The Government of Belize and the Government of Spain have recently signed two memorandum of understanding through Belize’s Ministry of Agriculture. On March 27th, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Rene Montero signed both MOU in Huelva, Spain.

The First MOU was signed between the Government of Spain and OSPESCA, which is the organization charged with the promotion of sustainable management and development of Fisheries and Aquaculture in Central America. A release form the Belize Press Office says this MOU will guide future projects and development in the seven Central American countries by the joint development of policies, strategies and projects on regional fisheries and aquaculture.

This will be done through the promotion of cooperation and information exchange amongst Central American Countries, the promotion and marketing of Fisheries products from the region and the mobilization of additional sources of funds for joint projects between Spain and the Central American Countries. The second M-O-U was signed between the Governments of Belize and Spain to formalize the expressed interest by Spain for the provision of assistance to Belize in other areas requested outside of OSPESCA.

This MOU will facilitate and promote the joint participation in research projects, productive and commercial development, trade, biotechnology, sustainable management of the marine environment and responsible fishing between governmental and non-governmental bodies and stakeholders.

The MOU will also seek to encourage private investment and commercial exchanges through special missions, industrial fishing and aquaculture companies to participate in fairs, exhibitions and the other events in both countries.