Big mistake! Gov’t taking away pioneer status — Skelton
Opposition Leader Ronnie Skelton claimed that the government has halted its policy of granting pioneer status to those initiating new business ventures in the territory.
Pioneer status generally refers to a designation given to certain businesses or investors that are among the first to develop, invest in, or promote new industries or economic activities within the BVI.
This status is traditionally accompanied by various incentives or benefits aimed at encouraging economic growth and diversification. These incentives often include tax breaks, duty exemptions on imported goods, or other financial benefits.
The idea is to attract foreign investment and expertise to help develop sectors that are not yet fully established in the BVI. By doing so, the government hopes to stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and reduce reliance on a limited number of industries.
“I am even hearing on the street from business people that the little bit of benefits that the government was giving business people, [such as] encouragement of industry, pioneer status and all this stuff, they’re taking it away from the people now,” Skelton said in the House of Assembly.
According to Skelton, this is a serious mistake on the government’s part. He argued that it is important for the government to encourage its people and said this is especially so given the current economic circumstances.
“All you’re gonna do is cause the cost of living to increase. We’re making mistakes. But, some foreigner comes with $50 million to tell you they want to build a hotel, you give them everything free. But your own people here who are spending $50 million, they’re insignificant? You’re making a mistake. We’re making a terrible mistake,” he insisted.
Skelton claimed that businesses in the territory are at risk and need every incentive they can get. He endorsed a claim by Sixth District Representative Myron Walwyn that small businesses need support to help ’tide them over’ during difficult times.
“They can be made to pay back, but they can’t go to a bank,” Skelton argued. “They can’t, if they go to a bank, you can’t get the money in no reasonable time. If these people have existing establishments, it’s easy to do it. But we can’t continue to sit here and let the people in the White House tell us that we can’t help our people. We’ve got to find ways to help our people.”
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Anyone???
THE PREMIER ISN’T READY FOR PRIME TIME
Sad days are ahead of us.
The ghost stepped out of the closet and a lot of people on the streets atmre saying he shoDDa stayed there , that’s one imof the reason why they couldn’t come together and form the government in the last election , don’t blame bme its what I heard on the streets
That’s what happens when you have amateur politicians who have never even sold a bag of popcorn to a person and who had to create every aspect of a business as they never received anything from their papi or mommy. Or they have a cousin brother sister mother etc in government. We have a bunch of jokers in BVI politics. They have no business acumen only one liners
Go to the BVI Gazette website and you will see which businesses were granted pioneer status, then consider the prices those businesses charge for goods and services.
We just might have to march this government out of office because this is way too much.
Ok but Ronnie is part of the problem because had he humbled himself and merged with the party, we wouldn’t be having this conversation today so whatever he want to complain about, he should just blame himself first. Stop blaming sowande. You put the country at risk through your actions. Up till now you all cannot say you joining together. You are not fit to be leader of anything. You have proven this by now. That must be why Lorna ran. Humble yourself and blame yourself for everything right now! Stop listening to Turnbull, he should be listening to you. Good riddance. All now so he have the country in a jeopardy. Merge now or stop talking. And Fraser do not need to be in it. You went and endorsed fraser and that caused a hold up too. Who to blame mhenn. Who to blame.
Skelton group have certainly done well out of pioneer status.
time to close the cookie jar
Big mistake, noted.
BIGGER mistake, PVIM failed to reunite with NDP.
BIGGEST mistake, PVIM endorses Fraser for the 3rd District.
BIGGESTEST mistake was averted when Lorna refused to see Ronnie crowned as Premier.
So who to blame again?
leave the lady alone she is working in the interest of the people , * skeL~e * is not her master / that set of wannabes aristocracts cannot even function together with any sort of integrity , because it doesn’t exist amongst them , if you open your eyes properly you will see its only an acting job for the public , and I heard it on the street