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Finally! VI to get its Consumer Protection Bill

-Bill crafted in collaboration with Opposition Leader Marlon A. Penn
Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), says the Consumer Protection Bill for the territory is on the way having been passed in Cabinet and drafted in collaboration with Opposition Leader, Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8). Photo: Internet Source
According to Hon Fahie, the Legislation proposed by Hon Penn would have never made it into the HoA under the NDP, “They didn’t believe in it because the member of the district [Hon Penn] didn’t had anything to conflict with it coming forward,” he said. Photo: Facebook
According to Hon Fahie, the Legislation proposed by Hon Penn would have never made it into the HoA under the NDP, “They didn’t believe in it because the member of the district [Hon Penn] didn’t had anything to conflict with it coming forward,” he said. Photo: Facebook
“We have already passed it in cabinet, it is to come on the agenda of the House of Assemble and [we are] going to get this consumer protection passed,” Hon Fahie affirmed. Photo: VINO/File
“We have already passed it in cabinet, it is to come on the agenda of the House of Assemble and [we are] going to get this consumer protection passed,” Hon Fahie affirmed. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Town, VI - Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), says the Consumer Protection Bill for the territory is on the way having been passed in Cabinet and drafted in collaboration with Opposition Leader, Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8).

Broken NDP Promises

Promised first by the National Democratic Party (NDP) which took power in 2011, the Consumer Bill never materialised, however, Junior Minister of Trade and Consumer Affairs, Mr Penn was said to have had a public disagreement with Attorney General, Baba F. Aziz over the piece of legislation.

According to Hon Fahie, the Legislation proposed by Hon Penn would have never made it into the HoA under the NDP, “They didn’t believe in it because the member of the district [Hon Penn] didn’t have anything to conflict with it coming forward,” he said.

“But those who had [conflict] are gone and the people of the Virgin Islands will get the consumer protection coming forward,” the Premier assured.

Cabinet Passed  

“We have already passed it in Cabinet, it is to come on the agenda of the House of Assemble and [we are] going to get this consumer protection passed,” Hon Fahie affirmed.

 “If you want us [to] name it the Fahie Administration and Marlon Penn Consumer Protection Bill we’ll name it that,” the Premier said.

However, he implored that finally, the People of the Virgin Islands will get what they deserve, which is, regulatory jurisdictions that provide consumer protection through laws designed to ensure the rights of consumers as well as fair trade, competition and accurate information in the marketplace in propagated.

Trade Licences

Further, the Premier revealed that new Trade Licenses are also on the way with improved categories to serve the people of the territory.

The premier said that the licences would come in three categories, one for native people of the Virgin Islands, one for people who collaborate with Virgin Islanders in business and a third category for Non-Belongers.

“We understand with Economic Substance coming and other things, that we have to change how we doing [Business], but we also understand that we have to protect our people in certain industries,” the Premier said.  

He thanked Hon Penn for the hard work on crafting the Consumer Protection Bill and for having a 'pure heart' with putting the people first, which according to him is the reason why the District Eight representative returned to the HoA.

