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'The next pillar is our people'- Premier Wheatley

- commends work of FORGE BVI in staging inaugural Builders Expo
One of the exhibitors of Builders Expo 2022 held by FORGE BVI on July 9, 2022 at Pockwood Pond. Photo: VINO
Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), centre, visits the exhibition of local contractor Rajah A. Smith, left. Right is Junior Minister for Trade and Economic Development Hon Shereen D. Flax-Charles (AL). Photo: VINO
Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), centre, visits the exhibition of local contractor Rajah A. Smith, left. Right is Junior Minister for Trade and Economic Development Hon Shereen D. Flax-Charles (AL). Photo: VINO
Some of the persons who attended the Builders Expo by FORGE BVI on July 9, 2022. Photo: VINO
Some of the persons who attended the Builders Expo by FORGE BVI on July 9, 2022. Photo: VINO
Participants of Builders Expo 2022 on July 9, 2022. Photo: VINO
Participants of Builders Expo 2022 on July 9, 2022. Photo: VINO
Participants of Builders Expo 2022 on July 9, 2022. Photo: VINO
Participants of Builders Expo 2022 on July 9, 2022. Photo: VINO
Participants of Builders Expo 2022 on July 9, 2022. Photo: VINO
Participants of Builders Expo 2022 on July 9, 2022. Photo: VINO
Participants of Builders Expo 2022 on July 9, 2022. Photo: VINO
Participants of Builders Expo 2022 on July 9, 2022. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Builders operating in the Virgin Islands over the past weekend heard from Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) that after Financial Services and Tourism, the people of the Virgin Islands make up the territory’s next pillar.

Premier Wheatley was at the time delivering brief remarks at FORGE BVI’s inaugural Builders Expo held on Saturday, July 9, 2022, at R&R Malone Complex in Pockwood Pond, Tortola.

Approximately twenty (20) exhibitors and over 150 attendees turned up for the workshops and exhibition.

During his remarks, Premier Wheatley said, “As Minister of Finance and as Premier and as one who is tasked with the responsibility of ensuring that our economy remains vibrant and strong, it is important for me to recognise that our existing pillars have certainly been serving us well throughout the last forty years or so, financial services, and tourism.”

'The next pillar is our people'- Premier Wheatley

However, according to Premier Wheatley, it is important to recognise that in order for the territory to continue to enjoy the over forty years of prosperity, one must begin to tap in on new streams of revenue and economic drivers.

“The next pillar is our people. The next pillar that will drive the economy of the Virgin Islands is our people,” Dr Wheatley said, adding that it is why entities like FORGE BVI is so important, as well as the event.

“Because to be able to create revenue for the government, to be able to create business opportunities, to be able to create employment opportunities for the people who inhabit these islands, we need the people of the Virgin Islands to have their potentials unleashed and unlocked”

Also present at the Builders Expo was Junior Minister for Trade and Economic Development, Honourable Shereen D. Flax-Charles (AL).

12 Responses to “'The next pillar is our people'- Premier Wheatley”

  • SB (14/07/2022, 09:08) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Will someone please explain to the premier what a pillar is?
    • @SB (14/07/2022, 10:10) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      I’ve been thinking all morning how to respond to this nonsense. People are pillars now? And third pillar too? Let me compose myself.
    • Native Senior Citizen of the British Virgin Islands (14/07/2022, 10:16) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
      @ SB: I too do know that the used of the word pillow is wrong in reference to the topic. Let's be fair, everyone make mistakes in their presentation. Why did you not explained him rather than asked another to do you probably could have done? Does exposing another error help us rise from where we are at this time? No, it does not.
      Next coming general election the majority of the BVI eledgible voters will decide his faith. It is our to judge his performance as the unity Government local Governor John J. Rankin apointed Premier



      • To Native (14/07/2022, 12:43) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        Let me correct your errors, rather than expose them

        In Your first line, the word is 'Pillar' as opposed to 'Pillow'. I think we all know what a pillow is.

        Jumping down to the second-to-last line (trying to ignore everything else in between) replace the word 'faith' with 'fate'. You always use the wrong tenses in your sentences.

        Not exposing your errors. Just correcting some of them.
  • Stealth (14/07/2022, 10:20) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hon Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley, (R-7), here is a news flash. The people, human capital, are the most important resource. They are numero uno. Political invariably give lip service to saying that people are the most important resource but in reality often put other resources ahead of people. It must effectively invest in its people.
    • Re (14/07/2022, 15:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ Stealth - Agreed 100%. I've learned from a very long time that PEOPLE ARE Our MOST IMPORTANT RESOURCE.
  • Native Senior Citizen of the British Virgin Islands going (14/07/2022, 10:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Truly the people of a country determine the success of the country, especially its political leaders,the BVI is now exception.
    (Factial truth)
  • What happened to... (14/07/2022, 12:08) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hmmm... What happened to the pillar for which the former Premier was nabbed?
  • HMMM (14/07/2022, 14:53) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Let's no correct the premier with the Dr. The people got the leader they deserved. Probably not the best or smartest but what they deserve. He is an indigenous Virgin Islander. He has all the qualifications he needs. You all leave him alone.
  • Reader (14/07/2022, 15:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I commend the organizers and participants of this expo. No doubt the attendees benefited greatly.
  • Native Senior Citizen of the British Virgin Islands going (14/07/2022, 17:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    @ To Native:
    Thank you. I welcome your correction.
    Pillar, not pillow.
    Be blessed.
  • pillar (15/07/2022, 11:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    He fails to realize his 'people' don't bring nothing to the economy


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