Premier encourages residents to 'buy BVI'
On Friday, September 18, 2025, Hon Wheatley addressed the opening ceremony of the BVI Chamber of Commerce, Buy BVI Trade Expo '25, which took place at the Multi-purpose Sports Complex, under the th...
On Friday, September 18, 2025, Hon Wheatley addressed the opening ceremony of the BVI Chamber of Commerce, Buy BVI Trade Expo '25, which took place at the Multi-purpose Sports Complex, under the theme 'Celebrating the Virgin Islands' Entrepreneurial Spirit’'. The two-day event features more than 30 businesses from banks and government departments to youth entrepreneurs and small local producers. "Persons have said to me that the economy is having a tough time.
And I ask myself, well, financial services has made record revenue. I’m not sure if people know that, most it's ever brought in ever. Tourism has brought in record revenue, more than it's 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 the economy is struggling. ’’ We don't buy or hire local Hon.
Wheatley opined that the Virgin Islands' economy is struggling because, as soon as the money comes in, it is sent out nearly as quickly as it arrives. "Not only do we not buy BVI, we don’t hire BVI. So if the money is not staying, it can't circulate and it cannot multiply." The premier added that the economy is expected to perform better, given the performance of the territory’s two key economic pillars: financial services and tourism.
He told Virgin Islanders that there is power in their own choices. "It's not just about blaming an external entity or even blaming the government. It's about challenging ourselves to 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?’’ The Premier explained further, stating, "So 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." This online news site is the sole property of and is operated by Advance Marketing and Professional Services dba Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) in the Virgin Islands.
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