Minister of Sustainable Development confirms family link to logging company with license in Mountain Pine Ridge

Published by BBNTEAM at July 3, 2025

Posted: Thursday, July 3, 2025. 9:40 am CST.

By Breaking Belize News Staff: A 30-year logging license granted to a San Ignacio-based company named Arch Timbers is drawing scrutiny after Minister of Sustainable Development Orlando Habet confirmed that a relative of his is a shareholder in the company, 7News Belize reports.

The long-term license, awarded in 2022, allows Arch Timbers to harvest timber in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve until 2052.

During an interview with 7News Belize, Minister Habet confirmed that one of his relatives is a member of the company.

“I believe in a company yes, as a member or a shareholder in a company, yes,” Habet said.

Sources have alleged that some companies granted logging licenses have sold or transferred them to third parties at a profit. When questioned about this practice, Habet said he was unaware of it.

“No, I am not aware, not during our time at least,” he stated.

“Not that I am aware of. We came in five years ago, and as far as I am concerned, I think two licenses were issued. None of them that I know of have been obtained or sold or anything of that sort,” he added.

Sources have indicated that licenses are being sold and transferred.

Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Belize ~ We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages. Your content is delivered instantly to thousands of users in Belize and abroad! Contact us at mаrkеtіng@brеаkіngbеlіzеnеwѕ.соm or call us at 501-612-0315.