Local businesses must be main drivers of BVI’s economic progress
Premier and Minister for Finance Dr Natalio Wheatley has expressed that businesses and entrepreneurs within the territory must be the main drivers behind economic progress in the Virgin Islands as they have the wherewithal to sustain the economy.
Speaking at the Forge Builders Expo over the weekend, Dr Wheatley noted that business owners tend to have the ingenuity to execute tasks which can keep the territory’s economy afloat.
“We must depend on ourselves to create the business necessary to sustain our economy. It is not necessary for government officials to be able to come up with the ideas necessary to be able to drive the economy. What are you really going to do? That is really the responsibility of the people who have the ingenuity, the industriousness, the innovativeness to enable to manifest the ideas that have dwelled within your mind, and you are putting into practice,” the Finance Minister said.
Meanwhile, speaking on the turnout of the event, the Premier said he was impressed with the quality of business presentations and the portfolio they possess. He noted that the businesses in the territory have been doing a good job and he appreciated that they can let people know about the work they have done.
“Of course, I am familiar with a lot of these businesses, but I was not familiar with their full portfolio, and it is certainly impressive, and they are getting this type of exposure because sometimes we are not quite sure of the resources we have in our society. I have seen new businesses that started out two or three months ago,” Dr Wheatley said.
“I have no idea who they were before, and I have an opportunity to see them and in fact I have some projects coming up that would benefit them. I am grateful to be invited so I could familiarise myself with these businesses. I need these businesses to be given opportunities as a result of this type of exposure,” the Premier added.
The Finance Minister noted his government wants to unlock the potential of the business community in the Virgin Islands through an increased partnership with the government.
“We are going to facilitate, streamline, we are going to accommodate and of course, we recognise that the business community are the ones that create value in our economy. They create revenue for the government that pays our salaries, and bills and develop our infrastructure et cetera and these businesses create jobs, so the government does not have to employ everybody, and they create business opportunities for other people and provide a livelihood for them and successive generation. It is very important, and this is what we need,” Dr Wheatley said.
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Is this what his brother told him to say or was it OJ?
How you going to have businesses when only locals can open a business. Does this happen anywhere else in the world Slow Andy? Please feel free to continue the racism. BVI=APARTHEID
Please address the problems. We cannot wait months and years for work permits. Sort it out as Cayman and even Anguilla have done.
GO HIRE SOME LOCALS
I have done business all over the world. In my experience BVI has the worse labour laws and labour department, the most mindless government bureaucracy , is the most backward place in the so called first world and has the most anti business attitude of any place I have ever been.
Best of luck.
Everything you and your friends do is make doing business in the BVI more difficult.
You really are a two faced “leader” Nathalie.
You and your ministers should be the ones to practice honesty with our money in regards to how you generally spend it. Because of that body poor, bad spend in every administration is the reason why we the poor and country is at this cross road. Give back the greedy bill money and other fringes and use the money for more dire issues!!
Then why tax the h**l out of small business and entrepreneurs? If small business play such a vital role then encourage them with less taxes and assistance. What a two faced A** Clown. Slow Wande is the slowest Premier in the history of this place. Trust that he will figure stuff out in another year from now
This is so the big named belongers can continue to rake in the cash at the expence of the little guy. The way it’s always been.
making a profit in any local BVI business with all the bureaucratic red tape and fees here. Easier to give up and find a government job for life.
The advisers of this young man need to have a second look at their strategy. I read the post here and non is ever in favor of anything he says. It cannot be just hecklers. He comes off arrogant and unintelligent. With a Doctorate he must have some level of intelligence. A New marketing strategy and futuristic focus is required to turn this man into a notable leader. His statements are making him look like a fool – and I am sure that he is not a fool. Misguided and on the wrong agenda maybe.
What happen to the white House that Fahie and Maynard rented in Miami with corrupt intent..Morning Braff we are waiting and depending on you to get the follow up going. We need to know..
What lol
Don’t mind this man talking non sense they love to get on Media and pull on people heart string
SMH
The same businesses you want to possibly jeopardize with your ridiculous proposed trade license fee hikes? The same businesses you double tax at a ridiculous 7 percent? Come on now.