The
Development Planning Unit
Government of the British Virgin Islands

NIDS DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY OBJECTIVES

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY OBJECTIVES

Introduction:

Given our strong orientation to export of financial and tourism services, the internal dynamic of our population and the aspirations of our people in this era of globalisation, development of the British Virgin Islands on a balanced and sustainable basis is the major challenge facing us in the new millennium. Integrated development is the overall approach which has been chosen to realize our national goals of improved standards of living and an improved quality of life.

The concept of Integrated Development is based on a vision of the territory. The vision of the territory is to create society that is globally competitive and socially cohesive and able to satisfy the basic needs of all the people by upholding the principles of equity, human rights and good governance, by managing in a sustained and integrated way the natural and human resources of the territory, by generating self-confidence among the people and by maintaining the unique cultural identity of the territory.

This vision must be accomplished within the context of a number of guiding principles. Among these is the realization that BVI must strive to be a nation of high performers, productive, competitive, skilled, adaptable, resilient and caring. To achieve this the residents of the BVI must be healthy and well educated. They must live in a safe and socially stable environment established on the basis of equally of and equal access to opportunities, tolerance and mutual respect for ethnic and cultural diversity while maintaining the unique BVI cultural identity. It must be a community in which the vulnerable groups are treated in a humane and caring manner and the protection of the pristine quality of the physical environment is a collective responsibility.

In fulfillment of its mission and in pursuit of this vision the government has embarked upon the preparation of the National Integrated Development Strategy (NIDS) that will chart the policy programme of the territory for next 10 years. As already indicated NIDS will build on new and existing policies and strategies as it attempts to satisfy the development objectives indicated below. NIDS will continue to give serious attention to strategies for generating sustainable and rapid economic growth as well as for ensuring that the benefits of such growth are shared equitably. In addition, it will address the critical need to balance such growth with the protection of the environment and properly planned physical development. The Strategy will acknowledge the existing social problems and the emergence of new social problems associated with rapid economic expansion and population growth.

The NIDS consultative process and the subsequent analysis have identified eleven development strategy objectives/goals which represent guidelines for the strategic vision as well as for the mission statement or purpose of the Government of the British Virgin Islands.

This document, explains in details all eleven development strategy objectives, which have been identified by NIDS consultative process.


1. To Reduce Vulnerability

From the consultative process of the National Integrated development Strategy, we concluded that vulnerability was the single most restricting issue to our national development. Reduction of vulnerability was the most pressing issue across all sectors of our community; hence, it became the most critical strategic objective on the national agenda from the short term.


We understand that vulnerability in our context has physical, social, economic and political dimensions. In this connection, vulnerability is a subject of complex proportion, which must be approached in an integrated way. Our overall vulnerability is unlikely to be reduced unless we resolve the physical, economic, social and political issue simultaneously. The issues in the various components of vulnerability are interdependent and solving them require a multitude of inter-related and integrated measures. While, for example components in the physical realm might require more expensive activities, economic vulnerability reduction require more policy decisions with virtually the same consequences.

1.1. Reducing Physical Vulnerability

Our NIDS consultative process and the subsequent analysis reveal that physical vulnerability include our proneness to natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, oil spills, flooding, landslides and other man-made disasters impacting on our physical environment. However, in view of one of our major economic activities, it is clear that activities or events that can degrade our natural environment is quite capable of adding or contributing to our level of economic vulnerability. Further, as another example, international financial services being our other main economic activity, is very much dependent upon our political status as a colony of the United Kingdom and local political activities in support of this economic sub-sector. Further yet, as a more complicated and complex example, the chronic shortage of labour and the resultant need for immigrant labour present a major challenge to assimilation of the various national communities in and upon the cultural norms of the British Virgin Islands. It is obvious that imported labour with its dependents have a significant impact on our social systems such as education, health and welfare.


From the immediately above paragraph, it seems obvious that all four components of vulnerability are highly dependent and integrated meaning that we cannot solve all problems by solving them individually in a sequential manner. The strategic approach must be simultaneous rather than sequential.

The focus of our strategy to reduce physical vulnerability is centred around helping communities to deal with disasters, improving disasters preparedness, mitigation and recovery systems, enhancing environmental management, establishing construction and financing mechanisms to replace damaged infrastructure during disasters and reducing the levels / impact of external shocks from the global markets. Broadly, these activities are designed to improve our chances in disasters and emergencies and to lessen the shocks from the external markets shocks.

To improve our chances in disasters, catastrophes and global markets shocks, we propose to improve our emergency services and enhance our disaster management capacity. Placing our utility lines away from exposure to hurricanes and building our structures stronger and smarter will assist the establishment of the counseling skills to upgrade our capacity to cope with situations of distress and catastrophes.

1.2. Reducing Economic Vulnerability

For a developing country such as the British Virgin Islands to meet its development agenda objectives, building a strong and diversified economy must be an overarching goal if economic vulnerability is to be reduced. Building a strong and diversified economy begins with strengthening the existing pillars and seeking key sectors for diversification. In this connection enhancing, expanding and diversifying the tourism product, enhancing the financial services product and further development of agriculture and fisheries are the core strategies.

To ensure smooth and sustained economic growth and involvement of BVIslanders in the key areas of production, our development strategy must be facilitating and encouraging to BVIslanders. To this end, our strategy must promote Small and Medium Enterprises (SME’s) development, create opportunity and promote enterprise while encouraging BVIslanders to adopt new opportunities. 

But the defined involvement of the government, the transfer of technology and production intercourse with the outside world must be key components in our development strategy if our economy is to be strong and diversified. A strong and viable public sector, a big move into electronic commerce and the increased application of science and technology to the production process must also be central to the reducing of economic vulnerability. Finally to cement the components of strategy to build a strong diversified and sustainable economy, the flow of timely, accurate and reliable macroeconomic information for decision support in both the private and public sectors must be dramatically improved.

1.3. Reducing Social Vulnerability

As the BVI expands and become a more culturally diversified society, the occurrence and management of social phenomena becomes more critical. Overall we must broaden and deepen the range of social services cognizant of the economic cost to society and the general propensity to weaken market structures.

Two absolutely essential components of our strategy to reduce social vulnerability are the improvement of the social safety net mechanism and enhancement of education opportunities. Immigration is a huge factor in the social fabric of the BVI together with the changing culture it brings. In this connection, enhancement of the population policies and management along with increased support for the various forms of family are critical components in our strategy.

Women and children are essential but vulnerable groups in our population. To ensure reduction of social vulnerability, we must have the improvement of the health as a top priority. But health is improved also by active participation in sports and exercise regimes. A major component of our social strategy to reduce vulnerability will be to boost sports, recreation and entertainment while expanding facilities and promoting activities for the youth.

BVIslanders have a strong and enduring desire to live in safe and well-serviced communities. In addition to focusing on the improvement of community amenities, a significant component of strategy to reduce social vulnerability is the strengthening of crime prevention and justice systems. 

