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‘VI must diversify to benefit from an open Cuba’ – VIP Top Brass

An open Cuba presents both opportunities and challenges for countries in the region including the Virgin Islands. Photo: Internet source
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Honourable Julian Fraser RA (R3) said that islands in the Caribbean have had a long time for Cuba opening up and presenting opportunities in tourism and other areas that they could benefit from and that diversification of the Virgin Islands economy is necessary in order to fully benefit.

He was responding to a caller on the VIP radio talk show Let’s Talk, heard on Wednesday February 4, 2015 on ZBVI 780 AM.

The caller asked, “With regard to Cuba opening up, how do you think this would affect the Territory?”

In response, Hon Fraser said that with Cuba opening up it will be important for the Virgin Islands to become more diversified.

“As far as Cuba opening up, that is something that Caribbean countries have had a long, long time to prepare for,” he said.

“Many of the Caribbean countries look at it as an advantage…to partner with Cuba and bring more tourists to the Caribbean. It is a challenge, we know that. That is why diversification is so important,” he said.

“What we have in our arsenal for tourism is our sailing waters, which is something you can’t find too many places in the world if any, and we have to capitalize on the traffic coming into Cuba,” he said.

Adding to the answer, senior member of the VIP, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) said that there are a lot of areas that the Territory needs to get into. “We have to be architects of the new BVI and everything that the BVI needs in terms of personnel we have it right here. What we need to do is stop square pegs in round holes and ensure that we utilize our people,” Hon Fahie said.

“We have the highest per capita percentage of college degrees. We have done well as a region and what we have to do now is utilize our knowledge to help us to build and draw the plan for the new BVI. And we could get this done,” he said, mentioning new economic activities such as manufacturing to complement the tourism.

“We must see when Cuba opens what areas we could capitalize on,” he said, adding that it would take leadership that ignores party politics so that persons with ability are used instead of party affiliation.

18 Responses to “‘VI must diversify to benefit from an open Cuba’ – VIP Top Brass”

  • please (16/02/2015, 16:09) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
    NOT.
    Cuba hasnt done anything since 1959. what is there to be scared about.
    • bam (16/02/2015, 17:30) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
      You will be surprised how many wants to go there though.
      • @bam (16/02/2015, 19:11) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
        I am from BVI and I have visited Cuba several times. No one has never stopped me from going. The tourism industry there is great and except for the ancient vehicles, I love it and go back as often as I can. There are direct flights to Cuba from Jamaica, Panama, DR and also Canada and I've met tourists from all over the world there. So, people who want to go are free to go there.
    • @ please (17/02/2015, 06:30) Like (21) Dislike (2) Reply
      Has the bvi done anything in the last three years?
  • bvi (16/02/2015, 16:19) Like (2) Dislike (13) Reply
    Fraser is light years ahead of deeds ppl
    • Kingfish (16/02/2015, 17:23) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
      @bvi: and your are light years behind everyone , the correct word is "these " not " deeds". Get with the program.
  • Raja Smith AT-LARGE (16/02/2015, 16:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yes, we need to lubricate the economy and create a robust labor department. that's what we need.
  • truth be told (16/02/2015, 17:33) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    There is nothing to be scared about but the fact that Cuba has some of the best doctors and dentists in the world will be a benefit to them in many ways because I'm sure a lot of people from all over including the U.S. will now be able utilize their services. Their health services are also at an affordable rate so I'm pretty sure this in itself will benefit them tremendously. And their track record in that department speaks for itself. Just a little food for thought
    • @ truth be told (16/02/2015, 19:15) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Cuba has its flaws, but they have prospered in making sure that the entire country is literate. Their education system is exceptional and free for all Cubans so they have no excuse for not being whatever they want to be in life. They have an excellent medical school and medical tourism is a booming industry there. The doctors there are regular people with no hype about it. When they leave the hospital, there isn't anything spectacular about their profession but they are very, very educated and advanced. I've had health care there and the rate there is dollar for dollar. I agree with you that their track record speaks for itself
    • Greedy (17/02/2015, 08:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Cuba, like many other countries who started out being affordable, when that US dollar starts trickling in, the prices are going to be based on US base cost, so medicals, dentals, hotels, etc. are going to take on the higher cost as other destinations because US investors will be there dictating the prices for their offerings. So soon, back to a level-laying field.
  • Intelligence (16/02/2015, 19:10) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Is Cuba capitalizing on BVI! Havana being opened up by the US as the financial services hub of the Caribbean. Central registry, TIEA's and other G20 pressures driving all caribbean financial services business into a special economic zone under US control. Much more research and intelligence required into the future impacts of Cuba on the BVI.
  • Sweet (16/02/2015, 19:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    nice ride
  • cay (16/02/2015, 22:28) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    if the NDP stays in power the BVI will be another Cuba trust us
  • mvw (16/02/2015, 23:10) Like (0) Dislike (14) Reply
    the VIP and Fraser are busy working, working so leave them alone and yes go green is the best thing to do because the colour will look wonderful on you. Vote VIP! YES!
  • tellme (17/02/2015, 08:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Cay, How will the BVI be another Cuba? You have not expounded on that statement. It is leaving the reader to assume and you know how to define that word as*s/out of/u/and/me. So I don't know what you mean by your statement.
  • free cuba (17/02/2015, 11:13) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    why is everybody rewarding castro for running a dictatorship, let cuba first hold free and fair elections before we reward them with our business


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