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‘We are open for business in some areas’- Lorna G. Smith

- agrees with the 'open for business' statement but admits that not all areas are ready for business
Advertisement on YouTube promoting that the Virgin Islands is open for business despite the territory being destroyed after a category 5 hurricane Irma on September 6, 2017. Photo: Youtube
First Lady Mrs Lorna G. Smith OBE agrees with the statement that was published in an advertisement on YouTube recently, and uttered by her husband and Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith (AL), that the Virgin Islands is ‘Open for Business’. Photo: BVI Forward
First Lady Mrs Lorna G. Smith OBE agrees with the statement that was published in an advertisement on YouTube recently, and uttered by her husband and Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith (AL), that the Virgin Islands is ‘Open for Business’. Photo: BVI Forward
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Despite Hurricane Irma ravaging the territory two months, ago leaving the Virgin Islands (VI) in a state of devastation and homelessness, Mrs Lorna G. Smith OBE, retired civil servant and First Lady, agrees with the statement by Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith (AL), and which was published in an advertisement on YouTube recently, that the 'Virgin Islands is Open for Business’.

Mrs Smith appeared on the popular radio show Sparks Plug aired on ZBVI 780 AM on Saturday November 11, 2017. Mrs BVI 2017, Zoe J. Walcott-McMillan was the host of the weekly show.

“Advertisement lifted my spirits immeasurably”- Lorna G. Smith

The retired civil servant explained that although the VI has gone through a severe hurricane, tourists must be encouraged to come to the VI.

“I think we are open for business. I go out, I spend money and there is food in the supermarkets and we can buy anything that we want to buy. We go to restaurants, we go to bar and so on. I saw the advertisement and it lifted my spirits immeasurably. As I said we need to manage expectations and we need to encourage people to come and spend money in the British Virgin Islands,” explained the First Lady.

She continued, “Yes, we have just gone through a category 5 hurricane but we can’t just sit on our hands. We have to be up and continuing to do business.”

Mrs Smith emphasised that Financial Services did not stop operating following the passage of Hurricane Irma, adding that all of the financial services buildings were not destroyed by the hurricane.

She explained, “You would find that the online platform that is used for company and corporations, they were able to continue. The hurricane struck on Wednesday and by Monday the operations were able to continue using generators and so on. In fact we ourselves are housed there and people were able to move.”

Mrs Smith revealed that as a result of Hurricane Irma, the plans for approximately 40 Chinese investors that were scheduled to arrive in the VI was cancelled; however, she stated that they invited her instead to give a presentation.

“We are open for business but there are some limitations” – Zoe J. Walcott-McMillan

Meanwhile, the host asked the First Lady if she believes the government is over marketing, recognising that when people come to the VI they are not expecting to see the bad roads and the beaches which are not fully habitable.

In response, Mrs Smith said, “We have to clearly say what is open and what is not. I have to commend the government in terms of the same road network, they are trying their best.”

She further commented that 60 cents of every dollar comes from the financial services, while noting that is the reason they could not stop the operations of the biggest source of revenue for the VI.

12 Responses to “‘We are open for business in some areas’- Lorna G. Smith”

  • voter (14/11/2017, 18:18) Like (8) Dislike (4) Reply
    She is the real premier
  • Bad Bad Decision (14/11/2017, 19:54) Like (6) Dislike (9) Reply
    Selling Rite Way to these greedy and selfish Canadians was a bad bad decision. Peter Haycraft would had never laid off or send home one worker. He is such a good man He donated one Million dollars to the rebuilding of Schools..How nice that is. The bad news is that his old workers that help build RTW or now suffering...Never miss the water until the well run dry...
  • I Hope so... SK now run things (14/11/2017, 20:01) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    Seems like St Kitts is the real beneficiary of Hurricane Irma that damage St Thomas, BVI, St Marten and St Thomas.. St Kitts is having about 125 cruise ship for the month of December alone 8 ships on December 25th..6 on December 26th and at lease 3 a day the rest days. St Kitts doing something good. We need to find out..
    • @ I hope so. (15/11/2017, 00:14) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Ask the esteem
    • Hmm.. (15/11/2017, 10:27) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      We cannot compare to St. Kitts. Hello we have been thru porposedly Category 5 hurricane. I must admitt that right now there are alot of people that are able to buy groceries and some businesses ar etrying their best to be open. I give them credit. I do hope very soon that the government will try and fix the roads atleast, so there will be better traffic of taxi form the Airport and cruise ships. That would be my most aim.
    • pete (17/11/2017, 00:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      and thousands of tourists in one day is a good thing? think what 8 ships would look like in BVI. It creates logistical problems for everyone.
  • suggestion (14/11/2017, 20:26) Like (7) Dislike (9) Reply
    Get a business recovery committee Chaired by Peter Haycraft.. Members.. Digicel boss.. Myetts boss, Rite Way boss...Clarence Thomas boss, Taxi association boss, Peter Island boss, Little six boss, BYC boss, Moorings boss, Meridian construction boss, Eurica Medical boss, The Ferry boss, Small Rest boss. Small Business boss.. The Airline boss..Use Lorna Smith as committee secretary. No government rep should be included. The secretary would submit the committee findings..decusions and proposals to the appropriate ministry..
  • The Watcher (15/11/2017, 00:16) Like (11) Dislike (5) Reply
    When the hell is she going home so young people could get an opportunity?
  • it is a long way ahead but (15/11/2017, 05:26) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    We can make it. We first have to help ourselves and God will do the rest
  • Lord O. Our government (15/11/2017, 06:28) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Tell us what are the government plans to help the affected hotels and Restaurants get back on their feet quickly...In this situation The 3 most important things are God, Health and a Job, people have those things their lives are good.. The country is good...Also, tell us How the insurance companies are coping and progressing with claims and claims payments....We need to hear from our government on these issues
  • by the way (15/11/2017, 10:30) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Prospect reef owners should get going withe the rebuilding of the Hotel. we the people have hope in God to carry us thru in our Country.


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