Representative for the Sixth District Honourable Myron Walwyn says the government continues to neglect small and medium-sized businesses across the territory with the most recent example shown in the allocation of funds for the National Business Bureau in the 2024 Budget.
Walwyn said he was happy to hear the announcement by the Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Honourable Natalio Wheatley on his plans of reinstituting the National Business Bureau in 2024.
However, that emotion for Walwyn quickly changed after learning that only $27,000 had been allocated for the bureau.
The opposition legislator believes that at least $250,000 is needed for the business bureau if it is to operate and meet the objectives of successfully assisting businesses across the BVI.
Despite the plea, Walwyn said the government only allocated a sum of $112,000, a figure he believes is simply too low to meet the needs of the bureau.
Cross-referencing the monies allocated for government travel in the 2024 Budget which is valued at more than $2.7 million, Walwyn said it suggests that the government is not prioritizing the interest of the business community.