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It's 'ridiculously difficult' to do business in VI– Skelton-Cline

- asked which politicians vying for office have true intentions of addressing those issues
Talk show host Claude O. Skelton-Cline has called out both the private and public business sectors in the Virgin Islands (VI) for what he said is an increasing difficulty in doing business in the Virgin Islands (VI). Photo: Facebook/File
He said while there are challenges in the public sector, it is not only about the persons working in the sector but could be systemic issues. Photo: VINO/File
He said while there are challenges in the public sector, it is not only about the persons working in the sector but could be systemic issues. Photo: VINO/File
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI – Talk show host Claude O. Skelton-Cline has called out both the private and public business sectors in the Virgin Islands (VI) for what he said is an increasing difficulty in doing business in the Virgin Islands (VI).

“It is becoming more and more increasingly difficult and downright ridiculously impossible to do business in this country. I can't even find a vocabulary in my lexicon to tell you what you already know how ridiculously difficult it is,” Skelton-Cline said on his Honestly Speaking radio show on ZBVI 780 AM on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. 

“Why is it so difficult throughout the public service? Into the private sector… Why is it so difficult to go into a government's department to just get the basic things you need to conduct to carry out, to maintain a business?” he added.

He said while there are challenges in the public sector, it is not only about the persons working in the sector but could be systemic issues.

Difficulty persists across industries - Skelton-Cline 

Skelton-Cline added that transactions as simple as getting a trade license, to doing banking, or even getting some food from a restaurant are difficult

“And are you hearing any of your politicians, any of your aspirants, discussing these matters? But all through the place, telling you a whack of stupidness? But that's not bad by itself, what's bad is that we believe this stuff,” he added.

He warned Virgin Islanders about buying into false and fake promises from politicians about issues that nobody has no intention of truly addressing in the Virgin Islands.

“Something as simple as getting the trade license, something as simple as getting proper people in the labor force to work at your establishments….  The issue of the labor force in our country, it's lawfully, woefully lacking, who's addressing that?” he further questioned.

24 Responses to “It's 'ridiculously difficult' to do business in VI– Skelton-Cline”

  • resident (20/03/2023, 09:40) Like (67) Dislike (1) Reply
    but it's easy for you to get contracts to do nothing
  • Bumble Bee (20/03/2023, 09:40) Like (34) Dislike (1) Reply
    Don't like his behaviour, but he is speaking truth.
    Almost everything is like pulling teeth without a dentist.
  • Real Macoy (20/03/2023, 09:56) Like (17) Dislike (1) Reply
    I strongly agree with you Claude. This have been a problem for 20 to 30 yrs are more.
    No proper government system all.
    May God help us all.
  • Well then (20/03/2023, 10:06) Like (21) Dislike (0) Reply
    Guess we should all just go to the government for a fraudulent contract instead, right?
  • hey (20/03/2023, 10:11) Like (25) Dislike (1) Reply
    You left out something you promised government work for all the money you collected and you never do nothing for the money so what are you talking about
  • Madussa (20/03/2023, 10:15) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why can't all banks be like motor vehicles with seating and you just pick a number and wait to be called. We are suffering like HELL standing on line for so long. I pity the elderly and handicap who have difficulty standing. Not one of the bank managers have a brain to solve this ongoing problem for years that we have been complaining about. NO RESPECT for the patrons. Disgraceful! I respect Motor Vehicles for treating us like humans.
    • Flora (21/03/2023, 18:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      And down there they take forever/ passport office as well. Smh . Slow as can be . Willful behavior for they know we need them and not the other way around.. sickening!!
  • UK resident (20/03/2023, 10:32) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    I live in the UK and our UK residents and business owners are sharing the same sentiments about living and doing business in the UK. It seems to now be a worldwide issue for each country and their citizen and not just a BVI issue.
  • My Take (20/03/2023, 10:34) Like (20) Dislike (0) Reply
    I have a problem with how this man used the VIP and now working hard to destroy them and get them out of office. This clouds anything he does or says even when it is worthy of saying.
    • @my take (20/03/2023, 16:23) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      CSC don't have an iota of shame, moral scrupples much less principles and ethics. He is just a greedy self centered individual scamming funds from wherever he can get it from. I am like you...Whatever CSC says, clouds the fairness of what he is saying because of his conniving, conceited and selfish intentions.
  • bvi (20/03/2023, 10:38) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Run we money back stop playing .
  • Amazing (20/03/2023, 10:47) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    Americans have the same complaint. I guess it is all the systems of government or the economy of scales.
  • Me (20/03/2023, 10:48) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    I was wondering if you still around
  • Very much so (20/03/2023, 10:59) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    First time I agree whole heartedly with my good friend.
    This is a definite issue that needs to be address.
  • WEW (20/03/2023, 12:10) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Don’t even think about starting a business that will compete with a big island name. You will simply be denied a business license.
  • VIP Supporter (20/03/2023, 12:28) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    CSC you have done us wrong. You are not a nice person.
  • BUSY BEE (20/03/2023, 13:58) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Government regulation is a huge roadblock, especially at the Labour Dept. and at Customs. No Welcome Mat out in front of their doors - ever.
  • Aunty Susan (20/03/2023, 16:06) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    Ask the young man who has built the country's first crematorium. Established vested interests and bureaucracy is stopping him from opening it. So the departed have to be shipped to St Thomas at great coat and without the dignity of their relatives being able to accompany them.

    Ask the hotel trying to to be able to rent cars to its guests. Months and months of inaction from the trade license department and made up rules about having to inspect the premises for parking space when they have had months to do so and know exactly where and what it is.

    And all involved in these enterprises are BVI Islanders.

    It's the Trade Blocking and Protection of the Elite Department in reality.

    We need Lorna Smith to kick ass.
  • You are so correct. (20/03/2023, 16:55) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Imaging trying to get status reports from NHI, SS, Inland Rev...Two days to get from Social security, 1 week to get from NHI...1 month to get from Inland Rev...Sometimes it almost come across as wilful, personal and or sabotage.
  • Facial Expression (20/03/2023, 18:38) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    is saying )> YA'LL ONLY SEEN A TINY FRACTION OF OF THE KIND OF SKILLZ THIS PLAYER POSSESS , HOPE YA'LL CAN HANDLE IT ???? ????
  • RIDICULOUSLY~ CSC ~ YAPPING (20/03/2023, 19:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    BOI U COULD NOT HAVE CHOSEN A BETTER NAME ???? ????
  • BVI SAND (21/03/2023, 07:27) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well I can agree from experience, labour Department under Mrs. MC Clean hand is a disaster. Passport office taking 1 month plus to issues a work Visa since they gone online and they dont even acknowlege your email, before it was only 4 to 5 days. SMH. doing business is really a no go here. No professionalism. I am tired and Fedup. No one cares about the Business peeson who is waiting on staff to carry on Business.
  • Fraud Skelton-Crime (21/03/2023, 08:43) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    The fact that he still has a platform to spew his garbage is hilarious.
  • Shhhhhhh (21/03/2023, 20:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Y is he ALWSYS talking doesn't he ever just SHUT UP


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