Starting next Wednesday in Road Town, newly elected Deputy Premier Lorna Smith will host a series of district consultations about how the government can support the territory’s business community.

Ms. Smith — who is also the minister of financial services, labour and trade — plans to focus the sessions on small and medium-sized businesses, according to Government Information Services.

“Small and medium-sized enterprises are the economic lifeblood of any country, and in order to fully understand the needs of our SME leaders, it is important to hear from them directly on their priorities and challenges in order for them to continue to contribute to this economy,” Ms. Smith said in a GIS press release.

The labour commissioner will attend the meetings as well, according to government.

Work permit system

Ms. Smith also announced that a review of the work permit system is underway, and that she has met with banking leaders to see how they can better serve residents.

She added that she believes she has been making progress since taking office in April, but she acknowledged that businesses need to be able to access the right skills and services, according to government.

“We were elected on a promise to help them do this, and I am committed to an ongoing working relationship with them to make sure it happens,” the minister said in the release. “I am truly looking forward to a good turnout and frank engagement between us.”

While tourism and financial services account for the majority of government revenues, 57 percent of the territory’s economic output in 2018 came from outside these sectors, she added.

Next Wednesday

All meetings will be held from 5 to 7:30 p.m. The first will combine Districts Four and Five, and it will be held next Wednesday at Maria’s by the Sea.

Venues for the other meetings will be announced soon, according to government.

For more information, contact Darlene Forbes at 468-2096.

Want to go?

Deputy Premier Lorna Smith — who is also the minister of financial services, labour and trade — will meet with leaders from small and medium-sized businesses during a series of sessions in different districts in the coming weeks.

June 21 

Districts 4 and 5 at Maria’s by the Sea 

June 26 

Districts 7 and 8: TBA 

June 27 

District 2: TBA 

June 28 

District 3: TBA 

June 29 

District 6: TBA 

June 30 

District 1: TBA 

July 3 

District 9: TBA