Premier Smith said the Small Business Bureau will be rebranded National Business Bureau. Photo: VINO

Kevin 'OJ' Smith inked a two year contract at $90,000 a year to assist Government with business development. Photo: VINO

According to Dr. Smith, the cornerstone of improving the quality of life and the standard of living of the people of the Virgin Islands is a vibrant economy and Government must ensure that its policies provide for economic growth and sustainability. “On a national level we will rebrand the small business bureau as the National Business Bureau to develop national business enterprises, so that they can contribute more meaningfully to the economy in the long term, through the provision of products and services as well as through employment."

The Premier added that Government would also use this Bureau to act as a channel for ideas from the public, and focus on creating a business friendly atmosphere where all businesses can thrive and be successful, while still being held to the highest service and product delivery standards. “Our approach will be one of inclusion and partnership with the private sector, with no idea being too big or too small for consideration.”

Dr. Smith, speaking at the re-launch and reload of OneMart Supermarket on Thursday, December 1, 2011, had assured persons already in business and those planning to start a business that his Government was going to put mechanisms in place to support such initiatives.

"What I expect is that over the next several years we will be seeing a lot of this kind of activities. Seeing more of reloading and re-launching of businesses and more launches of new businesses,” the Premier had stated.

Meanwhile, Government recently signed a ninety thousand dollar ($90,000.00) a year, two-year contract with Kevin ‘OJ’ Smith to perform duties as Business Development Liaison.

Speaking at the second House of Assembly sitting on December 21, 2011 the Premier had told residents, “Madam Speaker, entrepreneurs continue to face many challenges including access to capital and trained human resources, adequate management skills and limited markets for expansion. That is why we are working diligently to re-establish a Business Bureau to provide development assistance to entrepreneurs, to foster the growth of the business sector and to encourage new businesses as well. You see Madam Speaker, there are many VIslanders who are keen to start their own business and as a Government we must do all that we can to support them. Madam Speaker, we have contracted Mr. Kevin Smith as Business Development Liaison for two years to provide development assistance to businesses. Businesses will only thrive if they are given the necessary support to do so and we are pleased to have Mr. Smith on board in this capacity”.

Dr. Smith had went on to say that, “Mr. Smith, who sits in the Premier’s Office, has been vigorously reaching out to our businesses. Madam Speaker, he is overseeing the strategic direction of the programmes and activities of the business bureau. He is closely monitoring the global economic, social and other developments that affect businesses and is coordinating the requisite activities for identification and implementation of funding facilities”.