1.4. Reducing Political Vulnerability

The present political status of the BVI is perceived to contribute to the level of confidence, which the international client places in the sustainability of our financial services. The country’s record of good governance is also a most critical factor in the individual security of tourists who visit our country. North America and European visitors feel more secure in a democracy.

The essence of our strategy to reduce political vulnerability include the increase in public participation in the consultative process for public decision making and constantly keeping the costs and benefits of our relationship with the United Kingdom under review. We will also reduce our vulnerability by strengthening our relationship with international and regional organizations. These relationships are essential for connectiveness with the rest of the world and assist in enhancing global competitiveness.

The overall strategy to reduce vulnerability in physical, economic, social and political area is integrated and must be addressed simultaneously rather than sequentially. 


2. Ensuring Balanced Development

To ensure balanced development the NIDS consultative committee has concluded that we need an integrated approach to the three major components, i.e. to enhance access to infrastructural services, better access to human resources development services and improving access to government services. These three components must be addressed simultaneously rather than sequentially.

No doubt, in our society we need balanced development between our islands and between our large population centers. This means that our national resources should be distributed evenly among our communities. For example if we take Tortola, being the largest island in the territory and having a greater proportion of economic, social and administrative activities than other islands. In Tortola there is a greater concentration and better quality of physical infrastructure and social services compared to other islands like Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke and Anegada. Even within Tortola disparities exist between the facilities in the capital Road Town and other centers on the island. These disparities are neither overt nor deliberate, but a consequence of the pattern of largely unplanned and uncoordinated development that was pursued in the past. Past development and planning efforts have tended to result in an unintended imbalance in the overall development of communities in the territory. This trend has affected the quantity and quality of services available, as well as denying equitable access to services and opportunities by residents of certain communities.

2.1. Enhancing Access to Infrastructural Services

The NIDS consultative process has recommended this type development to change and restore balanced development among our people in the territory. An important element in restoring balanced development is to enhance access to infrastructural services in all islands and main centers in the territory. Adequate infrastructure services helps to determine the pace of development. The archipelagic nature of the BVI and its dependence on the export oriented activities of tourism and off shore financial services impose requirements for support of physical and social infrastructures in order to maintain and enhance development and competitiveness. In this regard extending and improving the road network, improving air services / facilities, modernizing seaport facilities, improving telecommunications, upgrading reliable power supply, better postal services, and improving water supply / drainage are important elements in ensuring balanced development and competitiveness in the territory. 

To ensure the implementation of the above, our strategy should aim at improving the quality and efficiency of physical and social infrastructures in all areas by ensuring that both financial and human resources are allocated. Measures should be put in place to ensure that efficient management and proper maintenance of these facilities.


2.2. Better Access to Human Resources Development Services

As for better access to human resources development to bring a balanced development in our territory, it has been observed that improved education, health; sports and welfare services and facilities are important components in developing human resource in our islands. 

Our education system and facilities need to be improved in all islands in the territory. Our people’s ability to create and produce will depend on our education system. The education system remains critical to human resources development thrust. In this case several strategies / measures should be taken to reform and modernise our education system in a balanced manner. Our focus and efforts should be directed towards proper planning, broadened access through increased capacity and curriculum reform. The expansion of primary, secondary schools and tertiary education should be accompanied by improvement in teachers training plus improvement in the maintenance of education facilities in territory.

Like education, health services are the second factor in human resources development in the BVI. All islands and large population centers need a balanced distribution of health services and facilities, which means that our strategies and goals are to ensure the availability of a comprehensive and accessible health care services for all residents of the BVI. In this regard, the core primary and secondary health services and facilities should be distributed evenly among the islands. Our vision of health care should be based on the primary health care approach that ephasises preventive health and encourages individuals to be responsible for maintaining their own good health. 

To achieve the above objectives we should formulate health polices which will form part of the sector detailed plan that will be developed in consultation with major stakeholders. As a matter of priority the proposed plan should address the updating of health related legislation, particularly in respect of standards and self-regulation in a balanced manner. In pursuing the policy for health promotion in all islands, we should continue to utilize a combination of approaches involving the medical, behavioral and socioeconomic approaches, with health education playing an important support role. As far as the area of community health services is concerned, emphasis should be placed on the care of the elderly, mentally and physically challenged, dental health promotion and care, environmental health, sexually transmitted diseases and accident prevention. This implies an upgrading of most programmes on the entire sister islands.

As part of better access to human resources development services we should upgrade and establish sporting facilities and programmes. These facilities and programmes should distributed more evenly among all centers to ensure proper balanced development. Promotion of these facilities and programmes should be accompanied with financial and human resources to allow them to discharge more effectively its mandate to manage and maintain sports facilities. Right now promotion of sports should be encouraged in schools and communities. In order to ensure this is implemented effectively, the establishment of National Sports Council is essential. This council will later assist in development of National Policy on Sports.

2.3. Upgrading Social Welfare Services

While ensuring balanced development, it is important to extend and upgrade welfare services and facilities in the sister islands. We should be able extend social welfare programmes to all vulnerable groups. The extension should be preceded by a survey of these groups to determine their size and the extent of their needs. This process will help to reduce alienation and address the concerns of the vulnerable groups and youth as well as facilitating greater community participation in the process of development. Programmes should be developed to deal with poverty eradication; stress related problems of a more affluent society, such as childcare, gender support and rehabilitation. 

The NIDS consultative process has also revealed that ensuring balanced development in the territory should be accompanied by improving access to government services. This has to do with Governance. The overriding objective of governance should focus on strengthening the capacities of the government to manage the development process effectively and create an environment that promotes individual creativity and collective responsibility in the civil society. Improving access to government by the people will include people’s participation in planning and implementation of their programmes, which affect their basic needs. Also it is important to strengthen the rule of law and the judicial system in our society so as to enhance efficiency, independence and credibility of the justice system. We should be able to protect our people and their properties, which means we will have to enhance security services in our country by providing more police and other personnel related to security in all our sister islands. 


3. To Enhance Human Capital

The NIDS consultative process concluded that human resources development is a major factor in any integrated development effort. This means that our future planning focus should be directed towards promotion and enhancement of human capital and reducing the level of labour importation. Our service economy depends on a good supply of highly trained people with the right attitude to be sustainable. Our Institutions, especially financial services and tourism institutions, need highly trained human resources to bring to global economic competitiveness in this century. Therefore we must enhance the development of human capital / resources as one of our main development strategies. 

We need to examine the issues related to the shortage of labour and the consequential importation of labour. Human resources development strategy includes education, health, social development, economic, labour and immigration strategies. Our human resources development strategy suffers from the lack of integration of these areas. As our economy demands labour, which cannot be supplied on the domestic market, labour, immigration, education, health and social welfare policies must accommodate such needs.

