The Belize banana industry has received a major boost in the form of a European Union grant worth 3.5 million euros. The support is part of a financing agreement under the 1999 revised banana country strategy, which has recently been reviewed by the banana industry.

With particular focus on improving the competitiveness of the banana industry and the introduction of alternative activities in the traditional banana belt in Belize, the grant will secure sustainable development and the improvement of living standards for the communities in the south of the country. The project will both follow on and build on the Banana Support Programme.

Under the present 2002 Financing Agreement, further support is planned to establish a more efficient banana industry capable of competing in a liberalised world market on a sustainable basis.

Signing on behalf of the government of Belize was the prime minister Said Musa, while Gerd Jarchow, head of the EU delegation to Jamaica, Belize and the Bahamas signed on behalf of the European Commission.

The grant is the fourth in a series of annual grants. Earlier funds received under the Special Framework of Assistance have been used for drainage and irrigation and for the replanting of banana farms after the impact of hurricane Iris.

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