The selection of the winners of the 2015 Business of the Year, Most Innovative Business of the Year and the People’s Choice Award will take place later this month.

Ten local businesses are vying for the titles as the Department of Trade, Investment Promotion and Consumer Affairs continues to fuel the entrepreneurial spirit.

Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE had announced in 2014, that as an incentive for more innovative local business ventures he would give an award for the Most Innovative Business each year.

Premier Smith stated at the time, “We are encouraging people to be innovative, and by giving an award for the Most Innovative Business, I hope to be able to stimulate people to come up with new ideas so we can develop new businesses in the community which can only be of benefit to the BVI.”

He said one of the things needed in the BVI is to expand on the types of businesses in the community, and it is not good enough to have everyone doing the same thing.

The Business of the Year contenders have been applauded for their outstanding customer service, provision of unique products and diligent community involvement, and are all winners of the department’s Business of the Month campaign that was held during 2015. They are F & M Halal Outlet, Akiya Brewley Designs, Greencrete BVI, P3 Paper Plastics and Products, The Rock Café and Sam’s Piano Bar, Mi Amor Jewellers, Trefle Designs Inc., Pearls VI, Sole Day Spa and Bella Blooms.

Director of Trade, Investment Promotion and Consumer Affairs, Mrs. Karia Christopher has issued a special invitation to the public to join the department at the event to be held on Monday, February 29, at 6:00 p.m. at the Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium, H. Lavity Stoutt Community College in Paraquita Bay on Tortola.  

She explained that the Business of the Year winner will be awarded the exclusive Business of the Year title and trophy; a $7,500.00 cash injection into their business; one month of placement on a public bill board; and one month of advertisements on all popular local media outlets.

The winner of the Most Innovative Business for 2015 will receive the Most Innovative Business for 2015 title and trophy; and a $1,500.00 cash injection into their business. The winner of the People’s Choice Award will be decided by the audience on the evening of the event, and is based solely on opinion.

Contestants will be judged in four categories, namely Relative Growth, Territorial Impact, Product Quality and Achievable Potential. They must also be a business of good standing with the Social Security and Inland Revenue departments and practice corporate social responsibility by giving back to the community.

The Department of Trade, Investment Promotion and Consumer Affairs is responsible for facilitating the development and growth of the BVI business environment, by helping businesses to realise their full potential. This is done through the establishment and management of programmes and networks that provide information, education, training, finance and other assistance in order to foster sustained economic development in the BVI.