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London Office can play significant role more than ever- Kedrick Malone

Director of BVI London Office, Kedrick Malone updates the media on plans for 2012. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Given what is taking place on the global scene including the economic crisis, the unprecedented pressures on financial services and on the Territory to honour agreements made by the United Kingdom with the United Nations and other agencies, Director of the BVI London Office Kedrick Malone believes that more now than ever the presence of the BVI London office can play a significant role and will be required.

Updating the media on plans for 2012, today February 28, 2012 at Central Administrative Complex, Mr. Malone said the Virgin Islands is being shaped by unprecedented activities and that unprecedented events including the global economic recession and the unprecedented pressures on the financial services and the global financial crisis are going to be shaping what happens in the relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union and the VI and such activities present the London Office with unprecedented opportunities and unprecedented challenges.

The Director noted that the Office has already been working with the new Government on charting the way forward and over the last two weeks has been engaged in meetings at various levels all in getting a clear understanding of the work and policies of Government. He noted too that the London Office has already played host to Premier Dr. D. Orlando Smith, Deputy Premier Dr. Kedrick Pickering and Minister for Education and Culture Hon. Myron Walwyn.

Speaking on the effectiveness of the London Office, Mr. Malone said it has been extremely effective with its presence in London. “It says to the world and the business community and the various sectors and to the parliament that the territory has a seriousness about international programmes and certainly being a global player in financial services and being a global tourism destination you need to be there, you have to be present, you have to be represented and you have to be represented by your people of the Territory. I think that makes a big difference.”

Mr. Malone added that UK Parliamentarians are very appreciative of dialoguing with someone from the Territory and pay extra attention to what is being said and that they also feel that when they ask a question they are given an answer from the perspective of the Territory.

“It’s good that when officials come to the Territory that you already have a place where you can have your programmes established and you have relationships already established that you can benefit from. I think that is invaluable when you are a global country like the BVI.”

Asked what the London Office would like to see happen Mr. Malone said it is important for the people of the Territory to be more aware of what is happening internationally and how that is impacting or will impact the Territory. “Certainly we can see in financial services that in the UK Parliament there are almost daily discussions about tax issues and the unprecedented pressure that the UK and other countries are under and that certainly is having an impact on financial services as regulations change....There are regular discussions on air passenger duty which impacts travels out of the UK to the Territory including the Caribbean.”

Mr. Malone noted too that there are daily discussions about environmental issues that affect the Territory and that it has an obligation to meet the requirements of the Agreements that the UK makes with the United Nations and other agencies. “There are so many different areas where our interests are tied to the interest in the UK and the European Union...”

According to the Director, the London Office is there to have engagements to ensure that the good name of the BVI is protected. “When you have a good name like the BVI you really have to make sure that things remain that way.”

8 Responses to “London Office can play significant role more than ever- Kedrick Malone ”

  • Jinx (28/02/2012, 15:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The London Office should help the bvi students with housing. As a past student it is difficult when it comes to getting establish with a place to stay. That is how they can help.
  • out soon (28/02/2012, 15:07) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    bouy Kedrick your days are numbered as the man wife wants you out of that office because you are VIP....but I must say you doing good work!! and do not apply for the post when it advertise like what they told Cherry....
    • zoe (28/02/2012, 19:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      i hope this is just gosscip and not ture for mr. Malone has done outstanding works.
  • Nonsense (28/02/2012, 20:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Pure crap! Hot air! He is on Ch 51 right now. Just listen to him and you will realize that he isn't do much really. Just talk talk talk. Fluff.
  • one eye roster (29/02/2012, 03:07) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Who is paying for these “update” trips?? In the age of confrence calls, vidio tapes, GIS and the likes why he here every min????suck teeth
  • Last Update (29/02/2012, 09:14) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Kedrick Malone when I did a search for last year update you were saying the same thing. I agree that the London Office can be very helpful to the territory but I don't see how you are doing that right now. You spoke of the hertfordshire agreement in the last update that the Premier recently signed but you can use the Department of Information to give these minimal updates? “It says to the world and the business community and the various sectors and to the parliament that the territory has a seriousness about international programmes and certainly being a global player in financial services and being a global tourism destination you need to be there, you have to be present, you have to be represented and you have to be represented by your people of the Territory. I think that makes a big difference.” So when these people come to the UK what happens? All I see is news in papers and blogs that this body went London etc but I don't see the results of the meeting. We must be able to see something happening in the BVI as a result. The UK have a lot of information but Kedrick seem to be keeping the information to himself. "There are regular discussions on air passenger duty which impacts travels out of the UK to the Territory including the Caribbean." Tell us how and what are you doing? Don't come down to be on the radio every morning on TV because you think we are stupid and just like hearing you. I hope the Premier looking into that London Office carefully because we need to know whats going on. We need direct answers and direct information.
    • Well well well (01/03/2012, 06:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Just to add my ill 2cents I heard some of the staff being treated like dirt. So the powers to be need to start speaking to the staff members a bit more to find out what's been happenin!


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