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‘BVI can be the brain bank of the world’ – Hon Sharie B. deCastro

- First Innovation Week in VI launched
Innovation Week or iWeek was launched today October 25, 2019 at a press conference led by Acting Premier and Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities Honourable Kye M. Rymer (R5), left and Junior Minister for Trade and Investment Promotion Honourable Sharie B. deCastro (AL), right. Photo: VINO
Innovation Week or iWeek is part of a strategy being implemented by the government of the Virgin Islands (VI) in the promotion of small businesses, a sector that is seen as having the possibility of becoming the ‘Brain Bank’ of the world. Photo: VINO/File
Innovation Week or iWeek is part of a strategy being implemented by the government of the Virgin Islands (VI) in the promotion of small businesses, a sector that is seen as having the possibility of becoming the ‘Brain Bank’ of the world. Photo: VINO/File
Programme of activities for Innovation Week 2019. Photo: Facebook
Programme of activities for Innovation Week 2019. Photo: Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Innovation Week or iWeek is part of a strategy being implemented by the Government of the Virgin Islands (VI) to equip new startups and small businesses with innovative ideas and advice from some of the most brilliant entrepreneurial minds of the territory.

iWeek was launched earlier today October 25, 2019 at a press conference led by Acting Premier and Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities Honourable Kye M. Rymer (R5) and Junior Minister for Trade and Economic Development, Honourable Sharie B. deCastro (AL).

The first Innovation Week (iWeek), which will provide an opportunity for entrepreneurs and the wider community to gain access to a plethora of knowledge and resources, will be held from October 28 to 31, 2019.

iWeek and its programme are a joint initiative between the Government of the Virgin Islands and the European Union (EU). The week of events is being funded by the EU under the Overseas Countries and Territories Association (OCTA) Innovation Programme.

‘Innovators can be handsomely rewarded’- Hon deCastro

The programme is being executed under Hon deCastro’s portfolio. Addressing reporters, she said: “The BVI can be the brain bank of the world, churning out ideas on how to tackle issues that affect people, places and businesses. And, for those ideas, innovators can be handsomely rewarded.”

Hon deCastro further stated it is the duty of Government to do all it can to ensure businesses, especially new businesses and small business, feel supported and surrounded by tools that continue to make them feel like conducting business in the Virgin Islands is still worthwhile.”

Innovative Business Lab

Innovation Week is also designed to herald the opening of the Innovative Business Lab to be opened in 2020.

“The establishment of this lab is our tangible way of supporting businesses and new startups in a space designed to nurture their brand and assist their clients to be able to conduct business with them in a professional environment.”

Hon deCastro said the objective is for businesses to have for the first time a home to call their own outside the walls which they pay to house their operations.

Upon the opening of the lab, on a weekly and monthly basis there will be opportunities for collaboration, interaction and partnership fostered in an environment designed for entrepreneurs to win.

2020, which echoes an old campaign slogan of Hon deCastro, is anticipated to be a year of vision and innovation.

iWeek itinerary:

On Monday, October 28, 2019 Hon deCastro will take the time to speak to persons directly about Innovation Week and more about the Innovative Business Lab through a virtual launch.

On Tuesday, October 29 from 5:30pm, several young business owners will participate in a forum where their experiences in business will be given an ear and document in addition to their input garnered on the Innovative Business Lab. “Anyone interested is also invited to join from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at Maria’s by the Sea’s Tortola Room.”

On Wednesday, October 30 from 10:00 am to 3:00pm, is the Tech Talks. Similar to the popular TED Talk series, these sessions will be open to the public and will bring together the brightest BVI minds innovative in business to share their best practices.

On Thursday, October 31, which is dubbed STEM Day, will involve the youngest minds to STEM: science, technology, engineering and math and its daily applications within our lives. Through the process of exploration and discovery, young people will learn by doing STEM activities while enjoying themselves in an environment that develops critical thinking and problem solving.

Later that evening, there will an exhibition and competition for the logo for the Innovative Business Lab. This will begin at 5:30pm and end by 7:30pm.

Graphic artists will also have the opportunity to design a logo with a dedicated font using signature pantones for the Innovative Business Lab. Logos must be easily transferable to collaterals like brochures, presentation slides and business cards and other promotional material like shirts, mugs and other paraphernalia. A trophy and an iPad Pro will be up for grabs.

15 Responses to “‘BVI can be the brain bank of the world’ – Hon Sharie B. deCastro”

  • cay (25/10/2019, 18:25) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    the young generation running the show
  • Brain bank (26/10/2019, 06:59) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Yeah - we are all Nobel prize winners in the BVI!
  • rewrsdffds (26/10/2019, 07:19) Like (18) Dislike (9) Reply
    Sharie, all you seem good for is nice speeches. You definitely ain’t cutting it.
  • Kingfish (26/10/2019, 09:22) Like (21) Dislike (0) Reply
    The BVI will have to do a 1000% turnaround as it relates to employees, can you imagine being the brain of the world and your employees move with the speed of a turtle, governments department who will not reply to correspondence
    for months if ever they do reply.

    This plan will not get off the drawing table, time and resources would be better spent by improving costumer services in both the public and private sector. The key to any successful operation is qualified and responsible employees, which sadly is badly missing in the BVI.
    • to kingfish (26/10/2019, 21:43) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
      Do you know how many people have left BVI, but return every single time? Then there are those who leave, go as far as Malta or go to the US, marry but check them on the BVI Boards STILL bashing BVI, still can't forget about BVI, still can't move on with their new fantastic life in their new country which is so much better where they are.


      Wait Kingfish - I read too fast. I thought you said a 1000 turnaround as in "1000 would leave the country." I re read. My bad. Carry on.
  • hello (26/10/2019, 10:03) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Time to invest in education?
  • pat (26/10/2019, 10:12) Like (7) Dislike (11) Reply
    Very good initiative vip ah work
  • question (26/10/2019, 11:49) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    It's a good idea, but why is government competing with the private sector? Why not partner with people who are already doing or attempting to do this? SMH.
  • vex (26/10/2019, 13:47) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    Ms de castro is a shinning star she is the future of the VIP and of the BVI
    • YAWN (26/10/2019, 19:53) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      It was an NDP initiative. Thank her for at least moving it forward.
  • Lovely Day (26/10/2019, 21:30) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Look all of you all need to lay up off of that VIP haterade you all be drinking. Don't you all ever get tired of that toxic, and low energy life coming on here with the same regurgitation? I mean I wasn't an NDP fan (still am not) but even I had to let it go after you all put them back in and they were humbug-ing up the country.


    We get it. You don't like VIP policies and never will. I feel the same about NDP. I will tell you something though. Like attracts like. If you continue to wallow in that hateful low vibration, that is what you will continue to attract in your life (ask any Zen Master) and you will continue think VIP is the problem.


    Ask yourself this. Is what you are doing today getting you closer to where you want to be?


    The fault dear haterators is not in your stars, but in yourselves.

  • Utopia (27/10/2019, 01:41) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Better get a brain CT scanner up and running at the hospital. All citizens will now require a brain scan when entering the BVI. Remember our motto," Brains, Vision, Intelligence."


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