In general, the NIDS consultative process has pointed out three important strategies, which will enhance human capital development. First, assisting BVIslanders to acquire skills, second helping our people live longer and healthier lives and last but not least promotion of sports, recreation and entertainment.


3.1. Assisting BVIslanders to Acquire Skills

We can assist BVIslanders to acquire required skills by giving priority to improving our education system, emphasizing greater access and relevance through the provision of education and training facilities focused on fields of study that are relevant to the development of our country. Access and relevance should be supported by the availability of financial resources and necessary time to upgrade their skills.

We should develop appropriate curricula and assessment through the provision of curricula teaching methods appropriate to the needs of the individual and the territory. For example, particular emphasis should be placed on increasing the number of science and technology graduates to address skill imbalances in the labour market and we should develop a greater national capacity in these fields. More emphasis should be on science and mathematics at all school levels i.e. primary and high schools. Also there should be closer ties between formal education and on the job training. 

We should give employers incentives to invest in the training of their own enterprises. We must establish a vocational training facility to equip young persons, particularly those that are inclined towards the non-academic and introduce programmes for continuing education. The emphases should focus on expansion and diversification of H.L.Stoutt Community College to offer more professional programmes.

It is important that we formulate quality assurance through the development of the capacity to plan, implement and evaluate educational programmes. This will ensure that graduates have skills knowledge and attitudes that are suitable for a labour force relevant to our country to meet the social, economic, technological and political challenges of the new century. Our curricula must be developed in accordance with needs of our workforce given the nature of the international industries in which we are engaged. The Information Society in which we lives requires each worker to be equipped with information technology skills.

To assist the BVIslander to acquire new skills require the provision of financial resource, especially at the tertiary level for both local and overseas scholarships. There must be a variety or combination of loans and grants to meet the growing needs of our population.

3.2. Helping People to Live Longer and Healthier Lives

Helping our people to live longer, health lives promotes the enhancement of human capital. In many countries including our country research carried out over the years indicates that the lifestyles of the populations, such as sedentary living, unhealthy eating habits associated with fast food, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, stress, and other ill effects of affluence contribute significantly to the increased incidences of non-communicable diseases. No doubt this will affect negatively the productivity of our population involved in production and eventually will reduce the effectiveness of our human capital and eventually or international competitiveness.

Therefore if we want to maintain healthier lives of our people, our policies and strategies should aim at ensuring the availability of a comprehensive and accessible health care service for all residents of the BVI. Our vision for health care should be based on primary and secondary care approaches that emphasize preventative health and encourages individuals to be responsible for maintaining their own good health. We should improve our health delivery systems; we should ensure that health programmes place emphasis on health care and better targeting of the poor and vulnerable. The strategy for dealing with improved health care delivery systems must include the placement of physical facilities to effect balance distribution of access to health care. Also emphasis should be placed on health and family life education both in and out of schools. Government should work in partnership with NGO’s and the private sector to provide community-based health services. In this case we need to improve efficiency of resource allocation through increased attention to planning and developing mechanisms to ensure that essential drugs and other medical facilities / equipment are made available to all.

We all know that quality health care is expensive and it will be difficult for government to continue to be the financier of health system on the present level. To mitigate the impact of public sector health expenditure on the annul budget and to cushion the impact of health expenditure on individuals, Government shall complete the investigation of the feasibility of a national Health Insurance Scheme, with the intention of phased and early implementation of the scheme. Government will also review the public sector fee structure to endeavor to recover more fully the cost involved in providing health care for those who can afford to pay.

3.3. Boosting Sports, Recreation and Entertainment

Another element to be integrated in the process of enhancing human capital development is boosting sports, recreation and entertainment in our country. Provision and expansion of sports, recreation and entertainment facilities will boost the morale of our people, and will improve community relations and will increase renewal of mind, body and spirit through pursuits, which bring personal enjoyment, which will increase productivity in our production process. We need establish a legal framework that will safeguard music intellectual property rights of our musicians. 

To improve the management of sport, recreation and entertainment, we need to review the Recreation Trust, a statutory body established since 1965 to purchase or lease lands for public recreational facilities, administer, maintain and encourage their use. All in all, the scope of the Recreation trust should be expanded and empowered to allow it to play a large role in the promotion of recreation and sports in the territory. We should provide it with the financial and human resources to allow it to discharge more effectively its mandate to manage and maintain sports facilities. Its role should be extended to the promotion of sports particularly competitive sports, especially in schools, workplace communities and we should encourage and promote the wider participation of women in sports. Our focus should be directed towards sustained programmes for coaches, trainers, managers and athletes / players. 

We need also to look for the possibilities to establish National Sports Council that will be a confederation of all the national sporting organizations. This Council will later assist in the development of a national sports policy for sports. There is the need to involve NGO’s and the private sector via a sports council to handle the development of sports. On entertainment aspect, we should focus on upgrading the commercial aspects of entertainment and strengthen the legal framework so that our people can benefit from this enterprise.

Apart from boosting sports and recreation, we should strengthen the management of our national parks and upgrade national parks physical facilities. We should realise that parks are part of our recreation infrastructure enjoyed by our people and visitors alike. The National Parks Trust has managed the park system in a fairly efficient manner but we need improvement in its operation. There are some areas, which have been declared parks such as the Baths are overutilized and not adequately monitored. Therefore we need to develop more plans and management programmes for all areas under the jurisdiction of National Parks Trust. At present the Trust is facing some constrains related to lack of adequate financial and resources, and inappropriate legislative / enforcement staff. In this connection our strategic objectives should aim at solving these constrains, i.e. improving management capacity, providing enough funding and up dating and strengthening of existing legislation. 

Therefore in order to enhance our human capital development our future development needs and planning efforts should be directed towards promotion of three strategies mentioned. This is because our country’s economy will continue to depend on steady and good supply of highly trained talented people with right attitude so as to achieve global economic competitiveness in this century. 

4. Ensure Environmental Sustainability

The research analysis and consultative process of the National Integrated Development Strategy have concluded that the ENVIRONMENT is a major asset as well as a constraint for future sustainable development of this country. The research also shows that we face a number of problems, including limited physical space, population pressure on our land and marine environment. 

Our country faces increasing competition for the use of natural resources and there are consequent problems of conservation of biodiversity, fresh water resources and watershed areas as well as coastal and marine resources. This is a significant problem because tourism, a critical element of the country’s comparative advantage, depends heavily on the natural environment and the adequate management of the fragile ecosystem. Another problem is associated with inadequate physical infrastructure, in particular poor drainage and insufficient solid waste and sewage disposal facilities, which also challenge environment. In general our natural resource base is fragile because of nature of the islands. 

