Premier Clarifies 'Open For Business' Statement

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Sherine Williams/BVI Platinum News

(PLTM) - Premier, Hon. Dr. D. Orlando Smith has sought to clarify his statement that the 'BVI is open for business', noting that he meant a significant portion of the economy was operating soon after Hurricane Irma struck.

The Premier made the statement at a press conference last month. Since then, he has received backlash from some sections of the Territory, who say the comment doesn't reflect the current condition of the BVI.

Speaking on a radio program on ZBVI on Sunday, November 19, Premier Smith said the open for business statement was true, because a significant part of the economy, largely the financial services sector, was doing business shortly after Irma.

"That sector was up and running within 24 to 48 hours. And that was able to be up and running because of the resiliency that was built into the system. The Registry, which is a significant part of corporate affairs, there were backup systems and so they were able to function...Corporate services can operate from anywhere. So they were able to travel outside of the BVI and continue their work," Premier Smith explained.

He then mentioned that the financial services sector continues to return to normalcy, as some 70 percent of the sector's employees who left the Territory have returned.

"The point I was making about 'open for business', a large portion of the economy was open for business. And then shortly after we had shops opening, we had restaurants opening...," Premier Smith clarified.

Soon after the Premier made the statement, many residents took to social media, denying that the BVI was back on its feet and was open for business. The residents bemoaned the state of roads, lack of electricity and lack of many vital goods and services in the Territory.

Opposition Leader,!Hon. Andrew Fahie had also criticized the Premier for his comment, saying the statement didn't reflect the reality of the people and the condition of the Territory.

Hon. Fahie said this kind of fake analysis could hurt the leadership of the Territory.

“Not building on a foundation of truth will cause hope and respect for leadership to die a quick and natural death. I firmly believe that the best days of the BVI are not our yesterdays, but rather our tomorrows, provided that we allow the new BVI to be built on a foundation of truth,” Hon. Fahie stated.

In the meantime, other local industries, including tourism, have since adopted the 'open for business' statement, telling international stakeholders that the Territory is recovering well and is once again ready to do business.

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