'The next pillar is our people'- Premier Wheatley

Builders operating in the Virgin Islands over the past weekend heard from Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) that after Financial Services and Tourism, the people of the Virgin Islands make up the territory’s next pillar.

Premier Wheatley was at the time delivering brief remarks at FORGE BVI’s inaugural Builders Expo held on Saturday, July 9, 2022, at R&R Malone Complex in Pockwood Pond, Tortola.

Approximately twenty (20) exhibitors and over 150 attendees turned up for the workshops and exhibition.

During his remarks, Premier Wheatley said, “As Minister of Finance and as Premier and as one who is tasked with the responsibility of ensuring that our economy remains vibrant and strong, it is important for me to recognise that our existing pillars have certainly been serving us well throughout the last forty years or so, financial services, and tourism.”

'The next pillar is our people'- Premier Wheatley

However, according to Premier Wheatley, it is important to recognise that in order for the territory to continue to enjoy the over forty years of prosperity, one must begin to tap in on new streams of revenue and economic drivers.

“The next pillar is our people. The next pillar that will drive the economy of the Virgin Islands is our people,” Dr Wheatley said, adding that it is why entities like FORGE BVI is so important, as well as the event.

“Because to be able to create revenue for the government, to be able to create business opportunities, to be able to create employment opportunities for the people who inhabit these islands, we need the people of the Virgin Islands to have their potentials unleashed and unlocked”

Also present at the Builders Expo was Junior Minister for Trade and Economic Development, Honourable Shereen D. Flax-Charles (AL).

Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), centre, visits the exhibition of local contractor Rajah A. Smith, left. Right is Junior Minister for Trade and Economic Development Hon Shereen D. Flax-Charles (AL).