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'Gov’t business travel must be worth it' – Hon Lorna G. Smith
Hon Smith’s comments came while a guest on the June 24, 2024, edition of Talking Points radio show on ZBVI 780 AM where she was questioned about the controversy surrounding frequent trips by Government officials.
“Let me make it clear, this was probably my second or third trip within 13 -14 months that I've been in office,” the Deputy Premier said.
“I do think that trips should be worth it. Government business travel must be worth it. People in China, they do business very differently… they want you to come, they don't want to just deal with you virtually,” she added in relation to a recent Asia Trade Mission.
As part of a BVI Asia Trade Mission, led by the Deputy Premier, meetings were held in Hong Kong and with the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) in Shenzhen, to foster international economic and trade cooperation.
Advancing potential for economic growth
The Shenzhen meeting for example, was hosted by Deputy Director General Ms Haobo Yang and focused on trade promotion development between the Virgin Islands and Shenzhen, with a focus on the synergy between the VI’s financial services industry and Shenzhen’s industrial base and attended by stakeholders.
“So the objective of going, having not gone since 2018 was to advance certainly the potential for the economic growth in our financial services… growth in and among our professionals, as well as the entire business,” she said.
While the Deputy Premier in June 2024 had reported that Industrial trade growth between VI and China was 'increasing year on year', she revealed that the VI; however, had seen a drop off in the number of active companies in the Financial Services Sector, especially from China in the first quarter of 2024, hence the need for the trip.
While overall figures still remain high in the financial sector, with some 370,000 active companies, she said there was need for the VI to reassure itself and talk with the industry on new product offerings in the sector.
Representatives from Shenzhen’s China Chamber of Commerce, Qianhai Mawan International Service City, a variety of local Shenzhen companies, as well as members of the CCPIT executive body also formed part of meetings with the VI delegation to discuss key issues with the VI Government.
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22 Responses to “'Gov’t business travel must be worth it' – Hon Lorna G. Smith”
Talk about all the medical labs spread throughout Ukraine by NATO and its forces. Chemical warfare on your doorstep? I would have bombed their @$% too!!!
But seeing how the bvi prominent families are very tight nit on keeping things exclusive to their families and friends I guess it might not happen until greed in involved like Andrew case in selling out the country
a set of them run during the last election but when last you seen one of them in your village
As a matter of fact those who actually made it into the House of Assembly are now 2 busy to know on your door….once campaign starts you think they live in yu house
2027 we need serious people; let’s get 13 good women on the ballots