I wrote this a few moments ago and sent it to all the appropriete ministries, might help might not.

Reed Purdy
reedp@pmi-corp.com

Prime Minister and Others

I am writing as an investor and concerned resident of Ambergris Caye. My wife and I are and have been making sizable investments in the Belize Economy and Ambergris Caye and will continue to do so. My wife Lori road out the storm and is now assisting with the cleanup. I will be down to assist in the next few weeks, but we seem to have a problem.

I just read that relief supplies are waiting to be delivered in BC at the airport are being held for duty payment before they can be released. This must be a mistake by a well intentioned Duty Officer. I am sure that the Belize Ministries involved must not have gotten the word out to there people that duty is suspended until the crisis is over.

No place in the free world would charge duty on emergency supplies, generators or anything during a state of emergency. I have been told that several military organization, Belize, Canada US and others are helping with the cleanup. I would imagine that these countries will forgo any payment from Belize for this assistance. The US Government has mobilized a task force to assist in the cleanup at no cost to the Belizean Government.

In times like these we must reevaluate the rules that are enacted, enforced and apply to the normal course of business in Belize.

It is inconsistent to accept free help and then not allow the supplies (private or public) to assist in that cleanup unless tax is paid.

Please reconsider your position and make your government personnel aware "NO TAX" during the crisis. The return to the Belizean economy will many times the few dollars collected on relief supplies.

Sincerely,

Reed B. Purdy
Director
PMI-Project Managment International, Inc.
379 Ukrajinska
Litvinov, Czech Republic 43601
Home: 42-035-773-0016
Work: 42-035-616-4189
Cell: 35-603-832-320
E-mail: reedp@pmi-corp.com

Reed Purdy