British Virgin Islands Opposition Leader Raises Concerns Over Economy

by Robert Lee, Tax-News.com, London

02 October 2001

Opposition leader of the National Democratic Party in the British Virgin Islands, Dr Orlando Smith, is urging the government to take steps to revive the country's economy which is already showing signs of recession in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks on America.

'The impact of these events and of the President's decision is already being felt globally,' said Dr Smith, 'We too
have begun to experience the effects locally on our trade and commerce and like America, we must immediately take stock of where we are and what is facing us as a people.'

Dr Smith called upon the government to review its policies on spending and requested that travel arrangements of government officials be addressed to revise the cost of travel to the UK which can be as much as US$10,000 per person per week.

'I strongly recommend that we go through our budget and see which projects can be put on hold until we know where this crisis is going,' he said.

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