Designation as an aquaculture products exporting business

(1) Any person who is desirous of establishing or operating an aquaculture facility for the purpose of producing aquaculture products primarily for export or sale to buyers who are not residents of Belize or to other aquaculture exporting businesses may apply to the Minister to designate his aquaculture facility and the business conducted thereon to be an aquaculture (2) The Applicant shall furnish in support of his application– (a) a valid aquaculture operating licence granted by the Authority under section 35(1); (b) a current certificate of membership of the Association, where applicable; (c) proof of title and the availability of the real property required for the purposes of the aquaculture facility; Aquaculture Development [CAP. 204:01 37 (d) such other particulars as may by regulation be prescribed, including but not limited to particulars of– (i) the estimated amount, purpose and source of capital to be expended, (ii) the estimated volume of exports, foreign exchange earnings or savings, (iii) the number of persons to be employed and the conditions of service, and (iv) arrangements for recruitment of managers and technical assistants. (3) If the Minister is satisfied– (a) of the feasibility of the applicant’s proposed aquaculture exporting business; (b) of the potential for earning foreign currency of the applicant’s said business, and (c) that the operation of the applicant’s said business will be beneficial to the economy of Belize, the Minister may, after consultation with the Ministers responsible for Finance, Economic Development, Natural Resources and the Environment, Labour, Agriculture and Fisheries, grant an Export Business Certificate designating the area of the applicant’s aquaculture facility and the business conducted thereon to be an aquaculture exporting business. (4) A person who, at the commencement of this Act, is operating an aquaculture facility in Belize, is a member in good standing of the Belize Shrimp Growers Association and is entitled to have an operating licence issued to him pursuant to 38 section 35(2), shall in respect of his aquaculture facility and the business conducted thereon be deemed to be an aquaculture exporting business and shall upon application to the Minister and be granted an Export Business Certificate, or other relevant certificate, to that effect, under the Designated Processing Areas Act. (5) An Export Business Certificate, or other relevant certificate issued to an applicant pursuant to sub-section (3) or (4) of this section shall– (a) define the Designated Area within which the aquaculture export business shall be carried on and the activities which may be conducted therein; and (b) subject to part VII, remain in effect for a minimum period of 15 years of operation with an option to extend its effectiveness for a further period. (6) Upon the issue by the Minister of his Export Business Certificate, under the Designated Processing Areas Act, in respect of an aquaculture exporting business pursuant to sub- section (4), any Certificate of Compliance issued pursuant to section 15 of the Designated Processing Areas Act, in respect of such business shall automatically expire and cease to have CAP. 280. businesses.