BVI News

Chamber of Commerce rebrands

Chairman of the BVI Chamber of Commerce, Shaina Smith.

The BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association unveiled its rebranding as the BVI Chamber of Commerce (BVICC) yesterday, August 22, marking a pivotal moment in the organisation’s history.

The occasion was attended by Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley as well as Deputy Premier Lorna Smith, who both offered congratulatory remarks.

Shaina Smith-Archer, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, set the tone with a demonstration of gratitude for the collective support the organisation has received over the years.

“Business is inherent to our Virgin Islands heritage, where post-emancipation life was run by the local farmer, fishermen and other small businesses that supported our ancestors’ survival, we must never take for granted our humble social and economic beginnings that were fostered through innovation to create opportunities,” Smith-Archer said.

Reflecting on its 54-year legacy, the Chairman underlined the BVICC’s commitment to fostering business development through advocacy, workshops, and essential programmes like the Junior Achievement Programme and National Culinary Team Programme.

Smith-Archer, while giving some insight behind the rebranding, said the board saw the opportunity in 2022 to strengthen the organisation and more efficiently advocate for the small business sector by separating into its two organisations – the Chamber of Commerce and the Yachting Hotel and Tourism Association.

Meanwhile, Premier Wheatley emphasised the critical role of the private sector in the BVI’s economic fabric and acknowledged the symbiotic relationship between a thriving business community and overall economic strength.

Premier Wheatley expressed his government’s readiness to collaborate with the Chamber of Commerce, sharing his keen interest in initiatives such as apprenticeship programmes and business-friendly policies, such as the government’s RATED programme.

Dr Wheatley also echoed the Chamber’s concerns regarding bureaucracy, assuring attendees of ongoing government efforts to streamline services and reduce impediments faced by businesses.

He also welcomed the Chamber’s insights in refining these endeavours, reflecting the shared goal of an enabling business environment.

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6 Comments

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  1. Barry says:

    “yo will hear”

  2. Farmer says:

    FYI : Fishing and Farming – even village shop type ‘businesses’ in the post emancipation, pre development period ,were, for the most part, done on a barter and community/family sharing basis to make sure every one was supported and survived/flourished.

    These are not the roots from which our current competitive, capitalist, corporate and exploitative economy has grown from.

    We need to be honest to our selves and not reimagine the past to justify the present.

  3. Salty Fish says:

    This is hilarious!

    Same old narcissistic self-centered leadership re-branding into the same do nothing, waste of time organization that only offers their member businesses cheap words, false promises, with zero representation, and no power to influence anything!

    This is just a little fiefdom to try and give herself some semblance of being and justification while she prays to maintain her conflicting government contracts that further diminishes any hope of the CCHA being anything!

    Same applies to the other person on VG and her rival upstart CCHA for the elite in North Sound.

    Small hint for both you ladies – Try and put the businesses ahead of yourselves, show there is substance behind your current hollow words, and get out and do something more than sitting on your thrones with your toothless criticisms all viewing what looks to the rest of us to be desolate wasteland associations!

  4. Fraud says:

    Where does the $ come from. Subscriptions? Really? Subsidy me tinks….

    And in return. Nada.

  5. Waste of Time says:

    And this accomplishes what may I ask?

  6. Hmmmm says:

    Premier thinks we sleeping. He trying to push his failing apprenticeship programme on hotel and commerce chambers. Shania make sure government fund any apprentice sent to you. It’s a good idea but make sure he pays the persons.

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