‘I don’t gamble’ but industry will boost VI economy- Premier Fahie
“Innovation is the only way we are going to be able to strengthen our economy beyond whatever we saw before, and we are going to have to allow for different layers of innovation, to strengthen our economy and our tourism sector and the whole sector overall,” he said.
Hon Fahie was at the time speaking as a guest on the Monday, April 12, 2021, edition of the Umoja Show on ZBVI 780 AM, alongside host Cromwell Smith aka Ed Ju Enka.
More innovation in tourism sector
Promising to explore more innovation, the Premier said Virgin Islanders will be encouraged to bring forward unique tourism ideas to fast track their trade license to as short as three days.
However, while some religious groups have rebuked plans of the establishment of a gambling industry in the territory, the Premier said the industry will still be explored as an economic booster given the legislation has already been approved.
The Virgin Islands Gaming and Betting Control Act 2020 was passed at the Ninth Sitting of the Second Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) at Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff's Bottom, Tortola on June 18, 2020.
“We have a lot of interest with persons locally and abroad dealing with the gaming, and we want to add the online feature to it,” he said.
Alcohol legal but drunkenness not promoted - Premier Fahie
The Premier reminded that like gaming, alcohol is an industry; however, drunkenness is not promoted in the Virgin Islands and that the consumption of alcohol is still a choice.
“In a case like this here, you would have to know how to make sure that we allow for this to come in as an industry, and how do we regulate it,” he said.
31 Responses to “‘I don’t gamble’ but industry will boost VI economy- Premier Fahie”
i say this. the government of the bvi have 2 cruise ship sitting in port for months now. If i have government i would of made some arrangement with the owner of such requesting for the period at port. if locals can experience the different pleasures of a cruise ship, note every one entering to pay a small fee towards the government. all monies made on the boat stay to the boat.
ans ==d they talking about stayvacation. one sitting in port for months
Every thing else has gone out of most people's range, and greedy business minds don't care about people's well-being anymore, only money and more money.
When last salaries for any industry went up? How often does prices for everything, especially supermarkets and other items go up? Everyone who is suffering the awful daily pains knows the answers to those questions.
Gambling carries no attraction to me either but it’s better to legalize adult activity for safety sake than have people be out on the streets.
Plus cruise ships have gambling on board now they may be allowed to stay overnight.
Or a good way for certain local people to clean dirty money through chips and cash?
Kinda like, you know, horse race.
Also, the night life in the BVI needs serious improvement. Most Caribbean islands you go to, there’s a “strip” lined off with bars, lounges, clubs and restaurants where tourist can easily identify them and spend time there partying and having fun. Currently most of the night life has a “locals only” feel to it, there is absolutely no diversity.
This place needs serious improvement. The ports alone are subpar and outdated compared to other Caribbean islands.
We are sinking because we "building the VI" aka with the remnants aka potential brainless voters.
Using these paupered Caribbean Islands as examples to follow is over the top stupidity brought on by some elected members need for power at any price.