Business View Caribbean - February 2016 11
Our Goal Must be Self-Determination,
Says BVI Premier
While delivering the territory’s 2016 Budget Address
at the House of Assembly recently, Smith said, “I
envision a society that is environmentally friendly,
our capital and main town is clean, the internet is
freely accessible to anyone within its boundaries,
our infrastructure meets and exceed the needs of
our people and visitors that come to our shores,
where our children and senior citizens are protected
and taken care of and where crime is nonexistent.”
The premier added that, in order for the people of
the territory to realize their full potential, everyone’s
goal must be self-determination. He stated, “We
must do our work now and grow in maturity as a
people. Our future continues to depend on our abil-
ity to meet the challenges as they present them-
selves and to adapt, but to do so, without losing our
uniqueness.”
Smith affirmed his commitment to do everything in
his power to put the territory on the path to achiev-
ing this goal. He said there is an often unheralded
facet to why the BVI is able to thrive, adding that it is
the rule of law and the territory’s relatively low crime
rate. “I invite you and all the residents of the BVI
to consider very carefully that the industries from
which we earn our livelihood – tourism and financial
services – are not compatible with crime.”
He commended the work of the men and women
of the security organizations, led by the police at the
forefront, with customs and immigration on border
control, backed up by the financial investigations
agencies and the courts, to keep the British Virgin
Islands safe and protected.
The premier expressed his gratitude for the duties
they perform, and pledged to provide them with the
support they need to continue to operate efficiently
and credibly. He noted that there is a bright future
ahead, and that it will take commitment to country
and selfless sacrifice. Smith further urged all citizens
to work as a community to ensure the territory’s fu-
ture and that of its children.
Premier and minister of finance, Dr Orlando Smith, has outlined his vision tor
moving the British Virgin Islands towards self-sustainability.
