The Government of the Virgin Islands received 50 generators to help facilitate the resumption of business operations.

The generators were donated to Department of Trade, Investment Promotion and Consumer Affairs by the Bank of Asia (BVI) Limitedto aid businessesthat were left without electricity post hurricanes Irma and Maria.

Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE said that the he knows that business persons are eager to commence operations and he is thankful that the Bank of Asia has made this gesture to benefit the business community. Premier added, “I am very grateful to Mr. Carson Wen, owner of Bank of Asia and a friend of many years, who immediately upon hearing of the devastation, offered to help the BVI in any way.”

The Premier added, “It is the vision of my Government that a substantial amount of the Territory’s businesses will be functional by December 2017.  Our local businesses are vital to help stimulate economic growth by providing employment opportunities and good and services for residents.”

President of Bank of Asia (BVI) Limited, Ms. Joyce Murraine said, "Corporate Social Responsibility is an integral part of who we are at Bank of Asia. The BVI community consists of a resilient group of people, and by working together we plan to make a difference in helping them to rebuild an even stronger BVI."

The generators donated are F.G Wilson 13.5 KGA.Interested business ownersare encouraged to apply for these generators at the Department of Trade, Investment Promotion and Consumer Affairs at the Sebastian’sBuilding on Wickham’s Cay I.

Recipients will be chosen based on location, timeline of electricity restoration in their areaand the soundness of their building’s structure and electrical wiring. Site inspections must be done for each business to ensure that their structures are soundenough for the generators before the business owners receive them.

The generators arrived into the Territory on November 5 and should all be disseminated by mid-December.

For more information about the eligibility of your businessto receive a generator,contact the Department of Trade, Investment Promotion and Consumer Affairs via telephone at (284) 468- 9553 or 468- 9554.

The Government of the Virgin Islands is committed to the restoration and rebuilding of the BVI as an ideal place to live, work, visit and do business.

Photo Captions:

Photo 1: One of the13KVA FG Wilson generators donated for use by businesses affected by the hurricanes. (Ronnielle Frazer/GIS)

Photo 2: Pictured are Deon Vanterpool, Senior Manager Bank of Asia (BVI) Limited; Lynette Smith, Bank of Asia(BVI) Limited; Premier, Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE; Junior Minister for Trade, Honourable Marlon Penn; and Layla and Courtney Jones of Tortola Carpet. (Ronnielle Frazer/GIS)

Photo 3: Pictured are Premier Smith, Deon Vanterpool and Lynette Smith of Bank of Asia. (Ronnielle Frazer/GIS)