Residents on Anegada will be sharpening their skills in developing business plans and draft applications for the future use of commercial land at a workshop in November.

The need for the workshop was identified by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour in collaboration with the Hamilton Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC), Unite BVI and the Anegada Advisory Lands Committee (AALC). The exercise is expected to contribute to the ongoing implementation of the Commission of Inquiry Recommendation B30 that speaks to the wholesale review of processes for the disposal of Crown Land to ensure that such disposals are the subject of an open and transparent process. 

Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Honourable Melvin Turnbull stated he was grateful to be a part of the collaboration with the stakeholders adding that workshops of this nature can be of benefit to other communities. “Something that is important about the relationship is the decision to take a calculated risk, a lot of businesses lack business plans so this workshop will be able to assist them in managing the business that they are getting into, as well as ensure that the businesses are operating as best as they possibly can. I think this is a tool that can continue throughout the community so while we start with Anegada, it is probably something that can be developed to benefit the entire BVI community.”

 President of the HLSCC Dr. Richard Georges expressed thanks to the Manager for the Centre for Professional Development Mrs. Veronique Forbes-King for organising and designing the session stating that she has recruited the faculty, developed the proposal and the budget for the upcoming exercise.”

Executive Director of Unite BVI Dr. Sauda Smith said her organisation was pleased to collaborate in the upcoming event.

Dr. Smith said, “When Mr. Ruan wrote to the ministry and HLSCC, Unite BVI was asked if there was a way that we could assist, and my colleagues said that this idea hit the sweet spot by mixing entrepreneurship and education. I would like to thank Kim Takeuchi for her vision of how this fit into our vision and purpose and I am happy to work with our partners here to ensure that the Anegada people have the resources that they need to run their businesses with the skillsets that they need to move forward.”

Chairperson of the Anegada Lands Advisory Committee Mr. Darrell Ruan Jr. said the need for residents to learn about creating business plans came to light while the AALC was conducting their application submission initiative.

Mr. Ruan Jr said, “We realised that many of the residents didn’t have business plans and they did not know how to prepare business plans, so what did was came back to the ministry and put our heads together to come up with the workshop where we can fill that gap that was in the application process. I am pleased and happy to see the outcome of this workshop for my people. 

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour continues to effectively manage and administer the natural resources of the Territory in a manner that ensures long-term sustainability.