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'Digitise aspects of your business & get it online' - Premier Fahie

- local companies urged to build apps, websites & utilise social media in COVID-19 era
Assessing the economic impacts of COVID-19 on businesses around the world, Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has called on local businesses in the Virgin Islands (VI) to start making moves to take advantage of technology & overcome shortfalls while boosting trade. Photo: Facebook/File
The Premier said there is a lot of potential online and urged businesses to build apps, websites and utilise social media. Photo: Internet Source
The Premier said there is a lot of potential online and urged businesses to build apps, websites and utilise social media. Photo: Internet Source
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Addressing the economic impacts of COVID-19 on businesses around the world, Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has called on local businesses in the Virgin Islands (VI) to start making moves to take advantage of technology and overcome shortfalls while boosting trade.

"We have to look at the technology that is available, and how we can do that to more effectively run our businesses. Are we making the full use of the social media platforms?" the Premier asked in a June 5, 2020, statement of the Government's economic stimulus plan. 

The Premier said business operators need to be looking at their supply chains, in-bound logistics and the out-bound logistics while focusing on new marketing strategies, new approaches to customer service and service delivery.

"For one thing, there is a lot of potential for building websites and mobile apps; digitising aspects of your business and getting it online."

An online presence is a gateway - Premier Fahie 

According to the Leader of Government Business, depending on the nature of the products or services a business offers, an online presence is also a gateway to take businesses to an international market.

"I believe that out of every storm there are opportunities. We have to focus and find the silver lining in this dark cloud. We cannot just throw our hands up in the air and abandon hope."

The Premier said COVID-19 is a wake-up call for the Territory to push itself and create the new VI that generations will benefit from.

17 Responses to “'Digitise aspects of your business & get it online' - Premier Fahie”

  • Joker (08/06/2020, 15:01) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    Website was created before I opened but i nee people to come in and until borders reopen this ain't going to happen no matter how much online presence we have.
  • wow (08/06/2020, 15:02) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    Sounds like a new foundation for the new world that y’all are bringing in
  • phew (08/06/2020, 15:05) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    Dear Hon. Premier. I run two online businesses so I am in support of you what you are proposing. HOWEVER, we need your support to do what you are asking, as setting up a website and utilizing social media is ONE thing, but connecting international online payment portals to local BVI bank accounts using BVI tax IDs is ANOTHER. In order to do international business, you must be able to collect payments AND transfer payments to your bank account or card. These online payment portals must first be able to verify you are who you say you are and you are not laundering money (KYC). For some reason, online payment portals are not currently linking to the BVI on the back end of this process. You must have a US Tax ID or Tax ID from another eligible country for this to work. So I'm pleased to hear you speak of this... because now BVIslanders who do business online/internationally, can hopefully get some technical support. (I'm speaking for us who don't have any other citizenship, green cards, etc.)
    • RedStorm (08/06/2020, 18:48) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      I have been working on a business venture six years ago, however, the lack of banking support is what needed for BVI to go live on the international business market. Visa, American Express, Visa debit, are good but the analysis shows more people request pay pal than others. So where do we go from here, we cannot talk the talk no more. This is action time and the internet needs to be up to speed for this venture. I use one fancy internet provider, which give me emails that was sent today, I will receive it tomorrow. Now Honourable Premier, how am I to do business when such a thing happens? this is only one of many problems.
      • Rubber Duck (09/06/2020, 04:01) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        One thing that makes BVI uncompetitive on line are the rip off rates charged by the BVI banking cartel for the processing of credit cards. The European Union has declared that any rate above 0.9% amounts to exploitation. Rates in BVI go as high as 5% for new businesses and even well established, high transaction value businesses don’t get much below 3%. In a world of tremendous competition and thin margins these rates are crippling.
    • @phew (08/06/2020, 20:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      There should be service providers that allow international transactions. If not then BVI got to be in the ice age. America thrive off online shopping.
      • @@phew (09/06/2020, 18:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Those were my exact sentiments, until I realized we are in fact living in the ice age. It is very frustrating. And for him to make such a comment frustrates me even more because it means he is completely unaware.
  • How About (08/06/2020, 15:08) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Creating a way for us to ship goods out of the territory at a decent price?? Then we can all export our local products.
  • WHAT!!! (08/06/2020, 15:26) Like (28) Dislike (0) Reply
    Would be a great idea if we did not have one of the slowest and most expensive internet in the whole world.
    • Ridiculous (08/06/2020, 16:59) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      I was attempting to update my TV's software and a message came up saying your internet is not up to par (thought not exactly in those words)
  • Zoom (08/06/2020, 15:44) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    This here on point because a lot of opportunity in the internet world for everyone. New era different tune.
  • App (08/06/2020, 16:19) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    to build an app that works well starting price around $50,000.00
    • VG Resident (08/06/2020, 18:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I wrote a web site for free and never wrote one in my life. You don't have to spend big bucks to write a web site.
      Aside from a computer and an internet connection, most of the tools you need to build a website are software programs, some of which may already be on your computer. You need a text or HTML editor, a graphics editor, web browsers, and an FTP client to upload files to your web server
    • LOCAL DEVELOPER (09/06/2020, 09:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      While there is a to build a high-end quality app, the figure is not that high.
      I can build an app for way less than $50,000.00
      Visit apexbvi.com or call 341-6571
  • Curfew (08/06/2020, 17:39) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Get rid of the nonsense curfew and then maybe i will hear you.
  • Bev (08/06/2020, 20:51) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    I applaud to hear you Premier pushing technology. All he need to do is break the barriers so BVI can catch up on online shopping. I have a clothing store For 20 years and looking forward to going online. Maybe PayPal rules will change after this virus.
  • Please. (09/06/2020, 07:12) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Time to dash the mask Mr. Premier...Haven't you heard the World health organization update.. " Only people with obvious symptoms of the virus can spread it...So, Why did they wait until now to say that.?...."These dishonest people". Only God knows


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