Business

Market Square project to contribute to 2.9% economic growth target: gov’t

Published

2 years ago

February 15, 2023

Editor

Premier Natalio Wheatley speaks at Market Square opening ceremony in Road Town, Tortola

By MERRICK ANDREWS, Online News Editor

(JTV News) — The British Virgin Islands economy is projected to grow by “2.9 percent during 2023”. And the Road Town Market Square will contribute to this target.

That’s according to a press release from the Department of Information and Public Relations in an article about the opening of the Market Square on Monday.

“The Premier has previously mentioned that based on the current economic strategy that is being employed by the government, in addition to global economic indicators, the Virgin Islands economy is projected to experience 2.9% growth during 2023,” the release stated. “The Road Town Market Square will contribute to enhancing the economic capabilities of the Territory to ensure that the economic growth target is achieved.”

The Premier said the Market Square project has opened opportunities for present and future generations of entrepreneurs. In addition, he said a wide cross-section of consumers, artisans, manufacturers, and producers will now benefit from a designated physical location.

“I am quite pleased as the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries to see these entrepreneurs here being able to sell their produce,” Premier Wheatley is quoted as saying in the release.

The premier went on to say, according to the release, that the territory’s food security efforts will also be boosted “through greater accessibility to locally provided goods and services in a regulated commercial space” and this will ensure that the consumption and production of local food is promoted.

“We are going to celebrate this, and we are going to move forward to other projects where we can advance the interests of the people of the Virgin Islands,” Premier Wheatley is quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, Deputy Premier and Minister for Communications and Works Kye M. Rymer gave a historical background on the Market Square at the opening ceremony.

He said the project, which commenced with a groundbreaking ceremony on Octoberm 12, 2020, is a signature project of the Government of the Virgin Islands to foster entrepreneurship and economic growth.

He noted that the City of Road Town had been without a market for several years, and this government ensured that this was one of its priority projects to be executed.

“The Market Square is a historical site established in the 1970s,” he continued,“ and was the fourth official Market Day venue in the Territory. It is truly heart-warming to see the transformation of the Market Square from my earlier years of visiting the market with my grandmother to the structures that we see today. I cannot help but to reminisce on the commute to Road Town to sell amongst the other vendors or attend events here as a teenager. The Market Square is undeniably a prominent landmark within the City.”

This Market Square project comprises:

One bandstand building to serve as a localised gathering location for cultural activities and events
One bathroom building with access and accommodations for persons with disabilities
16 sixteen kiosks
Six 10′ x 10′ kiosks and ten 12′ x 12′ kiosks.
Each kiosk will be enclosed with hurricane-rated shutters, and these shutters, when opened will provide shelter for patrons from the sun and rain
Each kiosk is also equipped with a sink for handwashing and electrical power
Bus shelter: constructed in the open area adjacent to the road with benches to accommodate up to 25 persons; serve as the central point for passengers to gather for collection by the bus operators

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Business

British Virgin Islands Seeks Consultancy for Digital Economy Overhaul

Published

3 days ago

September 17, 2024

Editor

The government of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) has issued a tender for proposals to revolutionise its digital economy. This ambitious project will involve the development of digital identities, ID systems, payment platforms and data exchange frameworks. The winning bid will be responsible for evaluating the current state of government agencies and the territory’s digital public infrastructure.

According to the tender released on September 12, the chosen consultant will report directly to the Permanent Secretary and collaborate closely with the Digital Transformation Steering Committee. The consultancy will be structured into three key phases:

Phase One: Digital Maturity Assessment

This phase will involve assessing the current digital maturity of government entities by identifying gaps and benchmarking against best practices. The assessment will cover IT infrastructure, policies, platform development and maintenance, service delivery channels, data management practices, and the digital literacy of government employees.

Phase Two: Strategy Development and Implementation Roadmap

In this phase, the consultant will develop a comprehensive Digital Transformation Strategy and an implementation roadmap. This will include outlining initiatives, timelines, resource allocation, prioritisation, risk management, and a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) framework.

