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Food & supplies access the focus @ online Regional Symposium today, March 30

- Online symposium is a VI Gov’t initiative to explore ways to maintain access to quality goods & supplies
According to Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1), today, March 30, 2020, the Virgin Islands (VI) will be in discussion with the leaders of the business organisations in the CARICOM and Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) countries to explore ways to maintaining access to quality goods and supplies and ensuring competitive prices during this coronavirus period and beyond. Photo: VINO/File
The online symposium with leaders of the business organisations in the CARICOM and Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) countries is a Government of the Virgin Islands initiative, with the support of the local business sector. Photo: CARICOM/OECS
The online symposium with leaders of the business organisations in the CARICOM and Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) countries is a Government of the Virgin Islands initiative, with the support of the local business sector. Photo: CARICOM/OECS
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- With the aim of exploring ways to maintain access to quality goods and supplies and ensuring competitive prices during this coronavirus period and beyond, the Government of the Virgin Islands will be convening a Regional Trade and Commerce Symposium today Monday, March 30, 2020 via the internet.

According to Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1), the VI will be in discussion with the leaders of the business organisations in the CARICOM and Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) countries.

He said the online symposium is a VI Government initiative, with the support of the local business sector.

“This will not only ensure our safety in terms of food and supplies, but it will also help to restore our economic activity, and create the conditions for keeping our businesses going and for getting our people back into their jobs. This is our top priority alongside public health and public safety,” Honourable Fahie said in a statement to the Territory on March 28, 2020.

“The benefits of this exercise will be with us long after this current Global Health pandemic is over, because it will contribute to the economic expansion that I spoke about in the 2020 Budget Address,” Hon Fahie added.

Beneficial partnerships with CARICOM countries

Back in October 2019, Premier Fahie had expressed a strong desire to foster a strategic, mutually-beneficial partnership with CARICOM countries, which he said would result in economic prosperity for both the VI and the region.

He related that regional trade is a key part of the new VI he envisions, and announced that strides are being made to put Virgin Islanders in the driving seat of emerging industry and the main beneficiaries of the anticipated rewards.

According to the premier, it makes economic sense that the Territory should aim for greater alignment with its regional neighbours.

“Our CARICOM neighbours have a lot to offer in terms of manufactured goods, professional services, skilled labour and partnerships that will have mutual benefits. The Caribbean region is very strong if our countries and our people work together,” Hon Fahie announced in a statement on October 23, 2020.

16 Responses to “Food & supplies access the focus @ online Regional Symposium today, March 30”

  • Impressed (30/03/2020, 09:14) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    a proactive government
  • great (30/03/2020, 09:16) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Great idea.. How much of us can buy? Nice idea for the previledge few those that still getting their salary... I must say the idea is brilliant... That must be a Rte Aay idea..Makng more money..
  • Martial Law (30/03/2020, 09:30) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ayo done sell out the place like y’all was designed and told to do ! Dislike all y’all want but I hope y’all keep this same energy from here on out because this is only the beginning
    • Reply (30/03/2020, 10:56) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      This government is working day and night for the people hate blogs will not help
  • Outsider (30/03/2020, 09:35) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    The active government need to go to paraquita bay and GET the rent free people off the land. The land was designated only for agriculture. It has NOTHING to do with who from here or who ain't from here. And they are not welcomed to squatter wrights either. They are occupying illegal
  • Ghost (30/03/2020, 09:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Great initiative Premier.. God is with us. He will see us through this.. keep up the good work..
  • Hmm (30/03/2020, 10:27) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    BVI Government we have the Governor saying one thing, the Ministers saying another, the Police saying a different story.

    Which is it? Supermarkets are on the Essential Services List of providing services to essential workers so how can they be ordered to not open unless it’s one preferred supermarket that was afforded this privilege.
    • Dulce (30/03/2020, 11:07) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      This sounds and reads to me a lot like gibberish .
      The Vi already buys and imports food from these neighbouring countries. I sure does see can goods,provision, fruits,vegetables, cleaning supplies,beauty supply,building supply,all kind of supply imported for VI consumer consumption from neighboring Caribbean Islands. Our workforce in all categories is dominated by labor from these countries. I get that the Premier is excited and exhilarated about this symposium and I want to join in but I am missing something. Please help me out. And the benefit he mentioned to this Corona Virus epidemic too, are they manufacturing and will be offering us test kits, ventilators etc that we desperately need?
  • concern (30/03/2020, 10:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    What about construction workers
    • Earl (30/03/2020, 12:30) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      Some of those now need to go home... the "gold rush" is over for a lot of the workers brought here on permits.
      I has already slowed down over the last 6 months and is going to get much worse over the next months.
      • What Gold rush (30/03/2020, 16:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        What gold rush
        Everyone works hard here
        Pays bills etc
        Where’s the gold ?

        This virus is coming what u Gona when it comes for u ?

  • BVI love (30/03/2020, 12:16) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Even in a crisis hon fahie still pushing for his people clap clap clap
    • @BVI love (30/03/2020, 13:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Exactly what is he pushing?
      Making no sense if you read but many of his peoole don t they look at pictures and get on a bandwagon to nowhere. Just along for the ride.
  • Kudos Fahie (30/03/2020, 13:23) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good job Premier. Don't study the hate bloggers.
  • BREAKING NEWS (31/03/2020, 09:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The current administration publicise their intentions so the residents can be informed other administrators only special interest groups knew


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