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$1.7M income projected from 7% fee on $$ transfers for 2020- Premier

- says initiative generated big revenues in the slowest week of cash transfers
The 7% transaction fee to take 7 cents of every dollar sent overseas through money transfer providers like Western Union and Money Gram have been generating huge incomes for Government according to Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1). Photo: Internet Source/File
Now according to the Premier Andrew A. Fahie speaking at Tuesday's June 16, 2020 House of Assembly (HoA) sitting, even amidst criticisms, the move has paid off and is projected to generate even more money for the remainder of the year. Photo: Youtube/HoA
Now according to the Premier Andrew A. Fahie speaking at Tuesday's June 16, 2020 House of Assembly (HoA) sitting, even amidst criticisms, the move has paid off and is projected to generate even more money for the remainder of the year. Photo: Youtube/HoA
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - The 7% transaction fee to take 7 cents of every dollar sent overseas through money transfer providers like Western Union and Moneygram have been generating huge incomes for Government, according to Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1).

The initiative came into fruition when the 'Financing and Money Services (Amendment) Act, 2020' became law in May 2020, with incomes generated to be split across various programmes like Education, Seniors, Agriculture and a Land Bank. 

Now, according to the Premier, while speaking at Tuesday's June 16, 2020, House of Assembly (HoA) sitting; even amidst criticisms, the move has paid off and is set to generate even more projected revenues for the remainder of the year.

Fee will go towards local programmes 

He said the slowest week thus far for money transfers, has been the week of May 10, 2020, "and that week, which was the slowest week, was $843,670.03... If you just take seven per cent out of that week, you have $59,056.90. With about 30 more weeks to go for that seven per cent, you would calculate it to be $1,771,707.06," he said.

During the announcement of the initiative, the Premier had said that of the 7% fee, 20% of it will go towards programmes benefitting seniors, and another 20% will go towards educational programmes, infrastructure and scholarships; specifically, medical, hospitality, fishing and agriculture scholarships will benefit.

Programmes in the agriculture industry will get 20% and another 20% of the revenues will go towards the fishing industry and finally, 20% will go towards the Land Bank and first-time homeowners.

All the initiatives would be subject to Cabinet approval.

$300K guaranteed for each programme

"Can I tell you that even in the slowest time by the end of the year, if it stays like that, which it has not, the minimum each one of them will be able to put in it... will be $354,341.41.” 

He said if the Government has been doing that for years, a minimum of $5M per programme would have been collected, "this tells me that you cannot keep talking you have to lead!" he said.

According to the Leader of Government Business, diversifying the economy will call for unpopular initiatives like the medicinal marijuana industry and moves like regulating gambling, which the government is looking to implement through the Gambling (Gaming & Betting) Control Act, 2020.

22 Responses to “$1.7M income projected from 7% fee on $$ transfers for 2020- Premier”

  • lodger (18/06/2020, 17:56) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Peanuts in our budget! Who will ensure it goes to those causes.
  • Well (18/06/2020, 18:10) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    See it thay d same island people u all want to get rid of but remember God don't need a palo
    • Norris Turnbull (18/06/2020, 21:29) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
      @well... arentv yuh ou tired with this island people bull nonsense? Everyone use yhe mkney trsnsfer service. Dam ingrate
      • nope (19/06/2020, 17:23) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        Not everyone usethe money transfer service. Nobody i know . Maybe all wh you know so stop wth the insults. Plenty of us use more sophisticated,convenent methods..
        Wont be caught standing in there in line among certain folks even if it was free.
    • Local (18/06/2020, 23:11) Like (2) Dislike (5) Reply
      If them island people don’t like it they could leave simple. This is good revenue for the bvi
      • @local (19/06/2020, 09:25) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
        if the island people leave where will the 7% revenue come from? Space?
        • @@local (19/06/2020, 11:12) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
          Dats why ayo should shut up and stop complaining and u wouldn’t get send home
  • Get Real (18/06/2020, 18:30) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Open up the Country..Time to Dash way Bill G and his WHO...Antigua, St Lucia and Jamaica jumped off the fear train,, ,2 - 3 Jets per day landing...Nothing about Carona...The Enjoying the beach and the heat of course they go through the Airport protocol.....Temperature machine check 10 seconds u done...I had a machine in my forehead taking my tdmerature, i asked the lady how is my temperature , she said very good... I went through ..easy as ABC...
  • yoyo (18/06/2020, 18:47) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    Stealing poorman's sweat! Not good
  • Vise up (18/06/2020, 19:02) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply

    This is so unfair in this crisis... And you up and down talking about and counting how much money you make. 

    • HMMM (18/06/2020, 23:51) Like (2) Dislike (8) Reply
      Government don’t owe ayo down islanders nothing is not affecting we locals so what’s the problem
      • Mozart (19/06/2020, 17:17) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
        Folks,you have to pay if you want to play.
        Free will and greed,envy and cant get enuff is what send call most of you..put up or ship out.
  • dep (18/06/2020, 19:30) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    people in the bvi be careful wih uour comments about england remember we use us nomey and that could bwbe used against against the bvi please hink before you make moves remember england has strong ties wih te usa be carefull and do nohing to bring on problems for te people o the bvi remember england rules
  • ... (18/06/2020, 20:10) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    these man the brag about everything
  • my God (18/06/2020, 20:34) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Breaking News ooooo so the cow jump over the moon. and the cup shall and will run away with the spoon my God is good
  • sender (18/06/2020, 21:09) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Have you gone to Money Gram recently? People are not working. The line is shorter than it has been for years. Have not seen it like that even after Irma. It is obvious the figure stated is just a projected. Sending home $500 at one bank cost me $60. Sending the same amount at Money Gram with all charges cost me about the same. I am staying at the bank.
  • Expat (18/06/2020, 22:31) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    I came to the BVI 16 years ago.. Presently I have jobs that pays me a good salary. I was able to build my house back home, and take care of my family. Thanks BVI! Im sticking with moneygram!
    I think this is the best way of showing my appreciation.
  • rewrsdffds (19/06/2020, 06:39) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Is not like people has or have a choice. They have their families to take care of right. It just means money in government pocket and less for the business people. So sorry Scatos and Panchie, sorry RTW for the lil bottle of wine I could have afforded when making groceries, sorry Said for the lil pants and blouse I use to buy, sorry Mulligans for the lil eat out, sorry donations when you come around seeking. I've paid it out in fees for the money i have to send home to provide for my kids.
  • Hmm (19/06/2020, 07:03) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    Laughs
    you know it's greed when you start to count $ befor the year is finish and where and what the $ gonna do
    Now that's a big diversion in the sky
    It seems like no matter how much money fahie makes and get anything happen it's handout time hmm SMDH
  • black jack (19/06/2020, 07:36) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    this government know how to raise revenue mehson
  • Tsk Tsk (19/06/2020, 18:19) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Many of these “island people” don’t get pay as much of locals and y’all still trying to find a way to take more out of their pockets. This is wrong and nobody sees that because it isn’t affecting locals that much.


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