To ensure environmental sustainability the NIDS consultative process recognises that it is necessary to initiate development planning that treats economic, social, spatial and environmental elements in an integrated manner. In recognition of the significance of the environment, we should focus on solving the present environmental problems facing our country. These problems include, solid waste and sewage disposal facilities, in appropriate carrying capacity, degradation of water-sheds and marine ecosystems, destruction of biodiversity, unplanned settlements, etc. To address these problems and ensure environmental sustainability our approach and future strategy should include the following main components; First, helping the BVIslanders to deal with disasters and emergencies; Second, promotion of sustainable development and lastly but not least is building a strong marine sector.

4.1. Helping BVIslanders to Deal with Disasters and Emergencies

How can we help the BVIslanders to deal with disasters? We should increase awareness and knowledge of disasters, disaster preparedness and mitigation among our politicians, administrators, planners, community leaders and all ordinary people. We should improve our Emergency Services Response System and create the linkages between the Office of Disaster Preparedness and other related departments of Fire and Rescue Services, VISAR, Medical Services, Police, Town and Country Planning Department, Fisheries and Conservation Department and Development Planning Unit. We should demonstrate ways to reduce disaster risks through better decision making and planning. We should encourage disaster mitigation planning at all levels of public administration, based on risk assessment and analysis of vulnerability. This will only be possible if there is a clear awareness by our planners of the benefits of including disaster mitigation measures in national development plans, land use planning proposals and in project appraisals especially in hazard prone areas. 

The recently introduced project for an Integrated Emergency Communication System, which aims at integrating the Fire, Police and Medical Services into one communication system, for the purpose of reducing their response time for emergencies is the right decision, which came at the right time. We need to have a disaster recovery plan, which will allow the return to normal social and economic activities as quickly as possible. At the same time taking additional action which may mitigate against future occurrences, and noting opportunities which may arise to make both qualitative and quantitative improvements to the effected areas. 


4.2. Promoting Sustainable Development

We can also ensure environmental sustainability by promoting sustainable development assisting our communities to meet their long-term environmental, economic and social needs in an integrated way. This calls for the development of a comprehensive national environmental management strategy. Our strategy in this regard should be an integral part of the overall national development strategy. In other words our development planning strategy should treat economic, social, spatial and environmental elements in an integrated manner. This means all facets of development will be addressed simultaneously rather than sequentially. This should ensure environmental sustainability and equally important contain the vulnerability of the territory and enhance our economic potential as a major tourist destination. The major elements of our environmental strategy should comprise of institutional reforms and improvement, rationalization and strengthening of the legal and regulatory frameworks, development of appropriate policies and improving environmental awareness. 


In pursuit of sustainable development, we should conduct environmental impact assessment as a part of regular project evaluation to determine their impact on the environment or the use of natural resources. 

We should always encourage harmonious development that will minimise impacts on land and marine environs by maintaining an acceptable level of land use functions, initiating urban renewal plans and assess carrying capacity. We should improve supervision of development sites and increase awareness of best practices. Our development programmes should ensure harnessing the environment to expand domestic food production through careful application of science and technology. Also we should increase budgetary allocation to key environmental agencies including government departments, non-government agencies and international organizations.

4.3. Building a strong Marine Sector;

Environmental sustainability can be ensured by building a strong marine sector. Consolidation and strengthening the marine sector’s legal and management framework is the primary activity in this regard. We need to re-organise the present institutions dealing with environmental matters, in terms of their functions, coordination, monitoring, evaluation and improve decision-making process. This will facilitate the development of a holistic and integrated approach to the sustainable management of the use of marine resources. Relevant legal instruments must be updated, upgraded and enacted early. An exercise cross-referencing various instruments with one another is essential. Regulations must also be in place as well as monitoring and enforcement capacities to give effect to their enactment.

There is a need for an ambitious and sufficiently broad-based public education programme in order to ensure nation-wide receivership. We must also build awareness of the social, cultural, economic and financial cost of undesirable environmental practices at the national level, the implications for the quality of life and the sustainable use and development of marine resources. Participation by public sector, NGO’s and the private sector in the planning, coordination and implementation of coastal / marine programmes.

Our government should work with regional and international institutions in development of a programme, which addresses major environmental problems using an integrated and holistic approach to resolve the problems. The project proposal should be an integrated management plan for management of the shore based resources and should focus on liquid waste management. It is important that we establish and centralise GIS / environmental information and data bank and environmental education and public awareness unit. Major governmental agencies involved in coastal / marine resources management e.g. Conservation and Fisheries, Agriculture, Environmental health, Development Planning Unit, Town and Country Planning departments, needs significant capacity building especially in the areas of human resources development, greater provision of equipment supplies.

From the above, there is no doubt that if our future development is to be sustainable in the long term, it must be in harmony with the environment. All environmental matters should be on our national agenda. It is important to have an effective and efficient management strategy and it should be an integral part of the overall development strategy. We should recognise that environmental management is a shared responsibility that requires the collaboration of the public and private sectors, NGO’s, as well as individuals in their communities. Each BVIslander must accept responsibility for protecting the environment. Therefore our government should facilitate this collaborative venture approach to environmental management by continuing its programmes to increase, at all levels, awareness of environmental issues facing the territory and outlining the responsibilities of each group.


5. To Improve the Physical Infrastructure

Improving our physical infrastructure is one of the main development challenges facing our country. The NIDS consultative process and the subsequent analysis suggest that in order to contribute to the consolidation of the development gains in our country. We must have the ability to respond effectively to the general needs for all forms of required infrastructure. Therefore we need to improve the quantity and quality of our physical infrastructure according to the present and future needs. One of the most important activities of the integrated development process is to improve and expand essential infrastructure services in our road network, air transport system, electricity system, marine transport system, telecommunications systems and drainage systems. Indeed, these have an impact on all facets of our national development. 

Inspite of heavy expenditure in recent years, these important infrastructure services are plagued by lack of maintenance and rehabilitation, inefficient management, the absence of required new investments on timely basis and where relevant, inadequate cost recovery systems. Our future development policies, needs to focus on the following strategies.

5.1. Improving and Expand the Road Network

We should improve and expand our road network in main centers and rural areas. Our main roads are currently in a state of moderate to severe distress and are in need of improvement and maintenance. Also the major problem facing the road network system especially in Tortola, where there is high level of motor vehicle ownership, which due to methods employed. In most cases, PWD does all the road maintenance works but lacks the proper equipment. In this case we should equip PWD with proper tools / equipment and we should involve our local contractors in construction of new roads. In recognizing the importance of roads in our economic development our strategies should aim at rehabilitation and improving condition of road network and strengthening maintenance and fully funding of all roads programmes. We should develop a medium and long-term road transport plan. These can be achieved by formulating and implementing standards to ensuring conformity to roads design standards and to environment protection requirements, which means we should enforce standards of road design and improve supervision of all new road cutting especially in hilly areas. We should put in place maintenance systems after a certain period in time. We should improve urban-road design such that they cater for further expansion and pedestrian paths, this will make roads safer for drivers and pedestrians. Also there is a great need to name and classify all roads to facilitate maintenance and identification by users.

