The Cabinet brief is usually full of a lot of little "nothing nuggets" and that's why you hardly hear about it in the news. But, this week, it's loaded.

First off, Cabinet says it's determined to do something about inflation and the rising cost of living. So, they plan to, quote, set up meetings with wholesalers and retailers to ensure that ALL understand the urgency of the situation with a view to price control of goods and services" end quote. To this, we must add that, last we checked, the only thing merchants understand is markup and margins, and even the few price controls that are currently in place cannot be enforced.

And that's why Cabinet says it's going to, quote, "establish the practice of store inspections and monitoring as offered by the unions; revisit the list of basic commodities to expand the number of goods which are price-controlled; and review the grocery bag program to ensure that the Belizeans who need help the most are those benefitting." End quote.

We'll be following that progress closely, but, moving on, Cabinet says it reviewed "the 264-million master plan for the Philip Goldson International Airport" prepared by the UK-based INFRATA Airport Consultants, for the airport's private owners. Phase 1 improvements have already started with the expansion of the terminal building, the construction of a larger aircraft apron, and a new eastern taxiway among other developments. But, everything has a cost and, quote, "to finance the new investments, Cabinet approved adjustments to the non-Belizean airport development fee." That means international travelers will have to pay an additional surcharge on the departure tax, which is 35.50 US dollars and the PACT fee which is 20 US dollars. No one could tell us how much this new surcharge will be, but, again, it will be put towards an investment exceeding 250 million dollars.

And while that is the airport, Cabinet also gave the green light to another marine Port. It says, quote, "Cabinet discussed the development of a passenger port and marina at the Commerce Bight Port in the Stann Creek District and set up a ministerial subcommittee to study the feasibility of developing a passenger, port and marina at the existing Port at Commerce Bight."

And, in a surrender to the inevitable, Cabinet also announced a half day on Holy Thursday for the entire public service.

Channel 7