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Umoja Show supports small businesses for Buy BVI Trade Show

Co-host of the Umoja show Natalio Wheatley agreed the Virgin Islands was on the right track and also felt that many developed countries were coming to the realisation that internal development of the economy needed to be supported. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – The Umoja Show came out in full support of small businesses in the Virgin Islands (VI) and the integral role they play in the development of the economy when the radio show was last aired November 29, 2012.

The programme centred on the Buy BVI Trade Show and the expectations and promises that it held for persons who would be participating and attending.

Guest of the show, Mr Troy Christopher, endorsed the concept of supporting small businesses and noted that the idea was being promoted heavily in the United States (US). Christopher added, “they are pushing a big movement in the United States now that they are calling ‘Small Business Week’ that is encouraging US citizens to shop with the local businesses, the small business… they definitely want a big push in support of their local businesses, they created a small business week.”

Mr Christopher said this was similar to the idea being promoted in the Buy BVI Trade show and showed that “we are on the right track with a number of things.”

He added, “the concept that we’ve had as Virgin Islanders from the very beginning in terms of trying to do our own businesses and do business for ourselves and trying to keep the money within the territory as much as we can, is definitely the right way to go.”

Co-host of the programme, Natalio Wheatley aka Sowande Uhuru, added that he had noticed the US trend as well, “not just for the small business week, but the rhetoric of the politicians, they’re speaking about supporting small businesses, local business as well.” He agreed with Mr Christopher that the Virgin Islands was on the right track and also felt that many developed countries were coming to the realisation that internal development of the economy needed to be supported.

Host of the programme, Cromwell Smith aka Edju En Ka, also agreed with the two men and said that small businesses were the backbone of the economy. “All of these small business people hiring and producing jobs, they’re producing goods and services… they’re the hub of the economy… when you try to kill them off and have big giant corporations and monopolies, you leave a giant gap in the middle between rich and poor.”

8 Responses to “Umoja Show supports small businesses for Buy BVI Trade Show ”

  • bay yute (01/12/2012, 12:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    To have any credibility local business must improve price and services
    • same old (02/12/2012, 00:14) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      they have the same old things every year..strupppsss
    • vendor (02/12/2012, 00:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Can’t understand some ah you people...the cost it take to go round trip to rock city, den catch taxi, then pay duty then go through that hassle now dey boats charging per bad..look boss tis better off just shopping in tola
  • talk girl talk (01/12/2012, 16:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    SHOP AT HOME LET THE $$$$ STAY HERE LET BETTER SENSE PREVAILS
  • fish (01/12/2012, 20:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    people's own selfish reasons should not stop the development of a nation.
  • Global warrior (02/12/2012, 08:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    When products and services in the BVI can compete with the best products and services anywhere else- then people will stop shopping overseas- DUH!
    • foxy (02/12/2012, 16:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      You are correct, future generations will pay dearly unless this is corrected
  • Ironic (03/12/2012, 00:49) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    20 Ft container from Miami to St. Thomas $900-$1200 Plus no import duty
    20 Ft Container from Miami to Tortola $2900-$3200 plus

    BVI Buying populace 25,000- 30,000 (Most dont shop on island)
    USVI buying populace 80,000- 150,000

    USVI import Duty 0%
    BVI Import Duty 5-20%



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