5.2. Improving Our Air transport System

Apart from road network improvement, we need also to improve our air transport system by enhancing airport facilities management systems and airport infrastructure. We need to improve our three airports of Beef Island, Virgin Gorda and Anegada to the required standards by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and provide them with sophisticated navigation equipment, which will provide more precise guidance to aircraft operating at our airports. Such an improvement will enhance airport safety and security. The Beef Island Airport Development Project, which includes, the expansion of the runway and a new terminal building is an integral part of improving air transport system and boosting of tourism in our country. Therefore this project should meet required international standards for such project. Our regulatory procedures and management needs to be improved. In order to achieve the above we need to establish and maintain regulatory oversight in accordance with standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). Also we need to undertake tests and inspections of airports and airline procedures to ensure that they comply with Civil Aviation Agency (CAA) recommendations and we should take steps to rectify deficiencies. 

Therefore, physical improvements at Beef island and facilities at Virgin Gorda and Anegada, plus proper regulated aviation procedures / regulations, will ensure that the BVI meets the internationally required standards of safety and security, and this will promote tourism sector which is a backbone of our national economy.

5.3. Improving and Expanding Our Electricity System

Another Strategy is to improve and expand our electricity system. Electric power is a very important element in economic and social development. Their linkage with other sectors is most dynamic and delivers the major impact to the entire economy of country. 
We all know that, the entire expansion of our international economy is based on tourism and financial services, obviously has direct linkages with reliable electricity supply. Because of this, our future development plans and strategies should concentrate on the improvement of the availability, reliability and security of electricity supply. We can do this by expansion of power generation and distribution capacity. Also, by rehabilitation of existing systems, which includes generators, transmission lines and storage facilities. We need to assist BVI Electricity Corporation in improving efficiency in power generation by strengthening of maintenance capabilities through proper training, timely availability of law material and equipment and adoption of appropriate electricity pricing system. Billing system should be strengthened and meter reading should be efficient to ensure that all clients are billed monthly for electricity supply and disconnection are made to customers who don’t pay. 

The electric power system needs to maintain effective level of stock store through the procurement and distribution of material, tools and equipment, regular stocking, security of stock and accounts reports. We should ensure that all matters pertaining to administration and accounts are undertaken efficiently and that all resources allocated to the BVIEC is properly accounted for. 

Last but not least, we should undertake the efficient selection, testing, recruitment, training, development and deployment all personnel within the company. If government addresses these concerns properly, on doubt our national economy will continue to grow and expand. Therefore, the continuous growth of the BVI will depend very much on adequate continuous reliable electricity supply to the entire economy of the territory. 

5.4. Upgrading our Marine Transport System

We can improve our physical infrastructure by also upgrading our marine transportation system. Sea transport assumes a critical level of importance in our community because it is a major means of transport for residents and tourists within the territory. In addition, it accounts for two-thirds of international arrivals and the majority of international trade of this territory. In this case, we need to upgrade our facilities at our main ports and improve facilities for the operation of ferry services especially Road Town, West End, Virgin Gorda, and Jost Van Dyke. We need to provide and maintain the required sea transportation infrastructure, and improve the efficiency in handling of cargo and passenger operations. Therefore rehabilitation and improvement of the infrastructure and strengthening of maintenance should be our priority. 

We need to provide necessary financial and human resources needs to BVI Port Authority. This will enable the company to fulfil its obligations, which includes expansion of port facilities including berthing and storage at Port Purcell, construction of terminal building at cruise ship pier, improvement and expansion of port and passenger facilities at Western End. We need to minimise transportation environmental hazards by reviewing and updating national legislation on marine transportation operational and safety requirements in line with international conventions and agreements. 

We need to establish a regulatory framework designed to achieve a greater degree of safety and reduce the number of marine accidents. Also we need to strengthen surveys and inspections of transportation operation equipment regularly and enhance marine management information network, which will improve effective and efficiency operation.

5.5. Upgrading and Expanding Our Communications Systems

Another strategy related to improving our physical infrastructure is the upgrading and expanding of our telecommunications systems. Telecommunication services, compliment other productive sectors of our economy and they provide a fast link between our territory and the rest of the world as well as well as internal links. The leading key sectors of our economy i.e. tourism and financial services are most users of telecommunication services with the international community for day-to-day operation. In other words telecommunication provides fast link between areas of production and market centres within and outside our country. Consequently telecommunication services are very essential for effective and competitive business. 

Because of the importance of telecommunication services in our economic and social development, we need to formulate a telecommunication policy, which will provide future telecommunication guide and strategy. The policy / strategy should aim at improving local and international telecommunication quality and to widen coverage of telecommunication services and other services related to electronic commerce. We need to assist our main telecommunication provider, i.e. Cable & Wireless (West Indies) Limited and BVI Boat Phone and we should create conducive environment for new investors. The government role should be focused on policy and regulatory issues. We should enhance benefits from global telecommunication links by effective participation in regional and international cooperation arrangements. We should assist to strengthen the management of the sub-sector by building capacity for monitoring the sub-sector, as well as setting and enforcing service quality standards. We should assist in training of personnel in management and engineering fields. We should improve customer services by rehabilitation and repairing of dilapidated infrastructure and use of modern telecommunication equipment and facilities. In short, telecommunication services will continue to play a big role in our economic and social development.

5.6. Upgrading and Improving our Drainage System

It is absolutely essential that we upgrade and improve our drainage system. We all know the problems associated with our poor drainage systems in the BVI. Flooding is a problem that tends to occur in lowland areas. The drains that are currently in place are too small and cannot adequately accommodate the runoff that occurs in low land areas, presently, water settles on the surface crating saturated or swampy conditions. Also there is a general problem with the channeling of rainwater on existing mountain roads. These roads were constructed initially without consideration of proper drainage systems. Roads were constructed in such a way that allows water to flow on the existing roadway; in this case asphalt that is laid in an effort to create traction for motorists is usually washed away with heavy rainfall. 

There is a need therefore to have a proper design for roads to keep our territory beautiful and attractive in order to entice tourists who are important for the economic and social development of this country. In deed, our future development strategies should focus on formulating polices and strategies to alleviate the problems associated with drainage and ensure that the development of the sub-sector is environmentally and socially sustainable. 

Legislation on drainage should be enacted immediately. This will guide future developers as far as standard rules and regulations are concerned. The legislation should conform to the OECS drainage ordinance. Greater emphasis should be on maintenance and rehabilitation of existing drainage systems. We should make sure that proper design of drainage facilities, are carried out by qualified engineers experienced in hydrological design. 

This of course will involve training of our own engineers. Any construction project need to follow the standards set by UNCHS/UNDP programme for Environmentally Sustainable Land Use Planning and Settlements Developments in the OECS in 1994. All these strategies will ensure that the development of drainage system is environmentally and socially sustainable. 