16 Responses to “Finally! VI to get its Consumer Protection Bill ”

  • cromwell (29/04/2019, 13:17) Like (12) Dislike (17) Reply
    Three categories of trade licenses, doesn't this government understand that's blatant discrimination, which, the civilized world has no time for. Your chances of attracting meaningful outside investment in these island have gone from bad to worse, you reap what you sow.
    • OZYMANDIAS (29/04/2019, 14:46) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
      GO SIDDUNG CROMWELL! THAT'S WHY YOUR EXPAT LOVING GOVERNMENT GONE. Let me not diss all expats your caucasian loving expat government gone. If you from here low trade fee, if you in collab with a local the reasonable fee but if you simply come from Europe(white) with no roots to the VI or you from a different island with no roots in the VI then YOU PAY OUT THE AZZ metaphorically but some may literally have to do that. IJS
    • @cromwell (29/04/2019, 15:18) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
      You need to realize how small the BVIs are n we must do everything in our power to put BVIslandesrs first .. I can’t see anyone with a sensible mind can disagree with charging BVI natives a little less for a trade license than a foreigner it puts BVIslandesrs at an advantage which should be any countries motives
    • wize up (29/04/2019, 16:03) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
      @ Cromwell: try go sit down with your discrimination jive talk: big America trying hard now shore-up their borders: every country in this world seeks to protect its nationals: the big Europe Union putting other nations on a blacklist in an effort to protect their own economic interest
      This universe is filled with all manner of sanctions and embargoes as protective measures within the international or global trading markets
      • cromwell (30/04/2019, 15:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Wrong "wise up" once allowed into the countries you highlight, everyone has the same status, it may be difficult to enter, but, once in everyone is equal. So, ask yourself, why is there no significant investment into these islands like Cayman, Bermuda, Barbados and the Channel Islands. No major institution will invest in a location that descriminates against outsiders, those other territories don't advertise positions stating belongers preferred. Wake up.
    • Hottie (29/04/2019, 16:28) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
      Protecting our people means regulating to allow ‘our people’ to provide higher prices and lower service than would be available if there was not such protection!
      • wize up (29/04/2019, 19:00) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
        @ hottie: why when it comes to make sure our people are not disenfranchise some of you have so much piss to chat: and I am speaking about being disenfranchise in our territory: every plot of land under the son have their own policies and procedures however for some of you the British Virgin Islands must a be free for all: lots of local businesses owners went out of business or on life support all now because of those international regulations which were drafted and implemented under the national democratic party administration....
  • Bull Dawg (29/04/2019, 14:13) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Action.
    Good to go.
    We will soon be able to shop without worrying so much about those ridiculous prices.
    • RealPol (01/05/2019, 08:20) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Is price control even in the CPA? Price control sounds good but quite often it does not work. It leads to poor quality and shortages. For example, minimum wage is intended to help the poor, but it oftens end up hurting the poor, the group it is intended to help. Strong competition is needed to bring prices down and put the greedy s....bs out to pasture. How do we know that they are all greedy, for they all have the same sky high prices. The supposed high transportation, duty, overhead......etc used as the reason for high prices is a red herring. The s...bs are just greedy.
  • Quiet Warrior (29/04/2019, 17:08) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    Though some may see the three categories(1. Locals, 2.Joint, and 3. Non-Belongers) of trade licenses as discriminatory, nonetheless, it is a good start. Every country protects its own; local must come first. Though they (locals) may get some protection and preferential treatment, they still have to deliver safe, quality, reasonably priced.....etc products and services. What needs to be watch is “fronting” ie, locals being the lead on a company but in reality the true owner(s) are operating in the background. Further, should not a bill go to the HOA before going to the Cabinet, which is in essence the Executive Branch?
    • cromwell (02/05/2019, 07:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Really, why don't you give us a list of all those countries, it will be interesting to see. All discriminatory practices are illegal throughout the entire EU as well as the US, and, as a British territory it will be interesting to see how the UK responds in due course. Doesn't anyone understand, we have no investment here, we have $3.5 billion dollars worth of damage and no money to restore things. Without investment we will not survive. Tourism is our salvation and we need serious outside investment to compete. But, you all carry on and see what transpires.
  • dude (29/04/2019, 17:13) Like (10) Dislike (4) Reply
    For this alone I would re-elect the VIP
  • Well Sah (29/04/2019, 17:51) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Does this mean that RTW will be allowed to sell electronic appliances again?
    • wize up (30/04/2019, 04:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ well sah: and what about the dive and sailing industries in the British Virgin Islands these industries captialized by investors
  • Wendy (30/04/2019, 06:51) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    Marlon need to cross the floor the ndp screw him
  • musa (30/04/2019, 07:18) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    good move team


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