Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1694572928023.pdf (Belize)
BELIZE No.

HR14/1/13 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Friday, 13th May 2022 10:00 A.M. -*- -*- -*- S U P P L E M E N T A R Y (2) ORDERS OF THE DAY 7.

Presentation of Reports from Select Committees.

No.

HR109/1/13 - the from International Bank Report the Finance and Economic Development Committee on for Reconstruction and Development - Climate Resilient and Sustainable Agriculture Project (US$25 Million) Loan Motion, 2022.

– (The Honourable Chairman of the Finance and Economic Development Committee) No.
HR110/1/13 - No.

HR111/1/13 - Report from the Constitution and Foreign Affairs Committee on the Taiwan’s to Motion participation International Organizations, 2022. support in Report from the Constitution and Foreign Affairs Committee on the Motion to seek to move the Belize to advise Her Advisory Council Excellency the Governor-General to exercise the Prerogative of Mercy, 2022.

(The Honourable Chairman of the Constitution and Foreign Affairs Committee) 2 14.

Public Business.

A.


Government Business I MOTIONS (For Text of Motions see Notice Papers attached) 1. for Reconstruction and International Bank Development - Climate Resilient and Sustainable Agriculture Project – (US$25 Million) Loan Motion, 2022.

(referred 13th May 2022.)

2.

Motion International Organizations, 2022. to Support Taiwan’s Participation in (referred 13th May 2022.)

(The Honourable Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment) 3.
Motion to Seek to Move the Belize Advisory Council to Advise Her Excellency the Governor-General to Exercise the Prerogative of Mercy, 2022.

(referred 13th May 2022.)

(The Honourable Minister of Human Development, Families and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs)  3 BELIZE No.
HR14/1/13 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Friday, 13th May 2022 10:00 A.M. -*- -*- -*- S U P P L E M E N T A R Y (2) NOTICES OF QUESTIONS AND MOTIONS M O T I O N S 1. International Bank for Reconstruction and Development - Climate Resilient and Sustainable Agriculture Project – (US$25 Million) Loan Motion, 2022.

(Referred 13th May 2022.)
WHEREAS, Belize being a member of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (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 implement a Climate Resilient and Sustainable Agriculture Project to be undertaken by the Ministry of Agriculture, with the assistance of the Belize Social Investment Fund; AND WHEREAS, this Project will provide funding for support to agriculture producers, with an emphasis on individual small holder farmers who are transitioning to more commercial production, while also supporting more established commercial farmers and farmer associations that wish to adopt climate smart practices to improve the sustainability of their enterprises; thus, the project will entail (i) capacity building for key public agricultural institutions, so that these are equipped to support a transition to more resilient, productive, and green agricultural development; and (ii) financing (using matching grants) for the adoption of improved practices and know-how by agricultural producers, as well as for collective/shared technologies and assets; AND WHEREAS, the Bank has offered financing of up to US$25,000,000 for the said purpose under the following terms and conditions: Lender: International The Reconstruction and Development; Bank for Loan Principal Amount: US$25,000,000.00; Disbursement Schedule: Over a period of five years, from the date of signature of the Loan Contract, up to 31st July 2027 (four (4) months after the closing date of 31st March 2027); 4 Loan Term: Repayment Period: Purpose: Rate of Interest: Commitment Charge: Front End Fee: Eighteen (18) years inclusive of a forty-eight (48) month Grace Period on Principal Repayments; To be repaid in 28 approximately equal, semi-annual, and consecutive installments of about US$892,857.14, on
 15th April and 15th October of each year; To increase agricultural productivity and the adoption of climate-smart agricultural among project beneficiaries; and respond effectively to an eligible crisis or emergency event; approaches Reference Rate based on the USD Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) plus the variable spread or such rate as may apply following a conversion; the Rate is currently at about 0.28% but will be fixed on date of signing; One quarter of one percent (0.25%) per annum on the unwithdrawn loan balance; One quarter of one percent (0.25%) of the loan amount; 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 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 its efforts to create a more productive and resilient agricultural system via capacity building and investments that can sustain rural transformation towards climate smart agriculture, approves and confirms that the Government may enter into a Loan Contract with the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development on the terms and conditions set out above, and further authorizes the Minister of Finance to execute and deliver the said Loan Contract and all other documents associated therewith.
2.