5.7. Upgrading, Improving and Expanding Our Water and Sewerage Systems

We need to upgrade our water distribution systems in major settlements areas, including all islands in the territory and we need also to expand the sewerage systems in all areas of high residential densities. Our challenge now, is to provide potable quality water to all the residents of the territory. In this case, we will ensure that over 95% of the households are connected to public water supply system. Further more, all the desalination plants should be expanded and upgraded to the required standards. 

Regarding our sewerage system, we will make sure that 100% of our homes and buildings have either septic tanks or are connected to the sewerage system. Wastewater treatment should be expanded to avoid discharges of untreated effluent into the marine areas. Also we will make sure that all yachts have pump facilities to avoid polluting seawater. Measures will be put in place to ensure the efficient management and proper maintenance of water and sewerage systems.

The NIDS consultative process has concluded that, in order to contribute to the consolidation of the development gains, our country must have the ability to respond effectively to all forms required physical infrastructure. And one of the most important strategies of the integrated development process is to improve and expand essential physical infrastructure services in our country, so as to support other sectors and enhance economic and social development of the BVI.

6. To Improve Social Cohesion

From the consultative process of the National Integrated Development Strategy, we have discovered that one result of our immigration dependent pattern of development is the cultural diversity and multi-ethnicity of our population. Unfortunately, this situation tends towards social disintegration, which is the major disadvantage in a small society like the BVI. While it is inevitable that migrant peoples will hold on to their traditions and culture, they have what constitutes almost a responsibility to cohere with the society in which they reside without losing their identity. 
Similarly, our people need to preserve their cultural heritage in the face of the invasion of cultures through immigration. Amidst all of this, the challenge is to forge a cohesive society where all people can live together and share space. This can be achieved effectively by integration of five main development strategies. These includes; First, promoting of social capital development, second, providing a safe ordered living environment, third, enhancing social integration, fourth, creating an appropriate population and last but not least creating a capacity to manage population.


6.1. Promoting Social Capital Development

As we have already seen, our future development planning should be directed towards promotion and enhancement of human capital and reduction of the level of labour import. Our institutions, especially those in financial services and tourism, need highly trained human resources to direct the paths to global economic competitiveness in this century. We need to resolve the issues of shortage of labour and the consequential importation of labour. Social capital development strategy, include our education, health, social development, economic, labour and immigration strategies. As our economy demands labour, which cannot be supplied on the domestic market, labour, immigration, education, health and social welfare policies must be integrated to accommodate such needs.

Supporting the development of civil network should be a key priority. The government should facilitate the development of networks within communities. In this case our government should develop a framework to ensure the effective coordination of the integrated community development approach and build capacity at the community level. Our people at the community level should be given opportunity to participate in planning and implementation, decision-making process for matters affecting them. This means that government should evaluate safety net programmes and a develop participatory approach to design. It is also necessary to prioritize adequate safety-net programmes and develop a system, which helps beneficiaries to maintain their dignity. Therefore we should develop adequate legal and administrative frameworks for community groups to facilitate the above objectives. 

6.2. Providing a Safe, Ordered Living Environment

Our country is in a high-risk zone with respect to hurricanes, earthquakes, etc. The most effective approach to reduce severe damage by the worst effects of such natural phenomena is to include disaster preparedness in shelter planning and enforcement of building code. Other hazards, which affect the safety in the settlements, include fire in both public and domestic buildings, pollution in settlements and beaches etc. Because of this we need to improve standards for safety and provide more up to date comprehensive land use planning legislation so that policies in the spatial plan can be properly implemented and enforced. We need to improve standards in the building industry by introducing a building code, which will ensure that all buildings and other physical structures are secure from damage by hurricanes and other disasters e.g. fires. 

To ensure an orderly development pattern we need to provide clear policies on the location of infrastructure i.e. settlements, transport facilities and utilities, social and economic infrastructures. We should ensure an environment in which our people live is free from disturbances of commercial, industrial or other activities unsuitable in the residential areas. This means that relevant legislation and tighter administrative procedures are needed to cover every aspect mentioned.

6.3. Enhancing Social Integration 

Despite the low incidences of poverty in the territory, the integrated approach to sustainable development related to social development and welfare needs to be a prime national strategy. This strategy will help to reduce alienation and address concerns of the vulnerable groups, including poor immigrants workers and the youth. The integrated approach will facilitate greater community participation in the process of development. Programmes should be developed to deal with stress-related problems of a more affluent society, including childcare, gender support and rehabilitation. The focus of this component of the strategy will be on considerations of equity and effective targeting of potential beneficiaries. Essential elements will include the establishment of comprehensive data base to facilitate ongoing analysis of social issues and the implementation of measures to improve the social and economic status of the less fortunate individuals in the society. 

The government needs to formulate economic and social policies to address the whole range of factors that contribute to poverty. These policies should seek to improve the availability and quality of shelter and basic services, and to generate opportunities for employment and sustainable livelihoods.

Government needs to develop new strategies to improve access to the health care services for the poor or vulnerable groups and devise preventive strategies that address lifestyle diseases. We need to increase investment in education, thereby raising the skill levels and productivity and improving the quality of the learning process. Also there is a need to empower women and men through access to assets and productive resources, such as land, credit, technology, training and markets and to enable people to participate in the political processes that shape their lives.

Government needs to increase and improve the monitoring of social development and poverty eradication and support NGO’s in their roles as facilitators for the involvement of the vulnerable groups in the development process. We need to enhance the role of socio-cultural factors and practices in the development process and address gender inequalities currently requiring action. We should make sure that social security benefits keep pace with inflation and per capita growth of the territory. The government needs to develop adequate legal and policy frameworks to deal effectively with the problems of general poverty and poverty that is linked to immigration and population policies and their immediate concern. The aim here is to come up with strategies that addresses the problem in a comprehensive and integrated manner.

6.4. Creating an Appropriate Population

The territory is currently experiencing rapid population growth of 2.3% per annum. The population almost has doubled within the last 20 years. The government acknowledges interrelation between population and development, and is committed to the integration of population issues in the national planning process. The imperative of our development effort implies that immigration shall continue to be a part of the future of our social and economic life. 

The challenge facing our country is creating an appropriate population, which will strike the necessary balance between our social infrastructure and the labour requirements. The challenge facing our country, is not to eliminate immigration but to look at it in a positive way, to encourage a pattern of immigration and type of immigrant that are consistent with the development needs of the territory and the realities of social life. Immigrants must be viewed as a necessary development resource and not a problem. There are obvious costs to this policy. 

In general there is the need to develop explicit policies on population and immigration. These policies will incorporate population and immigration issues in the development planning process and will guide us, and give directions on future development. Because of this, we need to strengthen the collection of population statistics. These data will be used for socio-economic planning for our people. Therefore, there is a need to establish a Population Unit in the government structure. 


