Chamber Elects new Executive Council Members at its 92nd AGM

The Chamber held its 92^nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday April 27^th at the Chamber’s McField Conference Centre located on Coney Drive.  Five councillors were elected to serve on the Chamber’s Executive Council for a period of two years – returning as councillor and topping the polls was Mr. Carlo Habet of Brothers Habet Ltd. and Mr. Israel Marin of Belize Diesel and Equipment Ltd.  Mr. Douglas Bowen of Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd, Mr. Nikita Usher of Citrus Products of Belize Ltd and Mr. Daniel Gutierrez of Belize Natural Energy completed the slate of five councillors.

 In addition, the Executive Officers for the 2012 – 2014 Executive Council are Ms. Kay Menzies, Managing Director of Karl H. Menzies Ltd., who will serve another term as President; Mr.  Emile Mena, Managing Director of the Mena Group of Companies, who will serve as Past President; Mr. Allen Reimer, Belize Agro-Productive Sector Group, who will serve as V.P. Industry; Mr. Rishi Mungal, Morgan & Morgan Trust Corp. Belize Ltd., will serve as V.P. Services, Mr. Alberto Young, General Manager of Grace Kennedy (Belize) Ltd., will stay on as V.P. Commerce; Mrs. Claudette El Ters, Administrative Director of Maheias United Concrete & Supplies Ltd., will stay on as Treasurer; and Mrs. Ashanti Martin, Courtenay & Coye LLP Associate, continues in her capacity as Secretary.

The guest speaker for this year’s AGM was Dr. Richard W. Rahn, Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute and Chairman of the Institute for Global Economic Growth based in Washington D.C., United States. Dr. Rahn’s has a B.A. in Economics from the University of South Florida, an M.B.A. from Florida State University, and a Ph.D. from Columbia University, as well as an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Pepperdine University. In his address, Dr. Rahn spoke about “The Opportunity for Belize to be a High-Growth Country”.  Implementing a Currency Control Board for monetary policy,  introducing the concept of Free Cities where investors can develop industries with little or no restrictions to increase exportation and create jobs, as well as instituting E-governance systems to reduce the cost of doing business in Belize were some of the highlights of Dr. Rahn’s presentation.     

Hon. Godwin Hulse, Minister for Labour, was honored for his 14 years of service to the Chamber, having served in various capacities during the years – President and Senator representing the business community.  Mrs. Amparo Masson, Past President, was also recognized for her twelve years of service to the Chamber. Mr. Alberto Young was awarded with the Secretariat’s Award for his exemplary service of being “The Most Responsive EC Member” for 2010-2012.

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