The Government of the British Virgin Islands has moved to clarify certain inaccurate reports and misconceptions that have been circulating in the local and international media with respect to its use of the US Dollar as the Territory’s official currency.

We held a Business Solutions Forum that brought business stakeholders from various sectors of the economy and key Government agencies together in the same room to find solutions and resolutions. We were setting the stage for today and the future—to create a new Golden Age for the BVI hinged on greening the BVI agenda.

I move that the Bill shortly entitled the Appropriation Act, 2020 be read a second time as I invite this Honourable House to extend its customary indulgence as I deliver the Territory’s 2020 Budget Address.

Director of Projects in the Ministry of Finance, Dr. Drexel Glasgow presented a Case Study on the delivery of the Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) when he represented the Territory at the Inter-American Network on Government (INGP) Procurement annual conference.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to update this Honourable House on my trip to the United Kingdom from 11^th to 13^th September 2019 where I led the delegation to discuss the conditions of the United Kingdom Loan Guarantee and other matters.

Mr. Speaker, I will now speak on the Oracle JD Edwards (JDE) software.

Mr. Speaker, I am in a good place this morning because finally the Members of the opposition agree that questions and answering the questions asked is critically important in strengthening our democracy, transparency and accountability, especially if we are on our way to becoming self-reliant. I commend them for these questions.

Mr. Speaker, my Government continues to put the necessary structures in place to restore hope and prosperity for all of the people of the Virgin Islands.

My people of the Virgin Islands Good day and God’s blessings to you.  You would recall that approximately two weeks ago I led a delegation to London to discuss with the United Kingdom Government, its offer of a Loan Guarantee for Recovery and Development projects in response to the damage arising from Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017.  Please note that the discussions were not about a loan, but rather about the conditions around the loan guarantee.

The following is an excerpt from the statement given by Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie during the Press Conference on the Report to the People On the Official Visit to the UK.