Motion to Support Taiwan’s Participation in International Organizations, 2022.

WHEREAS, the year of 2022, marks the 33rd Anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic ties between Belize and the Republic of China (Taiwan); (Referred 13th May 2022.)
5 AND WHEREAS, for these 33 years of friendship, Belize and Taiwan have continuously supported and helped each other and closely cooperated in numerous areas, ranging from infrastructure, medical and public health, agriculture, sustainable environment, information and communication technology to culture and education; AND WHEREAS, all bilateral cooperation projects between Belize and Taiwan, including road construction, motor vehicle registration and license system, breeding sheep and goat production, urban resilience and disaster prevention, medical imaging system, women empowerment, mandarin teaching and talent cultivation are currently proceeding smoothly; AND WHEREAS, Honourable John Briceño, Prime Minister of Belize, visited Taiwan and was welcomed by H.E.
Dr. Tsai Ing-wen, President of the Republic of China (Taiwan) on 9th March 2022, and the Government of Taiwan has committed to work with the Government of Belize to construct a new hospital with state-of-the-art medical facilities in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, for the health and wellness of Belizean people; AND WHEREAS, to assist Belize in its fight against COVID-19 pandemic, Taiwan has donated large quantities of medical supplies and Personal Protective Equipment to Belize and shared its successful experiences containing the pandemic with Belize, demonstrating Taiwan’s commitments to helping its allies and international partners in need; AND WHEREAS, Taiwan is a faithful ally and development partner to Belize, and the generosity and contribution Taiwan made to other countries have shown Taiwan is an indispensable part of the global community, and Taiwan can play and has played a critical role in the world; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that this Honourable House expresses its full support to Taiwan’s participation in ALL related international organizations, including the United Nations, the World Health Assembly (WHA), the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC); AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to President Tsai Ing-wen through the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and to the office of the Prime Minister as a tangible token of the friendship expressed herein.
(The Honourable Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment) 3.

Motion to Seek to Move the Belize Advisory Council to Advise Her Excellency the the Governor-General Prerogative of Mercy, 2022. to Exercise (Referred 13th May 2022.)
WHEREAS, the Belize Constitution empowers Her Excellency the Governor-General to exercise the prerogative of mercy; AND WHEREAS, section 52(1) of the Belize Constitution provides that the Governor-General may grant a pardon, either free or subject to lawful conditions, to any person convicted of any offence; 6 AND WHEREAS, sub-section (2) of the said section 52 further provides that the powers of the Governor-General to grant a pardon under sub-section (1) shall be exercised in accordance with the advice of the Belize Advisory Council; AND WHEREAS, while the Belize Constitution does not explicitly state that such power may be extended to post humous pardons or exonerations, it may be interpreted that the Governor-General has the power to issue a post humous pardon within the jurisdiction of her governance; AND WHEREAS, Nora Parham was executed by British authorities under British law in a British colony, which subsequently was granted independence as the state of Belize; AND WHEREAS, Belize chose to retain the British judicial system in which the exercise of the prerogative of mercy can be extended to persons posthumously as a way of redeeming or righting an injustice that was done in another generation; AND WHEREAS, it is the desire of the present Government to correct the miscarriage of justice that resulted in the death by hanging of Nora Parham and bring closure to that “stain on our history”; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that: 1.
Nora Parham be granted a posthumous pardon; 2.

The sentence of death by hanging imposed on Nora Parham and executed on June 5, 1963, be revoked.

(The Honourable Minister of Human Development, Families, and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs) 