Premier Smith flip-flops on 'robust economy' usage
During a press conference held yesterday, November 12, 2013 the Premier was asked whether he maintains his position of the economy being robust. “I would not use the term robust because robust is a misunderstood and misused term but I am satisfied that what we are doing is good for the economy, it is important and necessary to grow the economy.”
The Premier of the Virgin Islands said he is aware that there are persons who would have lost jobs but said he also appreciates that there were many jobs created at the same time.
Asked to give a ratio of the jobs lost as opposed to those allegedly created, Premier Smith responded, “No I cannot give you that amount at this time but I can work at finding it, but no I cannot give you that amount at this time.”
He also said government has been trying to assist those persons who would have lost jobs to be placed in new job positions. “But in the mean time the overarching goal is to expand the economy so that there would be more jobs created,” said Premier Smith.
The Prospect Reef Development Project was mentioned as one of the projects that would create significant amount of jobs on Tortola.
Satisfied with performance of NDP after 2 years
“Of course I am satisfied,” said Premier Smith when asked if he was satisfied with the performance of the NDP government over the past two years.
Resorting to the blame game tactics that the NDP has been using ever since coming into office in 2011, Premier Smith said there were many initiatives started that were designed to generate jobs for the economy “but those were discontinued.”
He also said there are a number of initiatives that they are currently working on that are designed to once again stimulate the economy of the Virgin Islands. “It takes a little while before you can see the fruits of it.”
He said over the past two years government has reviewed the financial management system and expanded its reach in the area of tourism. “We have expanded our reaches as far as financial services is concerned and these are things which were important in setting the stage for the development of the economy.”
According to Premier Smith, within the coming weeks there will be more announcements of developmental projects that would put the VI in good stead.
“One cannot manage an economy by simply spending money that is saved. It would eventually come to an end. There must be some method of growing the economy, building the economy.”
It must be noted, however, that when the question was put to the Premier about the performance of the NDP government over the past two years, he responded “I think that is an unfair question.”
In addition to highlighting that government will soon be putting out a booklet highlighting its accomplishments, Premier Smith said he is satisfied that his government is intent on building the economy of the Virgin Islands by securing capital investments.
.png)
Follow Us On
38 Responses to “Premier Smith flip-flops on 'robust economy' usage”
Everybody else - jobs have been lost due to closures, downsizing, right sizing, etc as businesses struggle, so the economy can't be robust.
Premier, yes leave that word alone.
Everyone has a smart phone but still behave like theyr'e stupid!!
"Investopedia explains 'Robust'
Robustness can relate to both economic and statistical concepts. For statistics, a test is claimed as robust if it still provides insight to a problem despite having its assumptions altered or violated. In economics, robustness is attributed to financial markets that continue to perform despite alterations in market conditions. In general, being robust means a system can handle variability and remain effective."
Let's get behind his efforts
He never took and economics class in his life --Fact.
He never took and accounting class in his life -- Fact.
He is needed with the NHI but he refuses to focus on what he knows.
Summary: Average leader or no leader at all? You choose.
So Fraser studied economics? accounting? Fahie? Oneal? Omar? Dancia? I beg you hush your dumb a$$. That's why we spend big money sending our people away to top Universities to come back and work for Government earning six figure salaries, even more than the Ministers themselves. Their job is to guide the respective Ministries. Did HL Stoutt finish High School even? I'm done....