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Caribbean goods 'right down to tissue paper' needed in VI- Premier Fahie

- said the possibilities with regional trade are limitless & can stabilise the participating economies
Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has turned to the other Caribbean leaders of business organisations to unite in the face of the threat to food security caused by many countries closing their borders and limiting exports, because of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). Photo: VINO/File
According to Premier Andrew A. Fahie (R1), if the region works together on trade and commerce, the quality goods can be delivered in each country at a competitive price. Photo: Internet Source
According to Premier Andrew A. Fahie (R1), if the region works together on trade and commerce, the quality goods can be delivered in each country at a competitive price. Photo: Internet Source
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has turned to the other Caribbean leaders of business organisations to unite in the face of the threat to food security caused by many countries closing their borders and limiting exports, because of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

“The very necessary social distancing protocols are affecting all workplaces from factories to administration offices. They are affecting sales, whether it is large businesses or small cottage operations. They are also affecting customers’ ability to access goods,” Premier Fahie said on Monday, March 30, 2020, during an online Intra-Regional Commerce and Trade Symposium initiated by the Government of the Virgin Islands, with support from the local business sector.

A major test for us 

The Premier said, because of the aforementioned, the projected economic impact, “of this pandemic will prove to be another major test for us all,” when the stockpiles reduce, and raw materials cannot be easily sourced for further manufacturing.

He reminded the regional heads of business organisations in the CARICOM and Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) countries that the Caribbean could suffer.

“You know as well as I do, my friends, that day is just around the bend. As a matter of fact, now that the Coronavirus is here,” he noted.

VI wants to trade

“The VI is a popular tourist destination, and we entertain a lot of boat charters, yachts and hotel guests. There is a high demand for quality food products – processed and unprocessed, as well as apparel and other goods. The possibilities are, literally, limitless in terms that it is almost a certainty that any goods produced in the region is needed in the BVI, right down to tissue paper,” the Premier stated.

He pointed out that if the region works together, the quality goods can be delivered in each country at a competitive price.

“We understand that success depends on being able to cross the break-even points for volumes in production and shipping [but] by working together, we can establish the volumes for production and consumption that will not only make trade viable, but it will stimulate business growth and economic growth in the participating countries,” he stated.

Among the benefits of uniting on that front would be a “guarantee that our people are fed and clothed; that our Caribbean businesses survive and thrive; that we create jobs for our people; and, that we stabilise the social and economic situation in our countries,” the Premier surmised.

24 Responses to “Caribbean goods 'right down to tissue paper' needed in VI- Premier Fahie”

  • Outsider (31/03/2020, 08:32) Like (14) Dislike (10) Reply
    Get the people off parie and start planting food. It was designated only for that use and NO excuse!
    • Guest (31/03/2020, 09:15) Like (17) Dislike (3) Reply
      The vip government is the only one for the last 8 years who have committed funds to agriculture and that is a FACT


      Clap clap clap
  • unity (31/03/2020, 08:45) Like (31) Dislike (1) Reply
    it is usually during a crisis we Endeavor to unite but together we stands and divided we will fall, let us strive to stay united in bad time & good times
  • Good guy (31/03/2020, 08:48) Like (18) Dislike (2) Reply
    Trade these biker boy for paper towel
  • agreed (31/03/2020, 09:00) Like (18) Dislike (3) Reply
    Fahie has shown his leadership happy he is our premier He has earn another 4 years!
    • v.i.p (31/03/2020, 09:35) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
      @ agree: 2027 sounds good to me
    • Totally agree (31/03/2020, 11:37) Like (10) Dislike (3) Reply
      The VIP Administration will be elected into office again come next election. Wish they could be in office for 12 years. Say what you like, I love this Premier and I am so glad when I went to the polls on Election Day, I cast my vote for him.
  • No comprende (31/03/2020, 09:14) Like (10) Dislike (7) Reply
    Trade implies you give in exchange for what I have to give, So what are we trading sir? The VI is already a consumer of whatever the other Islands produce including a labor force. What is your point. What more can we do ,please elaborate. It wont be a stretch to say that half of those households in the upper Caribbean are surviving because of the VI. We are their bread and butter. Next symposium inform them that their homies uphold our laws and refrain from becoming expensive liabilities with incarceration,hospitalization,disruptive in our education and on and on.
    • Hmmmm (31/03/2020, 11:55) Like (17) Dislike (6) Reply
      Are you serious. Only a uneducated tolan can make such a silly and illiterate statement. Do you really believe that the bvi is holding up the economy of the other islands. It is the work force of the other islands sustaining the economic recovery of your poor island. I have been saying for the longest while the expects need by droves to return down island and cripple the bvi. Rude and illiterate. Void of substance like mist tolands are. How many tolans have a masters degree check and let me know. Stupidity becomes you.
      • W T F (31/03/2020, 12:23) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
        @ Hmmmm(Sit to fu(& down)
        with money gram & western union closed a substantial number of caribbean people residing in the British Virgin Islands can no longer forward money(Cash) to there brothers, sisters, grandchildren, grandparents, wives, sons, love ones....we are all one set of black people but fools like is a disgrace to the black community
      • @ Hmmmm (31/03/2020, 15:14) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
        Proof would be if the moneys via moneygram from the VI to this countries stops.
        The Vi choose to import from those islands but have options.
        What other options are there for the upper caribbean . Very limited due inpart to their misconstrued reality which manifests into antisocial behaviour. Much like yours.
    • tretretrete (31/03/2020, 15:29) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply

      Ok... they all go home what do you have that they need now... 

