Call for Submissions by Commission of Inquiry, Belize Sugar Cane Industry

Published by BBNTEAM at August 13, 2024

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Posted: Tuesday, August 13, 2024. 2:48 pm CST.

Call For Submissions by the Commission of Inquiry into the Sugar Industry, Office of the Prime Minister.

Contributed: The Commission of Inquiry for the Belize Sugar Cane Industry invites individuals, groups, or organizations to submit information and documentation in accordance with its mandate outlined in the Terms of Reference regarding the following matters:

To establish benchmarks to measure the efficiency of both factories/mills in Belize (BSI and Santander) and compare with regional sugar factories/mills.
To identify measures that can address any inefficiency in the sugar factories/mills.
To assess the cost and efficiency of sugarcane cultivation, harvesting and transportation in Belize by among other things comparing these operations to regional benchmarks.
To assess planting practices in Belize, the cane varieties used in Belize, the distribution of varieties across farms, the risks posed by such varieties and distribution, and to identify measures to mitigate such risk and improve productivity through different planting practices and the use of new varieties.
To present a reform and influencing strategy to improve the viability of small-scale cane farmers.
To determine manufacturing cost of products such as raw sugar and direct consumption sugar at both factories/mills and compare with regional industry standards.
To assess the handling, storage and transportation efficiency and cost of sugar and molasses and the opportunities for improvement in the handling, storage and transportation of both products.
To assess the potential for development of other by-product and derivatives investment, and other revenue streams.
To assess the revenues generated from the sale of molasses and recommend a pricing mechanism for molasses
To consider the possibility for setting up of a distillery for the optimal use of molasses for the production of ethanol and/or potable alcohol for direct consumption.
To review the Cogeneration scheme at both BSI and Santander and compare it with other cogeneration plants with a view to optimize the use of bagasse fuel for electricity generation for the benefit of Belize at a larger scale.
To review marketing and pricing arrangements.
To compare cane payment system of BSI and Santander with a range of other sugar industries/countries and recommend an alternative.
To assess the impact of climate change on sugar cane farms in Belize, including the adequacy of farm and road drainage and the remedies required to address the climate change challenges and the timing of the implementation of such remedies.

In order to preserve the security and confidentiality of the information submitted, it is recommended to submit through the specific email address created by the Commission: [email protected]

Submissions can be sent by August 30^th, 2024.

All submissions must include the name(s) and contact details of the author(s) and should specify if their submissions, or parts of them, should be treated confidentially. The Commission of Inquiry for the Belize Sugar Cane Industry ensures its sources the highest level of confidentiality.

The Commission was established by the Government of Belize on March 19th, 2024 and is due to submit a report by November 30th, 2024.

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