Suriname and Belize Cited By U.S. For Lack of Progress On Fiscal Transparency

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News Americas, New York, NY, September 18, 2024: Belize and Suriname have been singled out by the U.S. Department of State for failing to make significant progress towards fiscal transparency, according to the recently released 2024 Fiscal Transparency Report. These two nations are the only Caribbean countries that have not made progress in meeting the minimum fiscal transparency standards, a requirement assessed annually by the Department of State, the report said.

The report evaluates governments identified in the 2014 Fiscal Transparency Report to assess their compliance with transparency standards. These include public disclosure of national budget documentation and adherence to clear criteria for contracting and licensing in natural resource extraction.

While countries like The Bahamas, Guyana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago were praised for meeting the transparency requirements, Belize and Suriname were noted for their shortcomings.

Belize’s Challenges
Belize made strides by publicly releasing its enacted budget, end-of-year report, and debt obligations. The country also ensured that budget information was reliable, with actual revenues and expenditures aligning with the budget. However, the government failed to publish its executive budget proposal within a reasonable time, and while audit institutions were independent, audit reports were not made available promptly.

To improve, Belize must:

Publish its executive budget proposal within a reasonable period.
Ensure timely public release of audit reports by its supreme audit institution.

Suriname’s Shortcomings
Suriname made some budget documents accessible, including the executive budget proposal and information on debt obligations. However, the government failed to make its end-of-year report publicly available and did not disclose off-budget accounts, impacting the overall fiscal transparency. Additionally, the country continued to classify loans as revenue, and in the mining sector, the government did not follow its own procedures for awarding natural resource contracts.

Key recommendations for Suriname include:

Publishing the end-of-year report within a reasonable period.
Eliminating or auditing off-budget accounts.
Adhering to natural resource extraction laws and making contract details publicly available.
Both nations must address these deficiencies to meet international standards and improve transparency.

Caribbean Travel – These Beaches Are Really In Haiti

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News Americas, NEW YORK, NY. Haiti, a Caribbean gem often overshadowed by its tumultuous history, boasts a stunning coastline adorned with pristine beaches that rival the most renowned tropical destinations. With crystal-clear waters, powdery white sands, and lush palm-fringed shores, Haiti’s beaches offer a serene escape for those seeking natural beauty and tranquility. Here are 6 beautiful beaches in Haiti, you should know:

1: Cormier Plage

This beach is located in the north of Haiti, about a15 minutes’ drive from the city center of Cap-Haitian and off of the Cormier Plage Resort. Guests staying in the hotel have exclusive access to the beachfront, a stretch of sand set in a prime location that allows visitors to experience the country’s top cultural site – the Citadelle Laferrière.


2: Port-Salut

Port-Salut is a relaxing beach destination located at the far south-west corner of the country and is one of the hidden secrets of Haiti. It is home to a variety of local businesses offering entertainment for beach-goers, local cuisine as well as chic boutique and luxurious hotels right off of the coast and is the home town of former President Aristide.


3: Ils-a-Rat Beach

The Ile à Rats beach is located on a small island off the northern coast of Haiti. It was discovered by none other than Christopher Columbus, and according to some, used it to retreat with his local lover. To get here you have to charter a boat in Labadie and it takesabout forty minutes to get there but it’s well worth it. There are colorful coral reefs and its also great for snorkeling and scuba diving.

4: Chouchou Bay Beach

This is one of the beautiful beaches, located in northern Haiti, within driving distance of Cap-Haïtien. It is surrounded by green, plush mountains which adorn the landscape surrounding the oceanfront. Chouchou Bay Beach provides a quieter space and is also a good place to dive or snorkel.

5: Kyona Beach

This beach is part of a hotel and is located north of the Haitian capital, Port-Au-Prince – and an hour north in Ouest, Haiti, and is visited by many for its crystal clean waters.

6: Labadee Beach

This is a port located on the northern coast of Haiti within the arrondissement of Cap-Haïtien in the Nord department. It is a private resort leased to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., for the exclusive use of passengers of its three cruise lines: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Azamara Club Cruises, until 2050. The boats are docked offshore, and the passengers are tendered to the coast where they find a fine resort that includes Water Sports, a water park, an Haitian market and some dance performances by local artists. This beach resort features pristine beaches, coral reefs and lagoon-like bays surrounded by forested mountains. The resort is guarded by a private security force.