Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

VI economy has ‘fared well’ despite COVID-19 challenges – Premier Fahie

- Says 2020 budget will be based on innovation around the coronavirus pandemic
Ahead of the Budget Presentation on November 12, 2020, Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) said the territory has fared well despite the challenges that came as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Photo: Facebook/File
Premier Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has underscored that through innovation, the job of his administration now is to open the minds and appetite of the people which will be done in the upcoming budget. Photo: VINO/File
Premier Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has underscored that through innovation, the job of his administration now is to open the minds and appetite of the people which will be done in the upcoming budget. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Ahead of the National Budget Address on Thursday, November 12, 2020, Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) said the territory has fared well despite the challenges that came as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

“This year's budget is based on the innovation side, last year's budget was based on making sure that we get to green energy and we get the green smart… we're going to do the same thing now but all thrust is going to be through innovation and also through entrepreneurship.” 

The Premier was at the time speaking during a GIS interview on November 5, 2020, following the delivery of the Speech from the Throne by Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert.

“We have to look and see how do we bring some new business persons onstream in new areas because COVID-19 has forced us to dispose of some of the old ways of doing business and some of the old businesses because now it has shown us that there are plenty more areas out there that persons can invest in and also blossom financially, and bring jobs to the territory,” Hon Fahie said. 

No public service layoffs - Premier Fahie 

The Premier underscored that, through innovation, the job of his administration now is to open the minds and appetite of the people. This he said will be done in the upcoming budget.

"Despite the challenges financially, we have still fared well...We were not in a position where we had to lay off any public officers.”

He said; however, the Government is working to address the challenges that private entities faced as a result of the pandemic.

"The private sector took some very heavy blows, and we're working on that in terms of how do we stimulate the economy on that end. We are in constant conversation and we're going to get it done,” the Premier and Minister of Finance assured.

10 Responses to “VI economy has ‘fared well’ despite COVID-19 challenges – Premier Fahie”

  • tri-party opposition (10/11/2020, 12:26) Like (14) Dislike (8) Reply
    Is this guy living in lala land?
  • What? (10/11/2020, 12:29) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mayve Tortola but the other islandsnot so well I have earned $0.00 since March 20th Jost Van Dyke, Anegada do not have population bases in non tourism jobs earnming money to move around thier islands. So I say again,maybe Tortola!
  • Heckler (10/11/2020, 12:44) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    What is the public service unfunded pension liability? Is it almost as much as the SSB reserve yet? I would like to see what the Government balance sheet looks like with that liability properly calculated.
  • Rubber Duck (10/11/2020, 14:03) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    The bloated bureaucrats are OK so everything is fine. The wrecked hotels, decimated charter business, bankrupt Villa owners and empty restaurants are obviously of no importance. More like North Korea every day.
  • Your economy (10/11/2020, 14:51) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Only your economy faring very well. You sleeping too good with some big snores.
  • Oh Boy.. (10/11/2020, 15:06) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    The BVI will be ok in time to come. But for now things look dark and black...The present depends highly on the open borders protocols....So I Suggest every one has to be quarantine on land for three days until arriving test results are known, those staying 14 days or less free to Rome, those spending more than 2 weeks will have to Quarantine at a place of their choice for another 4 days at a place of their choice being monitored by the bracelet and the app.... That's the forward moving plan.....
  • Boo (10/11/2020, 16:19) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    As expected its DOA like the tourist season
  • keep it real (11/11/2020, 13:29) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    All the money in the world can't replace good health. The administration has done the right thing through this all. It may be difficult for some of us but we have life. We could have all the money we need to pay for funerals if things go wrong with Covid here.


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.