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1st phase of ‘economic stimulus package’ coming to Cabinet this week- Premier Fahie

Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has said a COVID-19 stimulus package would be presented to the Cabinet of the Virgin Islands during the course of this week. Photo: Facebook
Just like the government ‘took its time but moved with haste in the preventative measures of the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)’ in the Territory, to ensure the safety of residents, Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) said 'so will your government do the same with the economic stimulus package for your prosperity.' Photo: VINO/File
Just like the government ‘took its time but moved with haste in the preventative measures of the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)’ in the Territory, to ensure the safety of residents, Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) said 'so will your government do the same with the economic stimulus package for your prosperity.' Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has announced plans by his administration to present an economic stimulus package to the Territory in short order.

While delivering an address to the Territory on Monday, April 6, 2020 in a live broadcast, he said the package would be presented to the Cabinet of the Virgin Islands during the course of this week.

“I want to assure you that work is being done on the economic stimulus package. Your government, along with public officers and key stakeholders, is working feverishly on it and the first phase of the economic stimulus will be submitted to Cabinet this week,” he said.

During a joint press conference with the Leader of the Opposition Honourable Marlon A. Penn (R8) on March 24, 2020, the Premier said plans were afoot for the economic stimulus package geared at assisting persons and businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

One such way he said was to allow people who became unemployed- because of the response measures being taken to combat the virus- to register at the Department of Work Force and Labour.

Not repeating 'errors of the past'

“I know that there are those rushing the government to come up with an economic stimulus. We understand your concerns, but we are not going to repeat any errors of the past. The hurricanes of 2017 taught us a valuable lesson, and we either learn from it or get trapped in it,” the Premier pointed out.

Hon Fahie said, just like the government ‘took its time but moved with haste in the preventative measures of the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)’ in the territory, to ensure the safety of residents, “so will your government do the same with the economic stimulus package for your prosperity.” 

“As Minister of Finance, I will make an address on the preliminary economic stimulus plan for the people and the businesses of the VI in short order,” he added.

15 Responses to “1st phase of ‘economic stimulus package’ coming to Cabinet this week- Premier Fahie”

  • legal team (07/04/2020, 08:05) Like (14) Dislike (7) Reply
    For 8 years we searched for a real Premier.

    On 25th February,2019,we found him.

    He is here in 2020 for his people.

    One love BVI
    • shabazz (07/04/2020, 09:33) Like (5) Dislike (11) Reply
      "ONE TERM"
    • (07/04/2020, 14:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      You gotta be one who head so far up the crack
    • trrefdrfds (09/04/2020, 23:26) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      This government is struggling. Always behind the 8 ball.

      Curfew is good but it was not very well planned, very disorganized for such a small place.
      $2m for agriculture after the fact, we need to eat now not 2, 3 months down the road when the food finish growing.
      The economy was not very good before corona virus and will be even worse afterwards, the economic stimulus should have already been in place. Where are they going to get the money from? Fahie dilly dally on the loan guarantee. If you don't want the $300m, take what we need and get the country going. Stop playing politics.
  • Great... (07/04/2020, 08:05) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good Looking out....Seems like we going be lock down for a while.. I hear that the white paper with the Virus control agenda for OECS countries including the BVI Is Targetting May 15th for the reopening of ports and some control movements...Thats one thing, the other part is that Restaurants and Hotels will stay closed or hotel will just have a receptionist to take future bookings and restaurant will just operate with Bar staff.. As of May 1st Government offices will operate with a skelington staff, the most needed one for two weeks and hopefully by the 15th of May they back to full staff. Dont know how true this info is but it comes from acredible source.. Situation does change things so we have to just wait be patient corperrate..
  • Observer (07/04/2020, 08:23) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    MAY THE GREAT GOD OF THE UNIVERSE BE WITH YOU NOW AND FOREVER.
  • lord o. (07/04/2020, 08:46) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    No Money coming in and its hard to give out... This is a nan of a good heart... God will bless u with a prosperous economy...Their is a saying.. " Do good and surely goodness and mercy will follow u all the days of your life", your kids too.... The OECS countries are looking at a stimulus package also... $ 1000.00 EC or $400.00US for laid of workers for 3 months...Just saying.
  • Anonymous (07/04/2020, 09:02) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
    We would have dead if the lightweights like Aaron Myron sandy Travor Digo had got their hands on we county in times like these!!!

    The bvi people are wise, long live Andrew and the VIP
  • Boss (07/04/2020, 09:22) Like (6) Dislike (18) Reply
    We don’t want ayo money let the people go back out to work from pushing this agenda! Definitely can’t get my vote again
  • chick feed (07/04/2020, 10:13) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply

    HERE COMES THE GRAVY TRAINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN. 

  • home (07/04/2020, 15:44) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Send home the individuals who aren’t from here and are unemployed.
    • True (08/04/2020, 07:59) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      This is a good suggestion in case times get tougher. Of course we are very grateful for our brothers and sisters who are not from here but it is a small country. We will love those who work hard to make and honest living to eventually return but there is a lot who come here never work and will want to collect unemployment benefits but never pay Tax, SS or contributed anything since being in the country.
  • hard (07/04/2020, 17:08) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    I agree. Its going to be hard and I wont want that to happen. But if hard times really come and this is not resolved after three months the whole world is still unsettled then the burden will be on the government. Everyone will have to go to their home until things hopefully get better.
  • rewrsdffds (08/04/2020, 19:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I guess he meant next week


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