BELIZE
Area:22,965 sq km (8,867 sq mi)
Population (1997 est.): 228,000
Capital: Belmopan
Chief of state: Queen Elizabeth II, represented by Governor-General Colville Young
Head of government: Prime Minister Manuel Esquivel
In municipal elections held on March 11, 1997, the opposition People's United Party (PUP) won all seven town boards for the first time in Belize's history. Johnny Brice¤o, the deputy PUP leader, received the most votes, 3,173, in Orange Walk, while Pinita Espejo topped the list for the United Democratic Party with 2,133 votes. General elections were scheduled for mid-1998 after a full reregistration of the electorate.
Prime Minister Manuel Esquivel made several Cabinet changes in April: Salvador Fern ndez was transferred from his post as minister of trade and industry to that of health and sports; Elito Urbina replaced Alfredo Mart¡nez (appointed minister of trade and industry) as ambassador to Mexico; Hubert Elrington was named minister of home affairs and labour; and Ruben Campos, former minister of health and sports, was appointed minister of national coordination and mobilization.
The approved 1997-98 budget comprised expenditures of Bz$402.7 million and revenues of $297.1 million. The prime minister projected the yield from the value-added tax at Bz$76.7 million. Esquivel said that in 1996 the official reserves had reached their highest level in six years. During the year sugar, banana, and citrus exports increased.
note: Bz$2=US$1 |
