An outreach initiative is under way across the territory to build links between public agencies, businesses and the community, government said.
Four public gatherings are set to be held in September after earlier sessions proved a success, according to the Department of Trade, Investment Promotion and Consumer Affairs.
Lincoln Bobb, deputy director at the department, said the meetings are intended to “ignite the Virgin Islands’ economic future.”
“The outreach programme is a key component of the department’s efforts to increase public awareness, foster stronger community relationships and ensure that the business community is well-informed and actively involved in shaping the territory’s economic future,” he added.
Topics covered
The meetings focus on topics including the trade-licensing process, strategic collaborations with educational establishments, grant programmes for small and medium-sized businesses, planned school outreach initiatives promoting entrepreneurship, the Innovation Business Lab and the Entrepreneurial Zone.
The inaugural gathering was held in the Fifth District earlier this month.
“The community meeting provided a comprehensive overview of the department’s strategic initiatives and ongoing projects designed to foster economic development and empower local businesses,” according to a department press release.
“Attendees engaged directly with the department’s representatives and gained valuable insights into its development agenda.”
Other meetings followed over the past eight days in the First, Second and Ninth districts, including on Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke.
Open invitation
Government invited entrepreneurs, business stakeholders and other residents to take part in the coming sessions and “participate in this ongoing dialogue to help shape a prosperous future for the Virgin Islands.”
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday for the Eighth District at Willard Wheatley Primary School in East End. It will be followed by three others: on Sept. 4 for the Third District at Sea Cows Bay Community Centre; on Sept. 9 for the Sixth District at Purcell Estate Community Centre; and on Sept. 10 for the Fourth District at the Elmore Stoutt High School. All sessions start at 5:30 p.m.
For more information contact the department at 468-2008 or bvitrade@gov.vg.
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