BVI has a leadership problem with investment, says Smith
Territorial At-Large Representative Lorna Smith has criticised the state of leadership in the BVI, pointing to serious challenges in attracting and managing investment.
During the House of Assembly debate on the 2025 budget, Smith expressed concerns about red tape and ineffective policies that hinder economic growth and foreign investment, echoing sentiments shared by Sixth District Representative Myron Walwyn.
Smith pointed out that the BVI is “perhaps the most difficult country in the Caribbean with which to do business.”
Smith proposed that the BVI simplify its processes to make investment more appealing, particularly for international investors. She suggested looking towards successful models in neighbouring territories such as the Cayman Islands and US Virgin Islands.
“Where have we gone wrong? We have to find our way back. We clearly have a problem of leadership when it comes to investment,” she asserted.
She noted that excessive bureaucracy often delays key processes such as issuing non-Belonger landholding licences, which can take up to a year. “This can choke off investment,” Smith stated.
Lack of leadership
She also addressed the lack of leadership in facilitating new investment opportunities. While referencing the Premier’s budget address, she noted that investment promotion received minimal attention. “I looked more than once. I saw one sentence,” Smith said while suggesting the need for a stronger, more detailed plan to attract investors.
The legislator also lamented the state of infrastructure critical to investment, such as the Survey Department. Smith disclosed that out of 31 positions in the department, only 11 are filled. Furthermore, inadequate funding has left important survey records mouldy and unusable since the 2017 hurricanes.
“Ten thousand important survey records remain uncleaned,” she revealed.
Smith advocated for innovative measures like residence-by-investment programmes, which have proven successful in other jurisdictions. “For years, we have talked about residence-by-investment, but we’ve only talked about it,” she said.
Additionally, Smith underscored the importance of appointing a fiscal advisory council to guide investment strategies and promote economic growth. “We don’t have all the brains in here. Let’s use the brains we have,” she urged.
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Headline should read BVI has a leadership problem, full stop.
DIDN’T SHE KNEW THAT WHEN SHE WENT DOWN BY THE GOVERNOR THE FOREDAY MORNING AFTER ELECTION?
You had a chance to change it, but power was more important.
Both she and the member for the 6 trying to overthrow both Ronnie and Marlon in their quest for more power
Lorna tried to lay down with dogs and got bit by their fleas and ticks! @ Hint Hint – Ronnie does not seem to be ” in it” and feeling his role as Leader of the Opposition (LoO) as he cannot change the charted course of the ministers. Therefore I do not see him as the best person for LoO. What has he done with PAC? Nothing! Marlon seems to be heading the way of PU and Frazer. So, I ask you Hint Hint, what power does either Ronnie or Marlon have to take?
Both parties need to coalesce before the next general election and field a full slate of candidates to remove the useless VIP party once and for all!
Marlon should leave them with ndp let’s see how far they will get. Marlon quest for leadership was very much more received than his which only resulted with 2 members winning. The message has not changed so let them try again for the same results. Be wise or lose out.
Not doubting you because look at D6 party and they working on Mather hard hard. Mather need not get involved in that story.
The member for the 6th up and down picking who he want to run in which district those being people he can manipulate. If he knows what good for ndp he would stand down.
Those 2 outsiders wanna give away our country.
country already given away the bvi work force is made up outsiders. the local population already out number..
The heading for the story is quite fitting!
One cannot expect any better result when the person in charge of the country had never had to manage anything outside of his personal belongs. And those were given to him.
That’s our first mistake. The handling of the territory is over his head and we keep sinking. Get him out of there!
WE HAD A CHOICE OF A PERFECT GOVERNMENT WITH RONNIE AS PREMIER, FRASER WORKS, MYRON EDUCATION, MARLON HEALTH, MITCH LABOUR, LORNA FINANCIAL SVC, MATER JR MIN BUT DELILAH BLEW THE WHOLE THING WHEN SHE CROSSED THE FLOOR FOR MORE POWER.
Oh stop , they couldnt get it done , they were all power hungry and none would sacrifice for the greater good of Country. So they were unable to form a simple coalition but you want to give then a Territory to run? let them show that they can get that sorted first and the maybeeee thaey can move on the bigger things.
Wow, a Double Whammy for both Lorna and Myron. Good job!
“… Smith expressed concerns about red tape and ineffective policies that hinder economic growth and foreign investment, echoing sentiments shared by Sixth District Representative Myron Walwyn.”
VERY TRUE!
Our systems that were designed to promote BVIslander investment an BVIslander ownership have proven to be discouraging to both residents and foreigners alike. Trade, Customs and Labour all need to be made less daunting and speedier. Collectively they are a failure for the territory.
their investments is parking their money in a BC and invest in a fund with actual leadership not a government that cant deliver
No lies detected. I figured that out since 2007 and decided to invest elsewhere as much as I love the BVI.
Business is business. No business person has time to waste. Lost time is lost money. Too much red tape in this place. Intolerable.
Not only is the red tape a problem, it’s clear to me that you cannot get things done here in the BVI unless you are engaging in some quid pro quo scheme. That is partaking in corruption. Feed a few palms, and mountains move.
Well, I refuse to. I did not have to engage in such illegal practices elsewhere, and I will not do so at home. Thank God I have options that I can invest elsewhere, but what about those who don’t?
When the BVI sort itself out and there is a transparent and friendlier investment environment, people would invest. But until then, expect revenues to remain stagnant.
Change the ways you operate, and things can turn around. No one has time to sit around awaiting the country to get its act together.
You cannot even renew a professional license in this place by using a credit card. It’s cash with an old fashion 1970’s receipt book. Unacceptable. Lets do better.
she is a one termer
Many agree. NDP, VIP, PVIM whatever party she will not win. Even if district 4 get her brother back she will not win.
Very much so
What exactly is the leadership problem with investment? Perhaps not selling out the country. What do you call investment leadership.
Lets focus on making it user friendly for our own people first. That is a huge indicator before inviting international investors. Its not user friendly for our own populace. Why cant you make your payments online in the 20th century? Simple things like renewing your trade license every year. Why do I have to come in your office for that? What if i’m outside the territory? Why can’t I pay and file my SS online? Jesus, this is 2025! I’m not even going to touch on the internet connections, & frequent power outages, and service here in the BVI. You home trying to do an online class and you keep losing power, its like you living in Somalia. Before talking a heap of crap, make it make sense for your own people first.
SHUT YOUR STUPID ASZ, WE ALL KNOW EHY SHE CROSSED , AND IT WAS A BAD ONE , BUT YOU WITH YOUR DIRTY MIND STILL TRYING TO MAKE IT HER FAULT , IS FRAZIER MOVE A BETTER ONE , EH IDIOT ❓️ YOU NEED YO STSY ON YOUR YELLO SITE WHERE YOU IS THE SELF PROCLAIMED KING WITH THE WIG
PLEASE LEAVE THIS SITE CLEAN AND FREE OF YOUR EVIL MENTALITY