Business
BVI gov’t launches Vision 2036
By Department of Information and Public Relations
(GIS) — Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr. the Honourable Natalio Wheatley has said that the people of the Virgin Islands are at the heart of the National Sustainable Development Plan that is to be launched this week.
The Premier said the plan that will be launched by the Government of the Virgin Islands on Monday, 27th February, reinforces a balanced, people-centred Territory that engenders strong governmental institutions, underpinned by sustainable economic, environmental, and social development.
“I am appreciative that at this juncture in our history as a people, we are actively engaging in an agenda for a more inclusive society, that will not only serve our generation, but generations to come,” the Premier said.
He added, “Sustainable development in our economy, our environment, and in our social framework, is a catalyst for devising the future we want to create.”
The plan which will be launched under the theme, “Vision 2036: Building a Sustainable Virgin Islands” proposes six overarching goals that act as guiding principles for the National Sustainable Development Plan. They seek to safeguard and promote the following: Health and Wellness; Education and Learning; Economy; Infrastructure; Good Governance; and the Environment.
The document was formulated after extensive consultation with the public, including the Virgin Islands diaspora, and local and international stakeholders across sectors and subsectors. After more than 70 of these consultations, the insight, recommendations and viewpoints were strategically utilised to influence the conceptualisation and execution of the plan.
“The people of the Virgin Islands can claim ownership of this plan. It was essentially written by the people who will be the ones to bring it into reality, for it was crafted around their vision for themselves and the Virgin Islands,” Premier Wheatley said.
The Premier also expressed his gratitude to Economic Commission of Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and their Head Consultant Dr. June Soomer for their support and technical assistance in the development of the National Development Sustainable Plan. Her team was instrumental in ensuring that the interests of the private sector, the financial services, farmers, fisher folk, and members of civil society, tourism sector, and sports personnel were adequately represented.
The Government of the Virgin Islands remains resolute in the promotion of the overall development of the Territory through its robust sustainable development agenda.
Business
British Virgin Islands Seeks Consultancy for Digital Economy Overhaul
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
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
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.”
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