Outraged members of the business community have filed a petition against the Government of the Virgin Islands demanding that a comprehensive reopening plan be presented immediately.
Among the detailed request, was also a direct call on Government to pay all stimulus funds to small businesses by October 9th.
The petition openly condemns the government’s effort towards the Covid-19 pandemic, calling it “poor governance”, and adding that it is unacceptable, in light of the continuing struggles of the business community.
The Petition reads;
Why sign the petition?
• We, the Business Stakeholders of the Virgin Islands, are sending a petition to the Honourable Premier and Minister of Finance and Members of the Virgin Islands House of Assembly to clearly let them know that the poor governance evidenced by a lack of decision making with a strategic vision, and in a participatory, efficient, effective, consensus-oriented, responsive and transparent manner during this health AND economic crisis, is unacceptable and we expect good governance to be the order of the day.
• We need to send the Honourable Premier and Minister of Finance and Members Virgin Islands House of Assembly a clear message to respect our role as part of the civil society and stakeholders in the governance of our territory. Businesses are the backbone of the economy providing goods, services, employment, tax revenue and community service and without our vast and varied efforts, a billion-dollar GDP would not exist! The contribution of every micro-, small-, medium-, and large-sized business adds up to us being a global economic player in the 21st century. This cannot be achieved solely by the efforts of the Government.
• The economic recession caused by the pandemic restrictions are expected to be felt globally until 2022 and it is imperative that we have a plan for a sustainable social and economic recovery. This should cover all sectors of the economy, understanding that all sectors are interdependent, and the overall economy is only as strong as its weakest link.
• After the hurricanes of 2017, the business community was basically left on their own to rise from the debris all around us and recover the economy with minimal assistance; and have exhibited great tenacity in spite of the worst storms in living memory. It is therefore is found to be disrespectful that proper consultation with business stakeholders has not been conducted from the onset of this health and economic crisis and this approach needs to be discontinued.
• We are petitioning the Honourable Premier and Minister of Finance and Members of the Virgin Islands House of Assembly as the legislators and policy makers of this territory to provide an environment that facilitates the ease of doing business which through effectiveness and efficiency translates into a manageable cost of living. We are also petitioning the Honourable Premier and Minister of Finance and to include us in the decision-making process with the recognition that the value of our input is recognised and appreciated.
• It is high time the public and private sectors take up their roles in the sustainable socioeconomic development of this territory as true partners with the same goal – prosperity and a good quality of life for all, for the present and the future generations.
THIS PETITION is presented on the 6th day of October 2020 to the Honourable Premier and Minister of Finance and the Members of the House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands by the Petitioners whose signatures appear below and by the Business Stakeholders of the Virgin Islands.
WHEREAS it is acknowledged that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a global economic recession which has affected the way of life and viability and sustainability of the economy of the Territory.
WHEREAS given the impact of the pandemic on the lives and livelihood of the people of the Territory, it has become imperative that the Government of the Virgin Islands, in consultation with the people of the Territory, develop a national comprehensive plan of recovery from the impact of COVID-19 on the economic, social and cultural facets of our Territory.
WHEREAS it is recognised that there exists a wider socio-economic impact caused by indecision and/ or decisions uninformed by the relevant business stakeholders being imposed upon the economy and irreparable damage that will be occasioned upon us all with the continued modus operandi of the Government of the Virgin Islands in this regard.
WHEREAS there is insufficient evidence that the Government of the Virgin Islands has developed such a plan or, in the alternative, has failed to communicate to the people of the Territory the parameters of such a plan, despite several requests having been made to the Government of the Virgin Islands to present its plan to the people of the Territory.
WHEREAS it is understood that our investors are frustrated and hurting and desire that the Government of the Virgin Islands takes steps to rejuvenate investor confidence by expediting and expeditiously communicating its decisions.
WHEREAS we the Business Stakeholders of the Virgin Islands are as well aggrieved with the manner in which the Government of the Virgin Islands is making its decisions and conducting the business of the people, and
WHEREAS we the Business Stakeholders of the Virgin Islands believe that in order for the economy of the Virgin Islands to be revived, stakeholders within the business sector should be afforded the opportunity to drive business decisions with the participation from Government and not the other way around.
NOW THEREFORE we the Business Stakeholders of the Virgin Islands HEREBY PRESENT this Petition to request that the Government of the Virgin Islands immediately undertake the following actions :
1. Create and maintain an open and transparent platform whereby business owners, stakeholders and the Government of the Virgin Islands can dialogue effectively and purposefully with a view to the recovery of the Territory’s economy.
2. Implement a model of industry consultation and participation similar to the FSC’s model for Financial Services, and put measures in place for the creation of a public/private partnership between the Government of the Virgin Islands and the business owners of the Virgin Islands.
3. Communicate to the people of this Territory, the Government of the Virgin Islands’ COVID-19 sustainable plan of action so as to allow the Territory to re-normalise and prosper during this pandemic and beyond;
4. Deliver to the business sector of the Territory the protocols which inform the re-opening of the Territory on or before 9th October 2020 so that businesses, especially those in the tourism sector, can have ample time to prepare for the re-opening;
5. In recognition of the need for companies to comply with our economic substance requirements prioritise the processing of trade licence applications currently awaiting processing by the Premier’s Office;
6. No later than 9th October 2020 issue and deliver to the successful small businesses of this Territory, the promised stimulus cheques, so as to alleviate the hurt and suffering which such businesses currently experience;
7. Communicate a specific interim plan immediately as to how the Government of the Virgin Islands will re-engage the affected areas of the marine sector (e.g. the yachting industry) which are currently in flight, with the recognition that there is a serious threat that this business could be lost from these shores completely;
8. Prioritise the commissioning of a 20-30-year national strategic plan for the Territory and to publicly commit that this process will commence by 1st January 2021; and
9. Acknowledge publicly the receipt of this Petition and coordinate with the Business Stakeholders of the Virgin Islands to organise a town hall meeting without delay, to listen to the issues and concerns of the business stakeholders the Territory by 16th October 2020.
AND BE IT KNOWN that we the Business Stakeholders of the Virgin Islands have the knowledge, capability, capacity and expertise to help with the recovery process and are more than willing to do so.
SO NOW we all must come together immediately to ensure our beloved and beautiful Virgin Islands recover and thrive for future generations.
Please see petition here.