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‘BVI economy grown over two years’ – Premier Smith

-Locals and expats alike continue to cry out of hard times
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable D Orlando Smith continues to insist that there has been significant growth in the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO
Premier Smith was at the time addressing persons present at 'Christmas Around the World' on December 20, 2014. Photo: VINO
Premier Smith was at the time addressing persons present at 'Christmas Around the World' on December 20, 2014. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – In the face of continued loud cries of hardship with no sight of betterment being seen by many across the Territory and especially since the National Democratic Party (NDP) Government has stepped back into power Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable D Orlando Smith continues to insist that there has been significant growth in the Virgin Islands.

He continues to attribute the growth as having taken place especially during the period since the NDP has taken over the management of the Territory following the 2011 general elections.

“We have had a bit of a struggle in the BVI, as in most of the other parts of the world, for the past several years, thankfully with your help and with the contributions from everybody in the community we have been able to turn the corner and since for the past two years now we have shown growth in the economy, the GDP of the BVI which is significant, Premier Smith said.

He pointed out that continuing signs of the growth are evident in the number of road projects that are taking place around the Territory and the cruise pier development project. “These are all signs of activity that contributes to the growth of the BVI and particularly when you look at the Cruise Pier and the roads in the BVI; these are things that are designed to continue to promote especially tourism,” added Premier Smith.

This last repeating of the assurance of national growth was voiced over the past weekend, Saturday December 20, 2014 at the occasion of the 2nd annual ‘Christmas around the World’ held at the Central Administration Complex’s frontage.

While persons came out in sizable numbers this year, many were of the opinion that the extent of participation of countries and the quantities of foods that were brought out had significantly dropped from that of the previous year.

And according to one man from the St Vincent and Grenadines booth, “People seeing hard times, you see how they ain’t come out like last year, hard times hitting my a.. But we came and brought what we can at least me because it’s Christmas, not that I can afford it but it’s in the good will of the spirit of Christmas.”

That sentiment was expressed by several others who among other things said that come next year if the event is to go on Government may have to subsidize even more. “They provided the tents and the plates, cups and spoons and things like that but with the state of the economy and how things going it might have people coming out yes but the food will deplete if not subsidized somehow.”

“It’s all well to say the economy growing judging from projects, buildings going up and such like but look around… it’s the big money people doing these things and most times on the shoulders of the small man. The average person hasn’t had a pay increase in the past two, three years, look at it good,” said one.

Another said, “Last year employers started to cut back on giving bonuses, some robbing their employees blindly by not giving them their right vacation end of year packages and this year it is worse. Many more businesses private and public sent their employees into the Christmas season with their flat salaries, that’s all the signs you need to know that times getting harder and harder meh son.”

23 Responses to “‘BVI economy grown over two years’ – Premier Smith”

  • ABC (22/12/2014, 08:52) Like (38) Dislike (2) Reply
    more lies while the people suffer
    • Liat 521 (22/12/2014, 23:43) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      And one wonders why this goverment of the rich is confused by this cruel disconnect of the lilttle people
  • Well Sah (22/12/2014, 09:15) Like (38) Dislike (1) Reply
    He really taking we fo a set ah moo-moos!
  • sheer bull (22/12/2014, 09:17) Like (28) Dislike (1) Reply
    UTTER RUBBISH!
  • cries (22/12/2014, 11:23) Like (32) Dislike (0) Reply
    The people still suffering financially while he's comfortable.
  • call girl (22/12/2014, 11:44) Like (29) Dislike (0) Reply
    let he stay there with LS ad MW telling him what to say while the people suffer they will get a hard wake up call
  • David (22/12/2014, 12:04) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Premier must release actual statistics to back up these claims. Just because he says things are getting better does not mean it is. What is the unemployment rate now and when NDP took control? What is the average wage and has it grown over the past 3 years? What is the poverty rate? What is the GDP?

    Speak about facts, not rhetorical hyperbole.
    • What? (22/12/2014, 15:06) Like (11) Dislike (13) Reply
      The statistics have been released over and over, but people in the BVI can't get pass the headlines then head straight to the comment section. The Government also has a link to their official website for information on all these sites so if people really interested in information they can find it. When it comes to finding out what Beyonce, Rhianna and others are doing you all search and search, why not do the same for your country? Even when the stats are put out, you will then say it's misleading, it's not right, something this and that. When politics gets in the way of everything there's no rational thinking involved. Some people hate the NDP so much that they will put a negative spin on everything. The stats on crime and the economy have been in the media for the last few months but despite that the man and his Government continue to be called liars. You don't want facts, you want confusion so go right ahead.
  • duh (22/12/2014, 12:32) Like (31) Dislike (0) Reply
    there has been growth with no increment for the period youll in power
  • Yes (22/12/2014, 13:57) Like (22) Dislike (0) Reply
    These politicians really take people for fool. He claiming that because they start the road and pier project that, that mean the BVI economy is growing and doing good? lol! If the BVI doing so good then why NDP taking about raising income taxes? Everything raising but the income. Departure tax gone up, they taking about raising income taxes. Every government organization was ask to cut down their budget repeatedly. Government organizations owe almost every business in the territory and won't pay until they cut them off from purcahsing. EVERY government organization have to back draft to pay staff but yet still the economy doing good? lol!

    FOH!
  • foxy (22/12/2014, 20:15) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Another reason why ndp must go there heads in the sand
  • virgin gorda (22/12/2014, 23:32) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    he must not be talking about the BVI most of us live in...Stand-off from the truth cannot continue for ever.
  • poor people march (22/12/2014, 23:41) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    hundreds of children and familes accross the BVI are going to bed hungry and the NDP is more interested in foolishness of taking up the poor econamy..Dr Smith you have made the BVI into a banana republic.
  • in the news (22/12/2014, 23:44) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    I don't understand, why his handlers allow him to say this hogwash that does not add up
  • george w touch (22/12/2014, 23:55) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Give me a damn break Dr. Smith, STOP THE LIES
  • crash (23/12/2014, 00:01) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Our BVI have some real dumb and retarded leaders who just say what is given to them
  • kids (23/12/2014, 01:43) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply

    Dr smith you one l.ing man and ppl out herr hungry and no work go to you in person just a waste of time you all suck

  • My My (23/12/2014, 10:30) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Another insult to the people of the bvi
  • Boo (25/12/2014, 12:59) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Economy "damn bust" not "robust"
  • cay (25/12/2014, 13:34) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    yea things good for he and his wife but the election will tell the tales
  • history teacher (25/12/2014, 23:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    If the past is any indication... not much of anything constructive we will get out of Olando and his gang for the new year
  • glover parks (26/12/2014, 22:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    All I can say is, Get Ready. We can ride this one out, but anyone who says it's going to be painless is a fool.
  • W*F (29/12/2014, 13:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yes, I agree with the Premier that the BVI Economy has grown over the past two years. Yeah Right!!!!! BACKWARDS.


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