{"id":163920,"date":"2025-09-27T14:05:11","date_gmt":"2025-09-27T14:05:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/163920\/"},"modified":"2025-09-27T14:05:11","modified_gmt":"2025-09-27T14:05:11","slug":"premier-urges-support-for-local-businesses-at-buy-bvi-expo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/163920\/","title":{"rendered":"Premier urges support for local businesses at Buy BVI Expo"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a> <\/p>\n

in All News<\/a> \/ By: BVI News on September 22, 2025 at 7:41 AM \/ <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\n

<\/a> Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley.<\/p>\n

Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has called on residents to commit to supporting local businesses as part of efforts to strengthen the Virgin Islands economy.<\/p>\n

He delivered the message during the opening of the Buy BVI Trade Expo at the Multipurpose Sports Complex.<\/p>\n

The expo, which began in 1997 through collaboration between the BVI Chamber of Commerce and the government\u2019s Trade Promotion Department, has become a fixture in the territory\u2019s economic calendar. This year\u2019s theme highlighted youth entrepreneurship, with young business owners showcasing goods and services alongside established companies.<\/p>\n

Premier Wheatley said that although financial services and tourism have generated record revenues, many people are still struggling. \u201cPersons have said to me that the economy is having a tough time. And I ask myself, well, financial services has made record revenue. I\u2019m not sure if people know that, most it\u2019s ever brought in ever. Tourism has brought in record revenue, more than it\u2019s ever brought in ever, but people are having a tough time, so the question is why. Our two main pillars are performing very well. Why is the economy struggling?\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n

He argued that the problem lies in how money leaves the territory too quickly. \u201cNot only do we not buy BVI, we don\u2019t hire BVI. We don\u2019t invest in ourselves. So if the money is not staying, it can\u2019t circulate and it cannot multiply,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n

Encouraging residents to reflect on their own consumer habits, he said: \u201cIt\u2019s not just about blaming an external entity or even blaming the government. It\u2019s about challenging ourselves through our own choices to be able to support our own local economy and empower ourselves and empower each other. And the question is, are we ready for that? Or do we just want to sit and complain?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Premier added that supporting local products could make a meaningful difference. \u201cSo my message to you is clear and simple. The difference between taking our economy from where it is to the next level is each one of us and the choices we are willing to make. So when you make a choice, choose BVI, Buy BVI, Promote BVI, Support BVI and empower BVI, and you will discover that things become even better for us,\u201d he urged.<\/p>\n

The government has expanded support for micro, small and medium enterprises through grants for equipment, marketing, training and technology. Officials have also pledged to improve consumer protection, streamline trade licensing, and create more opportunities for Virgin Islanders to start and grow businesses. The Buy BVI Expo continues to be a key platform for entrepreneurs to showcase their work and attract customers from across the territory.<\/p>\n

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