ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The report by the Financial Times’ fDi Intelligence division naming the Virgin Islands (VI) as having the Caribbean’s best quality of life comes as no surprise to Minister for Communication and Works Julian Fraser, RA, however, he has expressed disappointment that the VI is not rated among the top internet users per capita.
The report, which ranks what it deems the region’s “Countries of the Future,” covers several categories, including economic potential, infrastructure, business friendliness and foreign direct investment strategy, ranked Bermuda as having the most internet users per capita, followed by Saint Lucia.
Speaking to Virgin Islands News Online, Hon. Fraser pointed out that as Minister for Communications, he has always been advocating for easier and cheaper access to internet by citizens since it was one of the things that made life “good and great” and was a little disappointed to know that Bermuda and St. Lucia were leading the VI as heavy users of the internet.
He noted that internet access in the United States and the United Kingdom were significantly cheaper than in the Virgin Islands and that he would continue to advocate for more affordable internet accessibility for the Territory.
Among English-speaking Caribbean nations, Turks and Caicos had the best economic potential, Antigua and Barbuda had the best infrastructure, Saint Lucia had the best business friendliness and BVI was named as having the region’s best quality of life. Coming in second in that category was Bermuda, followed by the Cayman Islands.
The quality of life ranking was based on a number of factors, including life expectancy, infant mortality, GDP PPP per capita, unemployment, crime and secondary enrolment.
Minister Fraser said the good report for the VI comes as no surprise to him and was actually expecting such comment as it also comes on the heels of FCO Director of Overseas Territories, Colin Roberts’ comments about the VI’s handling of its finances.
FCO Colin Roberts
“All BVIslanders should not be surprised. If you travel the Caribbean and even the world you would see that there is something very unique about the BVI. The people would be happy to know that the Virgin Islands Party did all to make it what it is and we expect to be back in office to continue the work and make things even greater.”
The report’s judging panel was comprised of Alfredo Coutinho, director for Latin America at Moody’s Analytics, Bowers Consulting owner John Bowers and Jacqueline Wells, senior investment analyst at fDi Intelligence.
Article from Virgin Islands News Online
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