a period of five (5) years from the effective date of the Loan Contract; Loan Term: Twenty-five (25) Years from the date of signature of the Loan Contract, inclusive of a sixty-six (66) month Grace Period on Principal Repayment; 6 Repayment Period: Rate of Interest: Credit Fee: To be
 repaid in 40 semi-annual and consecutive, and insofar as possible, equal installments; first installment to be paid on the expiration date of the sixty-six (66) month period following the effective date of the Loan Contract; Lending Rate is based on the LIBOR-Based Interest Rate plus the applicable lending spread for the Bank’s ordinary capital loans; A Credit Fee will be at a percentage to be established by the Bank on a periodic basis, not exceeding 0.75% per annum; AND WHEREAS, under the provisions of section 7(2) of the Finance and Audit (Reform) Act, 2005, the Government of Belize is required to obtain the prior authorisation of the National Assembly, by way of a Resolution, for such a borrowing; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that this Honourable House, being satisfied that the Loan proceeds would significantly assist the Government of Belize in strengthening tax administration, approve and confirm that the Government may enter into a Loan Contract with the Inter-American Development Bank on the terms and conditions set out above for financing the said Program, and further authorize the Minister of Finance to execute and deliver the said Loan Contract and all other documents associated therewith.
6.

Inter-American Development Bank - Contingent Loan for Natural Disaster Emergencies (US$10,000,000) Loan Motion, 2019.
WHEREAS, Belize, as a member of the Inter-American Development Bank (the “Bank”), is eligible for development assistance in the form of loans, grants, and technical assistance from the Bank on such terms and conditions as may be agreed between Belize and the Bank from time to time; AND WHEREAS, the Government of Belize has approached the Bank for financial assistance to facilitate the execution of a project to alleviate the impact that a severe or catastrophic natural disaster could have on the country’s finances, by increasing the availability, stability, and efficiency of contingent financing to address emergencies; AND WHEREAS, the operation will seek to enhance the comprehensive disaster risk management of Belize by fostering improvements in five (5) main areas to be monitored through a Comprehensive Natural Disaster Risk Management Program (CDRMP): (i) disaster risk management governance; (ii) risk identification; (iii) risk reduction; (iv) disaster preparedness; and (v) financial protection; AND WHEREAS, the proposed operation contemplates a single component of US$10,000,000 to structure a stable and efficient ex ante financial coverage to afford, in a timely manner, any extraordinary expenses that could arise in emergencies caused by severe or catastrophic natural disasters; AND WEREAS, the Bank has offered financing of up to US$10,000,000 from its Ordinary Capital Resources for the said purpose under the following terms and conditions: Lender: The Inter-American Development Bank; Loan Principal Amount:
 US$10,000,000.00 Single Currency Facility Loan; 7 Disbursement Schedule: Loan Term: Repayment Period: Purpose: Rate of Interest: Credit Fee: Over a period of sixty (60) months from the date of signature of Loan Contract; such period may be extended for up to five (5) additional years based on discretion; Twenty-five (25) Years inclusive of a sixty- six (66) month Grace Period on Principal Repayments; To be repaid in 39 approximately equal, semi-annual and consecutive installments of about US$256,410.25; To
 execute a Project to alleviate the impact of severe natural disasters in Belize; Lending Rate is based on the Single Currency Facility Loan with a LIBOR-Based Interest Rate; A Credit Fee will be at a percentage to be established by the Bank on a periodic basis, not exceeding 0.75% per annum; AND WHEREAS, under the provisions of section 7(2) of the Finance and Audit (Reform) Act, 2005, the Government of Belize is required to obtain the prior authorisation of the National Assembly, by way of a Resolution, for such a borrowing; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that this Honourable House, being satisfied that the Loan proceeds would significantly assist the Government of Belize in the execution of a project to alleviate the impact that a severe or catastrophic natural disaster could have on the country’s finances, approve and confirm that the Government may enter into a Loan Contract with the Inter-American Development Bank on the terms and conditions set out above, and further authorize the Minister of Finance to execute and deliver the said Loan Contract and all other documents associated therewith.
7.

Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) - Upgrading of the Corozal- Sarteneja Road and the Construction of the Pueblo Nuevo and Laguna Seca Bridges (US$50,000,000) Loan Motion, 2019.
WHEREAS, the Government of Belize has received an offer of financial support from the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) under the bilateral program of economic cooperation and development between the two countries; AND WHEREAS, the offer of financial support is in the form of a long-term, low- interest, Loan in the principal amount of US$50.0 million from the Export-Import Bank of the Republic of China (Taiwan EXIM Bank); AND WHEREAS, the purpose of the Loan is to finance the Project to upgrade the Corozal- Sarteneja Road and to construct the Pueblo Nuevo and Laguna Seca Bridges in the Corozal District; AND WHEREAS, the terms and conditions of the Loan Offer are as follows: Lender: Export-Import Bank of the Republic of China (Taiwan EXIM Bank); Loan Principal Amount: US$50,000,000.00; Purpose: Loan Term: 8 Project Implementation for the upgrading of the the Corozal-Sarteneja Road Construction of the Pueblo Nuevo and Laguna Seca Bridges; and Twenty (20) years (inclusive of the grace period); Grace Period: Five (5) years; Disbursement Schedule: Repayment: To be disbursed over five calendar years commencing from the date of signing of the agreement, with each disbursement being in accordance with project milestones, and consisting of an aggregate amount not to exceed US$50 Million; In thirty (30) consecutive, equal (or nearly equal as possible) semi-annual principal installments commencing 66 months after date of the first Advance made under the Agreement.
Rate of Interest: 6-month Libor + 1%, per annum; AND WHEREAS, under the provisions of section 7(2) of the Finance and Audit (Reform) Act, 2005, the Government of Belize is required to obtain the prior authorization of the National Assembly, by way of a Resolution, for such borrowing; NOW, THERFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that this Honourable House, being satisfied that the Loan proceeds would be utilized for the purpose stated above, approve and confirm that the Government of Belize may enter into a Loan Agreement with the Export-Import Bank of the Republic of China (Taiwan EXIM Bank) on the terms and conditions set out above, and further authorize the Minister of Finance to execute and deliver the said Loan Agreement and all other documents and agreements connected therewith.
(Leader of Government Business and Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment, Sustainable Development and Immigration Services and Refugees) 