Virgin Islands news. In typical Virgin Islands style, BVI House, the London Office that represents the interests of the Government and people of the Virgin Islands in the UK and Europe, put on a most memorable pre-Christmas reception.
On Monday 25th November 2013, dignitaries from all over the UK which included former Governors, Overseas Territories Representatives, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Parliamentarians and many guests from all walks of life, graced the elegant and stately BVI House in London.
BVI House Director Mr Kedrick Malone.
Presiding over the evening’s pleasantries was the Premier himself Dr the honourable Daniel Orlando Smith OBE and wife Lorna Smith, Permanent Secretary, Director BVI International Finance Centre at BVI Government.
BVI House Director Mr Kedrick Malone officially opened the function with a short address that acknowledged and showed appreciation for the many strategic partners and stakeholders of BVI House including his staff. To a packed venue, he expressed optimism for the future stressing the need to deepen existing collaborative relationships to meet the goals of 2014.
Dr the honourable Daniel Orlando Smith OBE
The keynote speech was delivered by none other than Premier the honourable Dr Smith. See speech below:
My Lords, Members of Parliament, Colleagues from OT’s, Governors including our own Boyd McCleary, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, ladies and gentleman, good evening.
I am delighted that you have joined us for our annual Reception. I especially welcome those who are doing so for the first time.
It is always a pleasure to be in London to get together with you as colleagues and friends of the BVI. I welcome this chance to share with you some of the progress we are making and to in turn hear from you about how we might partner to achieve even greater success.
I know you want to get back to the business of networking so I promise to be brief.
Time certainly flies and I can hardly believe that a year has already passed since I spoke to most of you.
I know you would be keen to know how our economy is doing:
I am therefore happy to report that despite the many challenges which are by no means unique to the BVI, we have been able to maintain economic growth comparable with most major economies. We will therefore continue to pursue our objective of boosting further growth.
Within that context let me now brief you on a number of developments starting with our health sector.
Dr the honourable Daniel Orlando Smith OBE with special guests
I am proud to report to you that just last month the new Peebles Hospital building was completed and formally handed over to government. The building is a state of the art medical facility that will serve our residents and visitors and will give a greater sense of security to tourists visiting our islands. It will also open-up the possibility of developing a medical tourism industry to further diversify our economy.
We are now in the process of outfitting the building’s various units for a sophisticated modern medical institution. By the end of 2014 the new hospital is expected to be fully operational and ready to serve the public. It is important to note that that project started in earnest with our previous administration in 2007.
We continue to make good progress with several other major projects including a modern sewerage system, a new cruise pier and new airport facilities.
In the tourism sector, all indications point to a fine upcoming season with visitors coming from our traditional markets in the US and Europe. I take this opportunity to thank our London Director Ginny and her team for the fine work they continue to do in tourism and to thank all of you here who send business to the BVI. We really appreciate this, and I am pleased to confirm at this time that we have partnered with the industry to provide direct service from Antigua to BVI.
I am also pleased that we are emerging as a destination for travellers from Brazil and other parts of South America.
At home, we continue to attract investment into our hotel industry.
I am happy to announce that Sir Robert McAlpine Holdings will invest in the redevelopment of the Prospect Reef Resort located at the edge of our capital Road Town. The BVI continues to welcome business from investors who complement our brand as an elite tourism destination.
We are also keenly interested in investment in agriculture, fisheries, alternative energy, recycling, waste management, medical tourism and information and communication technology (ICT).
Our financial services sector remains steady as we continue to engage the industry on how we can raise our game and attract new business.
We are currently reviewing our regulatory regime to ensure that we continue to meet established international standards; and are following through on our commitments made in the lead-up to the G8 summit hosted by Prime Minister David Cameron earlier this year and subsequently.
I was privileged in September to officially open our BVI Hong Kong Office that will support our financial services and tourism interests in the Asia-Pacific region. A new director has been appointed in the person of Ms. Elise Donovan, a BVIslander, who many of you already know as the current Executive Director of the BVI International Finance Centre (IFC). She will commence her duties in January 2014.
I am grateful to Lorna who did there what she did here ten years ago, in getting the office off the ground with enthusiastic support from the industry
Turning to the environment, the BVI continues to be a leader in this area in the Caribbean.
Earlier this year, my Government successfully co-hosted the Caribbean Summit of Political and Business Leaders in the BVI along with Sir Richard Branson of the Virgin Group. There we launched the second phase of the Caribbean Challenge Initiative (CCI) that calls on participating governments to conserve at least 20% of their nearshore coastal and marine environment.
We are following through with deliberate action on our pledge to implement our Protected Areas System Plan, launch the Virgin Islands Climate Change Trust Fund and establish marine sanctuaries for sharks and rays. The BVI will continue to be a reliable partner in promoting environmental sustainability both at home and internationally.
Dr the honourable Daniel Orlando Smith OBE with wife Lorna Smith and guest
Just a few words about the BVI’s international priorities heading into 2014:
Next week at the 12th OCT-EU Forum in Brussels the BVI will assume the chairmanship of the Overseas Countries and Territories Association (OCTA) for the coming year. Our agenda as chair will focus on the four key priorities for territories associated with the European Union (EU): programming, political visibility, participation and partnership. Our goal will be to showcase the importance of the Territories to the world and to enhance their value through innovation, competitiveness and green growth.
My Government looks forward to representing the 26 EU associated territories and to welcoming the more than 200 delegates from around the world that will travel to the BVI late next year to attend the 13th OCT-EU Forum.
In terms of the BVI-UK relationship this remains solid: for the next two days here in London I will attend the Joint Ministerial Council where my OT colleagues and I will meet Minister Mark Simmonds and other UK Government ministers to continue building the new modern partnership between Britain and the Overseas Territories.
We have already begun to see the fruits of this partnership with BVI missions to the UK to explore cooperation on health and environment. At the local level our partnership with Hertfordshire County continues to develop across a number of sectors, particularly in education.
I am grateful for Prime Minister David Cameron’s and Mr. Simmond’s support in parliament for BVI and other territories that have developed thriving economies in which financial services play a critical part. I certainly agree with the Prime Minister that the BVI and other territories should no longer be labelled tax havens. We are leaders in transparency and will continue to remind the world of our achievements.
I am also grateful for the constructive role played by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office under the leadership of Foreign Secretary William Hague that has robustly supported the territories on communications and other matters.
In the halls of parliament, the BVI All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) has provided invaluable advice on issues related to our core interests.
As I close, I would like to thank all of our friends and supporters here in United Kingdom for their support and wish you a joyous holiday season in advance.
I thank you.
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