"The light that comes from wisdom never goes out"
When I left the Virgin Islands on Wednesday, March 11 for a short trip to Austin, Texas, things seemed mostly like business as usual. A brief COVID-19 scare in the …
Continue reading “Quarantined: Business editor recounts journey back to VI”
Carolyn O’Neal Morton, a former teacher and head of the Ministry of Education and Culture, has been appointed the new permanent secretary in the Premier’s Office, as Kedrick Malone’s six-month …
Continue reading “Carolyn O’Neal Morton to head Premier’s Office”
On Tuesday at the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park, the doors of shops and restaurants were flung wide open to the roughly 4,000 passengers aboard the Disney Fantasy moored …
Last week Premier Andrew Fahie provided some previously missing data on the amount of revenue the Customs Department collected from licensed duty-free merchants at the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier …
Continue reading “Answers on Tortola Pier Park customs duty raise questions”
Thirty Virgin Islanders have jobs because a new gas station and car wash is taking part in government’s “1,000 Jobs in 1,000 Days” programme, officials said this week. Owner Allison …
Continue reading “Plaza partners with government job effort”
The “Business Solutions Forum” on financial services last week was closed to the media, but BVI Finance said in a subsequent press release that the approximately 80 attendees discussed “infrastructure, …
Government held the second of its Business Solutions Forums on Tuesday — though any ideas arising from the forums have yet to be revealed to the public. Tuesday’s forum, held …
Continue reading “Solutions Forum held for financial services”
Seated next to Premier Andrew Fahie during a surprise press conference at Village Cay, Alvera Maduro-Caines announced Monday afternoon that she had resigned from the National Democratic Party and will …
Continue reading “Alvera Caines-Maduro, D-6 rep, crosses the aisle to Virgin Islands Party”
Premier Andrew Fahie last week responded to the French blacklisting of the Virgin Islands, calling it a “misunderstanding” involving a delay in responding to French requests for tax information that …
A group of around 40 of what BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association Chairwoman Shaina Smith called the “unsung heroes” of the Virgin Islands economic recovery gathered on Tuesday …
Continue reading “Business and government share dialogue in “solution forum””
The Virgin Islands financial services industry has seen “minimal” impact from the recent pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, Premier Andrew Fahie said while answering a question from Opposition Leader Marlon …
Continue reading “Premier sees “minimal” impact from Hong Kong protests”
As officials walked through the doors of the Governor’s Office on Friday morning, some of them joked around with Transportation, Works and Utilities Minister Kye Rymer, saying he wasn’t ready …
Continue reading “Vincent Wheatley sworn in as new deputy premier”
While Premier Andrew Fahie visited London this week following a public spat with United Kingdom officials, opposition members launched a series of community meetings and pushed back against Mr. Fahie’s …
Over the past five weeks, Recovery and Development Agency CEO Paul Bayly scheduled and cancelled three interviews with the Beacon before ultimately declining to speak at the reported request of …
Aspiring marine professionals will get new opportunities to train in all aspects of the industry after Premier Andrew Fahie launched the new “Back to the Sea” Maritime Industry Training Programme …
The government needs $8.3 million to get the territory’s airports back on track after the newly installed BVI Airports Authority board discovered “a rabbit hole of mismanagement, deception, profligacy, and …
Continue reading “Fahie: Airports a ‘rabbit hole’ of mismanagement”
Beginning yesterday, applicants for permanent residency and belongership have three weeks to apply to the Immigration Department for consideration under the modified “fast-track programme” designed to clear the backlog of …
Price control is “not the focus” of the 99-page draft Consumer Protection Act, 2019, said Junior Trade Minister Sharie de Castro (R-at large), even though she acknowledged that price gouging …
Continue reading “Price control ‘not the focus’ of consumer protection bill”
The government is holding a series of meetings with business owners and the wider community to gain input in preparation for the second and third readings of the Consumer Protection …
Continue reading “Government seeks input on consumer protection bill”
Both United Kingdom and United States law enforcement agencies have praised the overseas territories’ systems for exchanging beneficial ownership information, with UK Home Secretary Sajid Javid calling them “extremely useful” …
Continue reading “BOSSS system praised by United Kingdom, United States”
Six former legislators were honoured on Monday at the official Territory Day celebration, during which speakers also explored the legacy of colonialism in Virgin Islands history. The only living honouree …
Premier Andrew Fahie vowed on Friday to get the West End port facility open to international ferries by Aug. 1, describing the situation during a House of Assembly sitting as …
Continue reading “Fahie: West End port to open to international ferries by August”
An amendment related to the controversial “fast-track” plan to residency and belongership being championed by Premier Andrew Fahie is scheduled for a hearing in the House of Assembly on Monday, …
The people of Sabbath Hill are suffering regular water rationing due to the diversion of water towards Balsam Ghut, according to Transportation, Works and Utilities Minister Kye Rymer. The disclosure …