Trade Commission will facilitate certain Labour and SSB services
Part of the changes the public can expect when the Virgin Islands Trade Commission is established is the ability to access other government departments such as Immigration and the Social Security Board through the Commission.
Junior Minister for Trade, Shereen Flax-Charles describes it as having a “one-stop-shop”.
“So when you come to apply for a trade license, if you need to register for NHI, Social Security, Inland Revenue, we will facilitate that process. You won’t have to go stand in the line at any of those agencies,” Flax Charles said while speaking on a recent airing of the governing Virgin Islands Party’s (VIP) Let’s Talk radio show.
The junior minister also said the Commission will be streamlining the processes for work permit applications.
“If for some reason you would need to hire individuals who require a work permit, we will also facilitate that process through the Labour & Immigration departments and we are hoping that at some point later in the year all of this can be done online,” she stated.
The Commission is a statutory body that will replace the Department of Trade & Investment Promotion.
A series of public consultations are being had before the Commission is established and the next meeting will be in Anegada on Sunday, April 11.
Persons can also weigh in with questions, comments, or concerns regarding the Commission via [email protected] by April 15.
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This is good. I know many wont like it because they set up companies and never register with the other gov agencies and go years without paying taxes
Yeah right, dealing through two government agencies is going to be easier? The Act says you need certificates of good standing from the usual suspects to obtain a trade license. Who will be doing that?
Wow! Finally someone in government is thinking and seeing beyond the blinkers their departments usually wear.
Well Done!
Was saying this for years. Their employees are suffering to get their Good Standing from NHI, SS and Tax. Let see how this will be handle to renew trade license.
That is good news. I was saying since 2009/2010 that there needs to be an alliance formed with the SSB, Inland Rev and the Labour Dept but no one as the old people would say ‘took my height.’ I guess because I was a ‘likkle finger.’
You would be surprised the conflicting information held by these individual entities. Employers getting away with tons because of non existent checks and balances.
Good job! It’s about time. Make sure the laws are in place early for exchange of information because in the past you could ask one of those entities for information until your tongue drop out , you weren’t getting that.
I’ve been wondering why this hasn’t been implemented ages ago. Hopefully its a smooth process that can benefits us all.
This is a great move!.. Good thinking Minister Flax-Charlse
No it just needs one computer system shared by all in Govt. This entire commission is crap.