      • W T F (31/03/2020, 17:37) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
        @ Hmmm
        not one will leave this place: this territory have and will continue to help our caribbean brothers & sisters purchase property in there homeland: open business in their home: send their children to University.....@Hmmmmm it is called making an honest living-why dont U set an example and leave the territory
  • voiceofthevoiceless (31/03/2020, 09:18) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is a great move Hon Andrew Fahie it shows that you love our Caribben brothers and sisters

    The pass 8 years it was about people who did not look like we. Let’s buy local and regional bam bam
  • marlarkey (31/03/2020, 10:51) Like (1) Dislike (6) Reply
    hogwash!!!!!!!!!!!
  • money (31/03/2020, 11:13) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    money have change us all because it is somewhat easer to visit the supermarket than out in the sun gardening. I say money changed us Because we use to send food to the USVI; road town market had all manner of fresh ground provision & fresh catch of fish....now we purchase frozen products
  • Jamdown (31/03/2020, 11:13) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    Sorry I'm not eligible to vote. VIP would be it for sure. Yeah mon.
    • rasta (31/03/2020, 14:03) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      Jamdown)
      Just tell 20 people who have the ability to vote that they have to vote ViP all the way next election day

      Yeah Mon!!!!
  • New belonger (31/03/2020, 13:44) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am sick of the continuous from here not from here nonsense.
    What the premier is saying makes sense. We need to unite as a regional block. Donald Trump says " Make America great again." Boris Johnson took U.K out of the E.U. These people have no time for us. We are small Caribbean States. We can't stand on our own. We are vulnerable.
    To survive, we have to unite. As I speak, we have resisted help from Cuba.
    After Hurricane Irma, our Caribbean brothers and sisters reached out to us.
    Let's stop the selfishness and hate and work together to make the BVI a better place for all of who live here.
    I pray God's blessing on my original homeland, my new home - the BVI and the rest of the world.
  • Premier is really working (31/03/2020, 13:54) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    Mr Premier u working.. Ur courageous... We need to be different creative... We need to turn to God.. let the church conduct their Sunday services.. Let them Police themselves.. Let them submit their plan and service a week in advance for your approval... Cant continue to disrespect God.. let people of faith put their faith to work.. One more thing.. We need to get our medical professional that got stuck out island after tbe sudden border shut down.. We need the help try get them back in..... Thsnks Mr Premier. Keep the good work up.. Keep thd little man the suffers in your thoughts its them from which your blessing flow..
  • @ new belonger (31/03/2020, 15:34) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Your statement " as I speak, we have resisted help from Cuba" is blatantly false and throws your newness belongership into the garbage pile with the rest of dem.
  • E. Leonard (31/03/2020, 17:44) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Indeed, spending local creates a multiplier effect in the economy , ie, creating employment and income, sustaining businesses and creating opportunity for starting new businesses. Similarly, spending regionally also creates a multiplier effect in regional economies. The Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic IMO has exposed economic vulnerabilities and weaknesses in small, remote island nations in the Caribbean region. Most nations depend heavily on tourism, a highly fragile economic sector. The Caribbean has an opportunity to increase inter-island trade, ie, food production. Most Caricom countries import approx 80% of its food and only Guyana and a few others produce more than 50% of its food. Caricom 2019 food import bill was approx $(US)4.7B and it is expected increase markedly in 2020.

    Moreover, the region must collaborate and cooperate to reduce the food import bill. Reducing the food import bill will boost economies, increased employment and enhanced regional food security. It will face a challenge with cost of multinational corporation imports, ie, production cost but the challenge is not insurmountable. Regional countries must produce what they have a comparative advantage in and trade for the rest.

    Further, the region must collaborate on uniting. The region would have been in a better position if the West Indies Federation (1958-1962) had been given a fighting chance. The ‘one from ten leaves nought’ comment by a national leader came to fruition. Insularity killed the Federation. Every little brown dot in the Caribbean Sea going it alone is challenging. The region should be doing much better with standard living, quality of life and per capita income. A small percentage (1%) doing well and the masses catching hell. Unification works for US, Canada, Australia, and EU(?) so why can’t it work for the Anglophone Caribbean countries?
  • He Saw the VISION (31/03/2020, 18:06) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Primier Fahie got the vision that in another 2-3 months unless things change dramatically in the US there will be nothing to import from the US. So he is trying to establish early linkages with the Caribbean Islands to ensure some level of food security while you are here squabbling about who is from her and not from here. Primier while you are at it rope in the shipping people because that is the next hurdle you will have to cross. It simply cost too much and takes too long to get goods shipped from say Trinidad, Jamaica or Guyana to the BVI. There got to be cross Caribbean Shipping instead of everything going back to Miami. .


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