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Public consultation on Trade Legislation starts Tuesday, March 23, 2021

- Contents of Business Licencing Act, 2020 & Virgin Islands Investment Act, 2020 to be shared with public
The Government of the Virgin Islands of Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), left, will be hosting a series of public meetings on two proposed Trade Legislation: Business Licencing Act, 2020 and Virgin Islands Investment Act, 2020. Photo: GIS/File
The public discussion will be led by Junior Minister for Trade and Economic Development, Honourable Shereen D. Flax-Charles (AL) who will detail the contents of the proposed Acts and the shared economic benefits to be derived from the Trade Commission. Photo: Facebook/File
The public discussion will be led by Junior Minister for Trade and Economic Development, Honourable Shereen D. Flax-Charles (AL) who will detail the contents of the proposed Acts and the shared economic benefits to be derived from the Trade Commission. Photo: Facebook/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Government of the Virgin Islands is hosting a series of public meetings on two proposed Trade Legislation: Business Licencing Act, 2020 and Virgin Islands Investment Act, 2020.

The discussion, according to a press release from Government Information Service (GIS) on March 19, 2021, will be led by Junior Minister for Trade and Economic Development, Honourable Shereen D. Flax-Charles (AL) who will detail the contents of the proposed Acts and the shared economic benefits to be derived from the Trade Commission.

Honourable Flax-Charles will be joined by Senior Policy Anaylst/Strategic Advisor, Ms Lizette O. George and Consultant to Premier’s Office Mrs Ayiesha deCoutou-Sammy.

Schedules for the public meetings are as follows:

  • Tuesday, March 23 at 5:30 pm at the Catholic Community Centre on Virgin Gorda
  • Wednesday, March 24 at 11:00 am at Foxy’s on Jost Van Dyke
  • Sunday, March 28 at 3:00 pm at the Claudia Creque Educations Centre on Anegada
  • Monday, March 29 at 6:00 pm at the Althea Scatliffe Primary School on Tortola

The Tortola meeting will be broadcast live on the Government of the Virgin Islands’ Facebook page @BVI Government and CBN FLOW TV Channel 101, or persons can listen via CBN Radio 90.9 FM.

The public can make their contributions to the Acts in writing via e-mail to vitradecommission@gov.vg with the subject, “Trade Legislation” or hand deliver to the Premier’s Office.

12 Responses to “Public consultation on Trade Legislation starts Tuesday, March 23, 2021”

  • This one term government, (21/03/2021, 09:40) Like (1) Dislike (31) Reply
    U need to focus on giving people who here more than 30 yrs their status, its so unfair people who been living here for 30 plus years can't get their Status with no criminal record, because someone in the system dont like that person, Yet others as they make 20 yrs they get tbeir status because they have friends in the System. This is Something the COI need to look into and its for this injust reason why I support the COI 100%. I also support that the COI look at people who have been here for more than 30 yrs have the rights to vote, especially those with children and grand children born here status or no status, if one can prove they been living here for more than 30yrs, they should be allow to vote, they cant be purnished for not having status, thats the authorities issue..I have 3 friends one here for 40 yrs, with grand children cant get status because someone in immigration who has a personal grievance with that person wrote something bad on their file, another one over 30 yes, cant even get an answet as to the status of their application, another one who been here over 35 yrs couldn't even get resident status been teaching for 30 yrs and just getting disrespected by a lady in immigration until a friend of his spoke to Ronnie when NDP was in power on his behalf, in a matter of 2 weeks he got his papers, thats why I will forever love Ronnie and vote for him. I hope Ronnie comes back to take his rightful place, he is the leader the BVI needs.. I just hate unfairness and injustice.., Mr Governor, help the people pls, even if it means replace this G.
    • HMMM (21/03/2021, 12:58) Like (21) Dislike (0) Reply
      Aren't you from some place already? Wha darm status yo talking bout? Ayo want to live in the BVI for free and get all the benefits like the natives who in return can never get it if they were living in ayo country
    • @this one term government (21/03/2021, 14:50) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      So you can write to the COI with this issue. Blogging here wont help if the COI does not get that information. Www.bvi.public- inquiry.uk
    • @this one term government (23/03/2021, 13:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Your post is the most foolish post I ever read. Persons like you should be locked up.
  • Rubber Duck (21/03/2021, 10:01) Like (10) Dislike (18) Reply
    The Business Licensing Act is a disaster that brings nothing at all in the way of business encouragement, zero, it is never mentioned. What it does bring is massively increased bureaucracy, vastly increased licensing costs and draconian government powers to interfere. It will do absolutely nothing to encourage or improve business in the BVI and plenty to discourage it. Make no mistake this is a Stalinist anti entrepreneurial act that needs to be stopped now.
    • Duckbwrite in (21/03/2021, 14:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Sonparticioate in the consultations. Email vitradecommission@gov.vg with your recommendations as to how the bull as it can be changed and improved. We want to hear from you
      • Rubber Duck (21/03/2021, 19:38) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        These are some of the main points of the bill...

        Trade license costs will increase to a maximum of $1500 for belongers and $15000 for non belongers. How and who makes these decisions is not specified.
        Certificates of good standing from all the usual sources will be required from everyone with every trade license application or renewal. Probably extra expensive bureaucratic BS like Certificates of incumbency will be required for companies. Depending as usual upon the whim of the clerk you are dealing with.
        The government can refuse to renew a trade license if they don’t wish to. There are no clear rules about when they can do that. So again it will probably depend on the whim of the clerks.
        The government can reserve certain businesses ( not specified which businesses or who they are reserved to ) But we all know that it will be the cronies and supporters.
        The government can upon its whim take over any business it feels like. Compensation will be paid at a rate to be decided. Probably by the government.

        There is nothing in the bill that promotes enterprise. It is designed to stifle enterprise and increase government interference in trade.

        Stalin would be proud.



  • Rubber Duck (21/03/2021, 10:01) Like (11) Dislike (3) Reply
    How the country haters say vip don’t consult? We putting back in vip all the way
    • Rubber Duck (21/03/2021, 11:34) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
      If you are incapable of thinking up your own name, you are certainly not capable of any thought anyone is interested in.
    • WHAT!!!! (21/03/2021, 11:50) Like (1) Dislike (6) Reply
      Yes the VIP do consult but do they listen or just go ahead and do what they want to anyway regardless?
  • tretretrete (21/03/2021, 10:59) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    That new ting is set in place for the folks with deep pockets AKA Foreign Investment because the small man have to jump over all manner of hurdles in various government departments not to mention the banks. that new department you will soon see
  • @ ONE TEAM GOVERNMENT (21/03/2021, 16:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    You need to do more research and state fact. Certainly you don't know the facts. 30 or 40 years if a person does not apply and with all the necessary documentation how do you expect then to receive status. I know lots of folks who have not applied so why are you trying to paint any government black. Every story has 3 sides. So sorry we only can see our own side.


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