London Office can play significant role more than ever- Kedrick Malone
Updating the media on plans for 2012, today February 28, 2012 at Central Administrative Complex, Mr. Malone said the Virgin Islands is being shaped by unprecedented activities and that unprecedented events including the global economic recession and the unprecedented pressures on the financial services and the global financial crisis are going to be shaping what happens in the relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union and the VI and such activities present the London Office with unprecedented opportunities and unprecedented challenges.
The Director noted that the Office has already been working with the new Government on charting the way forward and over the last two weeks has been engaged in meetings at various levels all in getting a clear understanding of the work and policies of Government. He noted too that the London Office has already played host to Premier Dr. D. Orlando Smith, Deputy Premier Dr. Kedrick Pickering and Minister for Education and Culture Hon. Myron Walwyn.
Speaking on the effectiveness of the London Office, Mr. Malone said it has been extremely effective with its presence in London. “It says to the world and the business community and the various sectors and to the parliament that the territory has a seriousness about international programmes and certainly being a global player in financial services and being a global tourism destination you need to be there, you have to be present, you have to be represented and you have to be represented by your people of the Territory. I think that makes a big difference.”
Mr. Malone added that UK Parliamentarians are very appreciative of dialoguing with someone from the Territory and pay extra attention to what is being said and that they also feel that when they ask a question they are given an answer from the perspective of the Territory.
“It’s good that when officials come to the Territory that you already have a place where you can have your programmes established and you have relationships already established that you can benefit from. I think that is invaluable when you are a global country like the BVI.”
Asked what the London Office would like to see happen Mr. Malone said it is important for the people of the Territory to be more aware of what is happening internationally and how that is impacting or will impact the Territory. “Certainly we can see in financial services that in the UK Parliament there are almost daily discussions about tax issues and the unprecedented pressure that the UK and other countries are under and that certainly is having an impact on financial services as regulations change....There are regular discussions on air passenger duty which impacts travels out of the UK to the Territory including the Caribbean.”
Mr. Malone noted too that there are daily discussions about environmental issues that affect the Territory and that it has an obligation to meet the requirements of the Agreements that the UK makes with the United Nations and other agencies. “There are so many different areas where our interests are tied to the interest in the UK and the European Union...”
According to the Director, the London Office is there to have engagements to ensure that the good name of the BVI is protected. “When you have a good name like the BVI you really have to make sure that things remain that way.”
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