Thank you Madame Speaker for giving me the opportunity to make a brief statement on ongoing works to refurbish a number of recreational facilities in the Territory. As a Ministry Madame Speaker we recognize the importance of having the right social environment for the youth of the Territory. 

Madame Speaker, I am pleased to introduce to this Honourable House the Ministry of Education and Culture’s (MEC) Apprenticeship Programme - another initiative to help our young people find employment. As you are aware the Ministry of Education and Culture has made the employment of youth a top priority since 2012 when the Youth Employment Services (YES) was established.

Madam Speaker, during the last sitting of this Honourable House, I provided a comprehensive update, on the Government’s plans, to improve the quality of the road network throughout the Territory.

It is quite evident and I am pleased to report, Madam Speaker, that, significant progress has been made since then, as we continue to design and execute works, on Tortola, Anegada, Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke.

Madam Speaker, the physical landscape of Wickham’s Cay 1, is being transformed in a very significant way right before our very eyes, with the construction of the expanded Cruise Ship Pier and Landside Development.

By the end of this year, 2015, Madam Speaker, every Virgin Islander and visitor to these islands, will be extremely proud, of what the Government has been able to accomplish with this project.

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to report to this Honourable House today, that significant progress is being made to improve the stability of the Territory’s electricity supply.

The Government recently signed an agreement to undertake Phase V of the BVI Electricity Corporation’s Power Development Plan.

Madam Speaker,

With your kind permission, I wish to make a statement on a study which my Government undertook in relation to our financial services sector. 

Much of what I say here is largely outlined in the foreword of the report entitled “Building on a Thriving and Sustainable Financial Services Sector”.

One simple lesson from history is that when people come together to talk, to exchange ideas and to develop common goals, wonderful things can happen.  So many of the world's greatest technological and industrial achievements have begun as partnerships between families, countries, and even continents.  But, as we are often reminded, the opposite can also be true.  When common goals fall apart, so does the exchange of ideas.  And if people no longer trust or understand each other, the talking will soon stop too.

REMARKS – 2015 EDUCATION WEEK OPENING CEREMONY
MINISTER OF EDUCATION & CULTURE, MYRON V. WALWYN
Sunday, March 08, 2015 – Central Admin Complex, Road Town, Tortola

I am honoured to pay tribute this morning on behalf of the Government and the people of the Virgin Islands in remembering the life and legacy of Honourable H. Lavity Stoutt, the first Chief Minister and a visionary leader who left an undeniable mark in history book of this Territory. I am honoured to pay tribute this morning on behalf of the Government and the people of the Virgin Islands in remembering the life and legacy of Honourable H. Lavity Stoutt, the first Chief Minister and a visionary leader who left an undeniable mark in history book of this Territory. 

Excellencies, Heads of Government, Honourable Ministers, Heads of Delegations, Distinguished Delegates, ladies and gentleman, Good evening.

As Chairman of the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTA), and on behalf of the Government and people of the British Virgin Islands, I extend a warm welcome to all participants and delegates to the British Virgin Islands.