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Premier Smith flip-flops on 'robust economy' usage

- Says question about NDP's performance over two years in office is an 'unfair question'
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith is shying away from further using the word ‘robust’ in describing the state of the economy of the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith told media operatives that he is satisfied with the progress made by the National Democratic Party (NDP) government in their two years in office so far. Photo: VINO
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith told media operatives that he is satisfied with the progress made by the National Democratic Party (NDP) government in their two years in office so far. Photo: VINO
The government of the Virgin Islands has announced that it will soon be launching a magazine to highlight its progress over the past two years. Photo: VINO
The government of the Virgin Islands has announced that it will soon be launching a magazine to highlight its progress over the past two years. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith is now shying away from using the word ‘robust’ in describing the state of the economy of the Virgin Islands (VI).

During a press conference held yesterday, November 12, 2013 the Premier was asked whether he maintains his position of the economy being robust. “I would not use the term robust because robust is a misunderstood and misused term but I am satisfied that what we are doing is good for the economy, it is important and necessary to grow the economy.”

The Premier of the Virgin Islands said he is aware that there are persons who would have lost jobs but said he also appreciates that there were many jobs created at the same time.

Asked to give a ratio of the jobs lost as opposed to those allegedly created, Premier Smith responded, “No I cannot give you that amount at this time but I can work at finding it, but no I cannot give you that amount at this time.”

He also said government has been trying to assist those persons who would have lost jobs to be placed in new job positions. “But in the mean time the overarching goal is to expand the economy so that there would be more jobs created,” said Premier Smith.

The Prospect Reef Development Project was mentioned as one of the projects that would create significant amount of jobs on Tortola.

Satisfied with performance of NDP after 2 years

“Of course I am satisfied,” said Premier Smith when asked if he was satisfied with the performance of the NDP government over the past two years.

Resorting to the blame game tactics that the NDP has been using ever since coming into office in 2011, Premier Smith said there were many initiatives started that were designed to generate jobs for the economy “but those were discontinued.”

He also said there are a number of initiatives that they are currently working on that are designed to once again stimulate the economy of the Virgin Islands. “It takes a little while before you can see the fruits of it.”

He said over the past two years government has reviewed the financial management system and expanded its reach in the area of tourism. “We have expanded our reaches as far as financial services is concerned and these are things which were important in setting the stage for the development of the economy.”

According to Premier Smith, within the coming weeks there will be more announcements of developmental projects that would put the VI in good stead.

“One cannot manage an economy by simply spending money that is saved. It would eventually come to an end. There must be some method of growing the economy, building the economy.”

It must be noted, however, that when the question was put to the Premier about the performance of the NDP government over the past two years, he responded “I think that is an unfair question.”

In addition to highlighting that government will soon be putting out a booklet highlighting its accomplishments, Premier Smith said he is satisfied that his government is intent on building the economy of the Virgin Islands by securing capital investments.

38 Responses to “Premier Smith flip-flops on 'robust economy' usage”

  • qc (13/11/2013, 08:46) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    just more lies
    • Concerned (13/11/2013, 15:09) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
      Would you know the truth if you see it? Check your self
    • robust economy??? (13/11/2013, 19:20) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Premier's definition - despite the challenges that the VI economy is facing, GDP has only decreased slightly or remained stagnant ie. the economy could have been significantly worse than it is currently is, but it is not.

      Everybody else - jobs have been lost due to closures, downsizing, right sizing, etc as businesses struggle, so the economy can't be robust.

      Premier, yes leave that word alone.
  • Just the facts (13/11/2013, 08:50) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    the Premier or this team does not have a clue about fiscal policy.
  • Go on (13/11/2013, 09:05) Like (7) Dislike (7) Reply
    So finally this mo moo came to his senses on the reality of the economy finally!!!
    • respect (13/11/2013, 10:50) Like (10) Dislike (6) Reply
      While I may not be a NDP supporter, I resent your disrespect of the Premier of this Territory by referring to him as a moo moo! If you don't like the man or the job he is doing, say so. But, for Christ sake, at least respect the Office of the Premier; particularly, in a forum such as the Internet, when you are referring tot he leader of the Government and these Islands!
      • chad (13/11/2013, 13:53) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
        Who the hell are to tell people who to respect, respect is earn not given.Where were you when other were being disrespected in these same blogs? what is good for one is good for all.
      • vip (13/11/2013, 16:56) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
        Them call ralph all kinds of names so where were you then?
      • respect (14/11/2013, 12:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        I stand by my position. As stated, respect should be shown for the OFFICE this Premier holds. There are far more intellectual ways of expressing discontent with the job this Premier is doing without resorting to calling him a moo moo. Regardless of what the former Premier was called, it was no more acceptable then than it is today for anyone to call the Leader of the British Virgin Islands Government, a moo moo and nothing you can say would ever make that right!
    • @ respect (13/11/2013, 11:07) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
      that is precisely why they cant reach no where and always want to be living on hand outs set of disrespectful and ungrateful creatures
    • ASHAMED (13/11/2013, 12:17) Like (3) Dislike (7) Reply
      Just to be overseas and read these people's blogs, calling their Leaders "mo moo" is utterly shameful. These "KINDS" should have at least attended the first grade for basic common sense. Well, that is democracy. Thank God for the BVI, where any "MO MOO" can "MOO".
  • voter (13/11/2013, 09:24) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    When the Premier said the economy was ROBUST I was saying he was lying to us but now after seeing the many articles on the auditor general report i no have my answer
  • Real!! (13/11/2013, 09:25) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply

    Everyone has a smart phone but still behave like theyr'e stupid!!