6.5. Creating a Capacity to Manage Population

How can we create capacity to manage our population? Of course we can develop several strategies to do this. One of these strategies is to develop Population Education, Information and Communication Programmes. Information, education and communication are the most important tools open to the population as these allow them the ability to act more independently, freely and responsibly. These tools would be used to raise and enhance the understanding about the relevance of population and related issues. Effective information, education and communication efforts should utilise a wide range of communication channels including counseling, schools, churches, workplaces, the mass media, traditional folk art, seminars, etc.

At present the BVI do not have a regular programme in place to disseminate population information and related issues to the masses. Therefore the government should develop these programmes as a priority. The proposed Population Unit, should be able to produce an Annual Report on Population in the BVI to be distributed to different institutions and the public for planning purpose and educating the public. Apart from producing population annual report, there is a need to strengthen and improve the immigration database for future population programmes. Such programmes will help us to assess and determine the labour needs, appropriate control and to monitor immigration flows. To be successful in this, we need to review our immigration legal framework. 


Government will establish a Population Council. This Board will be responsible for advising on the administration and management of all issues related to population in the BVI. We can enhance social cohesion and integration if government, the public and private institutions, NGOs and the community work together to make the BVI a better place to live. Sustainable development and social cohesion programmes have to be comprehensive and coordinated with all political, technical, economic, institutional and management elements that make up the development process. A critical requirement as we have seen, is to have a strong government, which draws its strength from building strong not inflexible institutions and promoting a framework in which they can operate. The framework must include the explicit articulation of the principles, which will guide the decisions on social cohesion and development. Included are legal systems, regulatory agencies and the reform of the public administration. 


7. Attain Global Competitiveness

The greatest portion of the services are produced for sophisticated international markets suggesting that attaining and maintaining global competitiveness should a top priority.

In order to attain global competitiveness, we need to strengthen our domestic productive capacity opening our doors to the New International Order Globalization. Globalization means liberalization of trade, increasing international flows of capital and foreign direct investment, integration of national markets with the rest of the world, increasing movement of goods and services across our borders, deregulation of our financial market, spreading of transnational production and services across our borders, and employment of new and more efficient technologies, particularly Information Technology. 

To us, Globalization is not a new phenomenon; it is a key characteristic of the New World Order and we have been a part of it for sometime. Globalization began a few decades ago and it has become an economic tidal wave that is sweeping the international economy, and effective integration into that environment is significant challenge for BVIslanders. Fortunately, we are already very much a part of that economy, and are aware of the strong effects that impel it. 

From the consultative process of NIDS, we have found that in order to attain Global Competitiveness, it is necessary that we pursue an integrated set of development policies: First, we need to Improve Information Technology. Second, we need to Upgrade Economic Management. Third, we need to Promote Science and Technology. Fourth, we need to develop Electronic Commerce. Fifth, we need to facilitate Connectedness with the rest of the world, and lastly but not least, we need to insert our country in the world economy. Let us examine in detail the measures required for each strategy.


7.1. Improving Information Technology

Application of Appropriate Information Technology to the business processes and to our lives in general, is the most important goal if we are to find our place in the global economy in this Information Age. Our key production sectors i.e. Tourism and Offshore Financial Services are highly dependent on technology in information exchange in reservation systems, legal systems, accounting, environmental engineering, etc. Therefore our National Information Infrastructure must have interconnectivity, interoperability and interface with the Global Information Infrastructure (GII) especially in the areas of telecommunications, information base etc. 

The government has a critical role to play in the development and of information technology. Our National Information Infrastructure should be used for diversification of our productive possibilities in the global information industries. Also it is important to support our local entrepreneurs who are willing to invest in telecommunication, information, intellectual property and other technology based products. We should also provide tax incentives for Information Technology users to enable the majority of our people access to such services.

Consideration will be given to the establishment of a National Information Systems Center (NISC) within the public service, which is the repository of significant information. This will facilitate the establishment and linking of Management Information Systems (MIS) in a number of different areas such as economics, finance, trade, health and environment. These will be linked to existing systems such as the GIS and statistics.

7.2. Upgrading Economic Management

No doubt the economy of the BVI has been one of the fastest growing in the region, with real growth averaging just over 6% per year, between 1993 to 1998. Our development goal therefore, is to sustain our economic growth for many years to come. Sustainable development requires sound economic management, which means improvement in the capacity of the government to facilitate economic activity, ensure proper planning and fiscal management, especially for two leading sectors of offshore financial services and tourism.

Apart from the economic success for the past decade, our territory remains a very open economy that is vulnerable to external factors. To reduce vulnerability and increase the efficiency in economic management, we need to formulate a comprehensive development strategy with the following objectives / goals. Promotion of the private sector as the main engine of economic growth, maintenance of macroeconomic stability, enhancement of international creditworthiness, promotion of greater international competitiveness and diversification of economic activity. 

Our main policies and programmes should be formulated and implemented to attain the above goals. We need to improve our business environment to facilitate private sector activities. Economic growth should be maintained at a level that is consistent with the requirements of integrated development. We should continue to promote and sustain balanced economic growth by coordinating macro-economic policies so that they are mutually reinforcing and conducive to broad-based, sustainable development, as well as substantial increase in productive employment expansion.

The government will develop appropriate labour and immigration policies so that the entry of immigrants to the BVI is consistent with the requirement of human resource needs. Consideration should be given to the granting of work permits for periods that are more consistent with efficient business practices, and that will allow the individuals to be integrated into the social fabric of our society and plan the lives more effectively. At the same time, the granting of permits will be structured to ensure that skills of the immigrants, particularly the professionals, are passed on to locals. Simultaneous with the introduction of this appropriate immigration and labour policy, the government should undertake human resources planning as essential element of economic management. This will ensure that both immigration and training are consistent with the human resource requirements of the territory.

The state will continue to play a central role in the development process. Good governance and promotion of social stability, as well as efficient management of the economy will be given high priority. The government should support external trade and innovation in the service industries. The Public Sector Development Programme, which has been initiated, should play a key role in support of economic management by increasing efficiency, accountability and transparency. 

7.3. Promoting Science and Technology

Science & Technology should play an increasingly greater role in our national development, particularly in improving efficiency, productivity and competitiveness. As a first step towards improving the scientific and technological capability of the territory, government should increase its investment in scientific and technological education. 

Attention should be focused on re-orientation of science and technology education to learning that will fosters creativity and innovation among our people, especially the young generation. Emphasis should be placed on developing a core of researchers, technologists and educators who can play a major role in advancing our capability in this field. The secondary school system, the community college and our overseas training programme are important instruments for pursing this objective. Attempts will be made to attract back to the territory, citizens who are engaged in these activities overseas.

For effective and efficient operation in the new information age, we should identify our information requirements and allocate adequate resources to facilitate the use of information as input into sustainable development. Information is also useful in strengthening the social and cultural identity of our country while nurturing our active democracy. Government should pursue these objectives within the context of National Information Policy supported by the appropriate National Infrastructure and involvement of all stakeholders. 


