Left: Fireworks at Cane Garden Bay to signal the start of the New Year, 2020. Right: Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) says 2020 is the year visions come to reality. Photo: VINO

The Territory is invited to the Queen Elizabeth II Park from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm today, Janaury 1, 2020 for a ‘Time of Praise and Prayer’. Photo: GIS

The Government’s mission for 2020, according to Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), is to ensure that the people of the Virgin Islands are active participants and beneficiaries in the journey to transformation and prosperity. Photo: VINO/File

These are the words of an optimistic and grateful Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) as part of his New Year’s message to the Territory.

“Today is a new day, a time for a fresh start, and we thank God for His grace, presence and favour.  We thank God for life. We thank God for what He has done for us years gone and for what He will continue to do for us, individually and collectively. God indeed has made a way, and I firmly believe that the year 2020 will be a great one where BVILOVE will be excessively strong.”

According to Hon Fahie, he looks forward to great things in the name of “our Heavenly Father who will move mountains and barriers here on earth, in the British Virgin Islands. I know that He will cause walls to fall.”

A time for praise & prayer

The Premier then used the opportunity to invite the Territory to the Queen Elizabeth II Park from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm today, Janaury 1, 2020.

“We are taking an important pause for “A TIME of PRAISE and PRAYER” and join together in one accord to petition God for His favour as we all journey through the year 2020.

“We will meditate on His Word in 2 Chronicles chapter 20 and together we will have faith in the Lord our God and I know that we will be upheld as a people and as a Territory.”

Gratitude was extended to the BVI Christian Council for its “BVILOVE” in collaborating with the Government of the Virgin Islands on “this important commitment to our Lord.”

The Premier said the people of the Territory have many reasons to be full of pride, optimism and hope for they have inherited from their forefathers—the spirit of perseverance, which will continue to push them forward.

The 2020 mission

Hon Fahie then reflected on the 10 months of taking office, and noted that the new Government has accomplished many things together, with a lot still left to be done in this New Year.

“Together as one people, our Vision 2020 is to transform the Territory into a leading regional economy by 2025 through Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Local and Foreign Investment.

“Working with you the people, we will together work to build a resilient, globally competitive, diversified economy that leverages our position in the tourism and financial services markets.”

The Premier added that with greening the economy, the Territory will embrace new drivers such as digital businesses, and with the people actively and profitably engaged in these activities.

“Together, as a Territory, we will accelerate transformation for resilience and sustainability. Together we will embrace SMART strategies and Green Development, and create opportunities for individual and collective empowerment.”

The Government’s mission for 2020, according to Premier Fahie, is to ensure that the people of the Virgin Islands are active participants and beneficiaries in this journey “in the spirit of BVILOVE.”

“As we embrace the start of the New Year and the new decade, I wish God’s richest blessings on all the people of this Territory and visitors, and to our international partners. I pray for God’s guiding hands on all your noble endeavours.

“May your dreams and aspirations be realised and may you enjoy health, wealth and happiness.”