Belize in 2006

Belize in 2006

Area: 22,965 sq km (8,867 sq mi)
Population (2006 est.): 301,000
Capital: Belmopan
Chief of state: Queen Elizabeth II, represented by Governor-General Sir Colville Young
Head of government: Prime Minister Said Musa

Though the unrelenting economic and fiscal problems that had plagued Belize in recent years continued, there were two reasons for hope in 2006: the government took action on reforming the public sector, and petroleum was discovered in commercial quantities. Independent reviews on financial management within major components of the public sector were carried out during the year. The action attracted much public attention, especially after the findings were presented to the director of public prosecution, whose scrutiny of the reports could lead to the prosecution of senior-level public officers. News in February of the discovery of petroleum in commercial quantities lifted the spirits of all Belizeans considerably, raising hopes that there might be an answer to their unsettling economic times. A small firm, Belize Natural Energy Ltd., struck oil and produced an average of 2,000 bbl a day of low-sulfur crude. Though that figure was far less than the 5,000 bbl used daily by the country, there were undeveloped reserves amounting to roughly 56 million bbl. Without a refinery of its own, Belize began exporting the crude to the U.S.

On September 21 Belizeans celebrated the 25th anniversary of political independence from Great Britain with massive celebrations that extended to all parts of the country.

BY:Joseph O. Palacio