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NDP rejects link between Bank of Asia and BVI Airways

Photo by BVI Airways

The opposition National Democratic Party (NDP) has rejected suggestions that the troubled Bank of Asia and the failed BVI Airways project are connected in any way.

During an NDP Radio broadcast this week, Eighth District Representative Marlon Penn dismissed reports circulating on social media that sought to link the two matters, calling it “propaganda”.

“They are two separate entities in themselves, and I do not know how one could sort of try to tie the two together,” Penn stated. “As far as my understanding was, they have nothing to do with the other.”

Questions about possible links arose after Bank of Asia, which was licensed to serve the financial services industry in the BVI, was placed in liquidation last month. The failed BVI Airways project has long been a source of public controversy, following the previous NDP government’s loss of millions of dollars in a failed attempt to launch the airline.

Penn cautioned against public speculation on the Bank of Asia’s situation while the matter remains in the courts. “It would be irresponsible of us to speculate on these matters. I think as a responsible leader, we will not speculate at this point,” he stated.

He also called on the government to provide clarity to the public about the extent of the territory’s exposure to the bank. “I think it is important for the Premier to make a statement on this, especially in terms of what he can share,” Penn explained.

“You are hearing a lot of numbers being thrown out there in terms of government exposure, and I think that is important for us to know and give people some level of comfort, especially those persons who might have had deposits in the bank,” Penn argued.

Bank of Asia was established to provide digital banking services to the BVI’s international financial services sector, particularly to clients who faced difficulties opening traditional bank accounts. The bank’s collapse marks the first such failure in the territory since the early 1980s.

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5 Comments

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  1. Well my peace! says:

    The hypocrisy of politics is the biggest turn off for me. The host bishop cline said last night that people should give the NDP a chance to lead again because they have a great track record of leadership and performance. Rewind to 2016-2019, wasn’t it the same Cline who was the greatest critic of the NDP calling them incompetent and corrupt. Wasn’t he the same one that criticized Dr. Smith publicly over his management of the finances which caused Dr. Smith to fire him as chairman of the Health Services Authority?
    Wasn’t he criticizing Hon. Mark Vanterpool for the way that roads were being paved? Didn’t he criticize the NDP over BVI Airways?
    He dragged the NDP down to ground while he tried to uplift his friend Ronnie who formed PVIM because he lost his leadership bid for the NDP
    Fast forward to 2025 – now the NDP all of a sudden has a great history of leadership and people must vote for them.

    What has changed? – well Cline’s best friend Ronnie is now back with the NDP and Cline himself will be a candidate with the NDP. These people really believe that we are all fools. These people are all for themselves!

    Like 29
    Dislike 1
  2. Cline put back on Board of HSA says:

    Putting him back on the board oF HSA was a bad move , him algo with the Chairman will now ensure that NOTHING under the VIP will be implemented . Come on VIP be more strategic for gods sake.

    Like 5
    Dislike 4
  3. BuzzBvi says:

    Maybe that is where the $7,000,000 of the VI people money was put.
    VI Gov not good at Airlines, Banks, Crypto, Agriculture, Infrasturcture, Hotels, Ports, Airports, Work Permits, Fishing, Land Development, Window, Tint, Transparency.

    Like 12
    Dislike 1
  4. KILLO says:

    NDP did more for this country since Lavitys VIP built that college than VIP has done since Lavity Built the college. VIP has been the Mistake government and confused.

    Like 14
    Dislike 5

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