Phase Three: Enabling Environment

The final phase will focus on reviewing the existing legal, regulatory, and policy framework. The consultant will propose reforms to align with international standards and best practices in data protection, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies.

The tender explained that this phase will also aim to promote innovation and growth in the digital economy while safeguarding public interest and consumer rights. Additionally, it will ensure that digital transformation efforts are inclusive and suited to the specific context of Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

The consultant will also conduct a cybersecurity risk assessment and develop a comprehensive cybersecurity framework.

Business

Xmas in July Donates £6,000 to Support Marine Conservation in the BVI

Published

2 weeks ago

September 5, 2024

Editor

Wally Castro Marine, organisers of the 2024 Xmas in July event, have donated £6,000 to Beyond the Reef, a non-profit organisation dedicated to marine education and preservation in the British Virgin Islands. The funds were raised through the sale of the event’s official reusable stainless steel tumblers, one of several eco-friendly initiatives introduced this year.

“This initiative reflects our desire to raise awareness about the importance of protecting our beaches,” said Wally Castro, owner of Wally Castro Marine. “We are proud to support a local organisation that shares our dedication to environmental stewardship.”

The 2024 Xmas in July event, held on 20th July at Pond Bay Beach in Virgin Gorda, attracted nearly 5,000 attendees and 500 vessels. It set a new standard for eco-conscious planning by minimising its environmental impact through reusable products and strict waste disposal measures.

Members of Beyond the Reef were actively involved in overseeing tumbler sales, while the Valley Sound Lions Club provided local dishes, further supporting the fundraising efforts.

“We are deeply grateful for this donation,” said Kendyl Berna, founder of Beyond the Reef. “Our oceans are a vital but fragile resource, and it’s crucial that everyone who enjoys the sea does so responsibly.”

The event, organised by Wally Castro Marine in partnership with the BVI Tourist Board and Marcos Rivera, highlights the importance of sustainable tourism in the region.

“By choosing the BVI, attendees support our local economy and marine tourism industry,” said Clive McCoy, BVI tourism director. “They also help our local non-profits continue their vital work.”

For more information, visit Wally Castro Marine’s website or contact the BVI Tourism Office in Puerto Rico.

Business

Flow Pledges Full Restoration of Fixed Network Following Tropical Storm Ernesto

Published

3 weeks ago

August 29, 2024

Editor

Leading telecommunications provider Flow has reaffirmed its commitment to fully restoring its fixed network, including broadband, landline, and television services, after widespread damage from Tropical Storm Ernesto. The company’s technical teams have been working tirelessly to reconnect customers affected by the storm, which disrupted essential services across the region.

Since Ernesto made landfall, Flow has mobilized additional resources, including field technicians and engineers, to expedite recovery efforts. The primary focus has been on assessing and repairing damaged infrastructure, reconnecting homes and businesses, and ensuring that critical services are brought back online throughout the Territory.

“Within the first three days, we restored 95% of mobile connections. Our fixed network connectivity has significantly improved from 20% to 93% for internet service,” said Nadia A. James, Marketing and Communications Coordinator at Flow. “Our teams are dedicated to restoring connectivity for impacted customers and are working around the clock, seven days a week, to make this happen. We will continue to update the community on repair progress.”

Restoration efforts are underway in numerous Tortola communities, including Belle Vue, Road Town, Huntum’s Ghut, Lower Estate, Long Look, Greenland, Fat Hog’s Bay, Sea Cow’s Bay, Towers, Carrot Bay, Mount Healthy, Spooner’s Estate, and Chalwell Estate. Concurrent work is also taking place in Virgin Gorda.

“We know how vital connectivity is, especially in the wake of a storm,” added James. “Our goal is not just to restore services but to rebuild a stronger, more resilient network that can withstand future storms. We are committed to reconnecting our customers and delivering the reliable service they expect from Flow.”