UPDATE: Trade Minister Hon Smith to continue Business Round Table meetings
The purpose of the district consultations is to identify how the Government of the Virgin Islands can best support the Territory’s business community in order to help drive economic growth.
The first consultation meeting took place on June 21, 2023, at Maria's by the Sea.
Revised schedule
The remaining schedule is as follows:
Wednesday, July 12, 2023, District 9, Olde Yard Inn – Valley, Virgin Gorda
Saturday, July 15, 2023, District 2, Methodist Church - Jost van Dyke
Tuesday, July 18, 2023, District 3, Valerie O. Thomas Community Centre, Sea Cows Bay
Wednesday, July 19, 2023, District 1, West End Community Centre
According to a press release from Government Information Service (GIS), July 10, 2023, the Labour Commissioner, Chief Immigration Officer and Senior Trade Officer will be in attendance to answer any related questions.
For further information, persons can contact the Ministry for Financial Services, Labour and Trade at 468-2096.
See previous article published June 13, 2023
Deputy Premier Hon Smith consulting with business leaders across VI
Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade, Honourable Lorna G. Smith, OBE will begin a series of district consultations to identify how the Government of the Virgin Islands can best support the Territory’s business community.
The first consultation will take place on June 21, 2023, at Maria's by the Sea, and will focus on the Territory’s small and medium-sized business leaders.
Honourable Smith, according to a Government Information Service (GIS) press release today, June 13, 2023, said, “Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME)s are the economic lifeblood of any country and in order to fully understand the needs of our SME leaders, it is important to hear from them directly on their priorities and challenges in order for them to continue to contribute to this economy.”
'We were elected on a promise'- Hon Smith
The Deputy Premier said she is making inroads on some of these matters but, to ensure that businesses can thrive, they need to be able to access the right skills and services.
“We were elected on a promise to help them do this, and I am committed to an ongoing working relationship with them to make sure it happens. I am truly looking forward to a good turnout and frank engagement between us,” she said.
Honourable Smith added that while tourism and financial services account for the majority of government revenues, 57% of the VI economic output in 2018 came from outside these sectors, and that there is a need to ensure that businesses have what they need to help drive economic growth.
Honourable Smith also announced that a review of the work permit system, has commenced and that she has met with banking leaders to see how they can better serve the people of the VI.
All meetings will be held from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM. The first meeting will combine Districts 4 and 5.
The Labour Commissioner will also be in attendance.
17 Responses to “UPDATE: Trade Minister Hon Smith to continue Business Round Table meetings”
Keep up the good work.
All statitory Boards BVI Electricity, sociAL Security board
What the helL wrong with BVI Ports Authority.
We needs our monies its been almost 4 hards years.
Why is the port not paying 2020 increments. Paying patsy lake a set of money for her building.
The place mash up we got to work in them conditions. Why the Governor not looking into our monies. We need our incrementS. No memo nothing WE just sitting in the dark. Theses people come here taking our monies and doing all kinds of things with our monies. We got family too we also human beins just like every one of them. The managers making big pay checks we the workers cannot get nothing. You gave the board members a raise but yet BVI Port staff cannot get anything. Pay us. Its high time someone look at our interest. Everytime something going with the monies. Honorable wheathley said the budget past for the increment and april the first quarter done gone. Not even a memo to explain why we didnt received our monies. BVI PORT STAFF NEED THEIR MONIES TOO. TOO MUCH LAIRS IN THIS PORT. SOMEONE NEED TO EXPLAIN WHATS HAPPENING. WE NEED OUR MONEY. PLEASE. THEN ALL WE HEARING IS GOSSIP WE GOING GET IT SOON AND STILL NOTHING.
STOP THE DAM LIES.
WE GOING TAKE THIS TO THE MEDIA. SOMETHING GOING ON. WE NEED OUR MONIES PLS.
We should be saying thank you Lorna for the next 4 years