    "Investopedia explains 'Robust'
    Robustness can relate to both economic and statistical concepts. For statistics, a test is claimed as robust if it still provides insight to a problem despite having its assumptions altered or violated. In economics, robustness is attributed to financial markets that continue to perform despite alterations in market conditions. In general, being robust means a system can handle variability and remain effective."

    • HMMM (13/11/2013, 09:34) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
      Boy cart yo moo moo arse from yah!
    • @ Real!! (13/11/2013, 10:29) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Real!! u sound so damn stupid
      • deh dawg (13/11/2013, 11:18) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
        You who hate intelligence and real information are the ignorant and stupid ones. Real gave a factual definition and you still reject. As long as it doesn't conform to your ignorance you carry on like a fool. Sickening!!!!
        • Real!! (13/11/2013, 12:30) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
          deh dawg, don't mind the idiots! They are doing more damage than good but they don't realize it yet. I look forward to the ignorance being spewed all over. They are working with us not against us like they think, so let them keep on keeping on. They will soon get a directive from their side asking them to stop the nonsense because it's doing them no good. But will they listen? I doubt it. Fact has no place in their universe.
  • ooooo (13/11/2013, 09:26) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    he is a big flip-flopper just like john kerry...and it seems like he just checked his dictionary for the proper definition of the word, a big blunder on glover park's behalf
  • dominique (13/11/2013, 09:32) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    aye! aye! but mister is the one who is abusing the word.
  • Maxwell (13/11/2013, 10:11) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    I guess he could not take the embarrassment and public ridicule of his own members, Delores, Alvra, Malone and Archie telling the public things are real bad and people are hurting!!!
  • Finance (13/11/2013, 10:19) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    the Governement dont have a clue as to whats happening the the economy as they know is they are ok with the 11,000,000. They are all rich people and knows that the economy is robust for them, But for us the voters we are hurting. real hurting. people lets get serious there is nothing going on. I hope we wise up. Smith must GO
  • 1 (13/11/2013, 10:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    ok he saw the light
  • AND? (13/11/2013, 12:46) Like (0) Dislike (6) Reply
    @Finance, Smith must GO and put who? Pleaseeeee tell me now cause our choices a slim strupes
  • Sam (13/11/2013, 13:53) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    flip flops is the first name of the NDP remember mvw on the prison thing when he say he did not know and the governor called him out?
  • @@@@@@@ (13/11/2013, 13:57) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    DID THE SPEECH WRITERS AND OVERSEAS PEOPLE COME UP WITH A NEW WORD?
  • Hopeful (13/11/2013, 15:06) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    This is a lot of nothing, the Premier is very concern for the BVI and it's people that is why he is very focus on trying to bring jobs and economic activity.
    Let's get behind his efforts
  • fat belly (13/11/2013, 16:05) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Thank goodness our country has anothr election coming and we will get to speak!!!
  • ooooo (13/11/2013, 17:00) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    he flip flop on the staement about judge mathis also
  • never again (13/11/2013, 19:57) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    who can ever trust this man again with this country?
  • JUDOW (14/11/2013, 06:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Premier does not know that he does not know.
    He never took and economics class in his life --Fact.
    He never took and accounting class in his life -- Fact.
    He is needed with the NHI but he refuses to focus on what he knows.

    Summary: Average leader or no leader at all? You choose.
    • Eh? (14/11/2013, 19:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

      So Fraser studied economics? accounting? Fahie? Oneal? Omar? Dancia? I beg you hush your dumb a$$. That's why we spend big money sending our people away to top Universities to come back and work for Government earning six figure salaries, even more than the Ministers themselves. Their job is to guide the respective Ministries. Did HL Stoutt finish High School even? I'm done....

  • The Judge (14/11/2013, 12:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I have read most of what has been said concerning the article at hand and I must admit that you are fully justified in how you see Dr. Smith
  • x ray (15/11/2013, 05:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    more NDP fairy story about the Government
  • polls (15/11/2013, 11:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I don’t think there will be an early election. The Government is going to run the full term
  • x rat (15/11/2013, 18:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    we all make mistakes but not everyone is stupid either!
  • True (15/11/2013, 21:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    A PUPPET INDEED. REALLY NOT MEANT TO BE RUDE, JUST KEEPING IT REAL


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