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

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