7.4. Promoting Electronic Commerce

As we all know, Electronic Commerce (e-commerce) is a business transaction where the parties transact electronically rather than by physical exchange or personal contact. It is rapidly becoming one of the principal means of conducting business and financial transactions. It has the potential to provide smaller economies with improved means and ease of communications to business conducts, lower priced products, reduction of barriers to entry to world markets, reduced transaction costs and improved potential for delivery of services. This amounts to leveling the playing field and a presentation of greater opportunities for smaller players.

In order to promote e-commerce in the BVI, we need to have a clear policy on e-commerce and develop infrastructure that will facilitate the growth of e-commerce. Such policy requires a coordinated approach between the government and private sector. 

If we are able to improve in this area, the country will enjoy an influx of new business. Business that can operate over the internet without needing to establish a physical presence in a country with higher tax rates will naturally gravitate to lower tax jurisdictions, such as BVI. As there are many Asset Protection Centres throughout the world, what is needed to set the BVI apart is the existence of an environment, both technological and legal, that makes it easier, and hence more profitable, for business to locate in the BVI rather than in another country with comparable tax laws. In this case, we must develop a high quality global telecommunications network if we want to attract e-commerce clients. Of course issues of bandwidth, service, fault tolerance and security must be considered.

The BVI’s e-commerce infrastructure must be globally interoperable. Interoperability will allow interconnection, increase market acceptance of e-commerce, and reduce operating costs. To have viable e-commerce, we must have Internet Service Providers (ISP) and Local Network Access Providers (LNAP), and services must be available at a reasonable cost. We should also develop the human component of e-commerce infrastructure. 

The BVI’s success will depend on having a workforce that, possess the necessary digital literacy and business skills. The government should encourage educational institutions in the BVI to develop and offer courses to produce the skills needed for e-commerce. Until a critical mass of skilled employees exists on the territory, we should adopt immigration policy that would encourage skilled workers to come to BVI should be considered. Such an approach will help e-commerce to grow, as more business means more money that can be spent on services, increasing their quality while lowering their costs. 

Another important strategy is for BVI to have practicable and clear rules to assist both businesses and consumers. Such rules should provide both clear options and guidance in this area of telecommunications. Effective regulations, requires the development of self-regulatory codes, which can provide important protections and assurances to businesses and consumers in the areas of competition, security, and intellectual property. These assurances will increase the confidence of the international telecommunications community doing business in the BVI. To be successful, it is important to link our e-commerce with our offshore financial services, as a key strategy for cross-fertilization and expansion of both sectors. 


7.5. Facilitating Connectiveness with the rest of the world: 

Economic globalization requires connectivity with the rest of the world in terms of telecommunications and other technological links. To us BVIslanders, this means that we should ensure that we are properly connected to the rest of the world in the most effective way, if at all we want to compete in the Global Economy. Because of connectivity more countries are benefiting from the global economy and have better greater opportunities for business for their citizens. 

The whole world is now our market. Companies in our offshore financial services sector serve clients from all over the world. Globalization and the New Age of Information have no age nor gender qualifications. Together, they constitutes an economic tidal wave of which we are unmistakably a part, since most of our national income comes from abroad and is generated substantially through information technology. 

The future role of our government should be to facilitate enhance connectivity with the rest of the world. This can be done by identification our connectivity requirements and by allocating adequate resources to facilitate connectivity to the rest of the world. Therefore the government should make the necessary investment in Information Technology and the focus should be on the formulation of National Information Policy and establishment of appropriate information infrastructure to link BVI with the rest of the world. In this case it is necessary for the government to facilitate the participation of private sector by building a conducive environment for private investors.

7.6. Inserting the BVI in the World Economy:

One of the main development issue facing us is how do we insert the BVI in the new international economy. Globalization is a reality and the BVI must intensify it preparation for playing from this platform, i.e. a platform of free markets, competition worldwide, decentralization of the eroding of the geographical boundaries of countries. As we know, the pillars of our economy i.e. offshore financial services and tourism are volatile and vulnerable to global events.

Together with the occurrence of natural disasters, our economic pillars contribute to our susceptibility and vulnerability of our economy as a whole. People all over the world benefits from new technology, better and greater opportunities for business emerge. The whole world is our market; therefore, we cannot afford to close the doors to foreign competition to foreign investment or foreign labour. The BVI must prepare to make good use of this opportunity. Since most of our national income comes from abroad, we are already part of global economy. Therefore we must be part of the solution, we must develop the abilities of our people to cope with the inescapable challenge of globalization. We must find our markets and exploit them to the fullest. 

To insert the BVI in the World Economy we should apply the integrated approach of planning, which should include the following strategies; we should establish a framework to prepare the BVI for future political options. We should establish the macroeconomic foundation for strong and sustainable economic growth by maintaining market equilibrium, maintain a world market interest rate regime and maintain a strong fiscal position. We should continue to promote the BVI’s products (Tourism and Offshore financial Services) abroad. We must apply appropriate science and technology to the productive process and improve local and international telecommunication services to provide greater links with the Global Information Infrastructure. Government must create a conducive environment to attract International Foreign Investments and regulate our legal framework up to international standards. Government should strengthen our external relations framework and find new ways / mechanism for new type of relationships with EU, UN organisations, CARICOM and other international organisations. 

Government should facilitate the formation of partnerships and business relationships between nationals and non-nationals under an internationally acceptable legal framework. Increasing the level of accessibility to our territory by expanding transport infrastructure facilities (air and sea) must be a priority. We should institute and enforce laws and regulations, which will govern land uses plan and environmental protection. Government should continue to improve our economic and financial database and strengthen the existing information and reporting system so as to improve quality, quantity and timeliness. We should enhance our economic management capacity to manage inflation, debt, public finance and a wider role of the state, especially in the matters of international trade. If the above strategies are implemented effectively and efficiently, we should be able to insert our country in the World Economy.

8. To Improve Governance

The concept of governance has become a part of the international discussion on development, emerging as concomitant requirement for economic and social development. As a result, the international agenda is replete with statements such as “Good governance is basic to the economic and social progress of all countries”. In general terms, governance is the exercise of authority, control, management and power by the government. Good governance can be measured by the extent to which a government performs its core responsibilities efficiently and effectively, where efficiency refers to the ratio of inputs to outputs and effectiveness to the extent to which the intended impacts are realised. 

With so many development challenges facing our territory, good governance is undoubtedly one of the most critical. The overriding objective of governance is to strengthen the capacities of our government to manage the development process effectively, and to create an environment that promotes individual creativity and collective responsibility in civil society. 

The NIDS consultative process and the subsequent analysis reveal that to improve governance three important development strategies should be pursued; First, promoting democracy, participation and deliberation. Second, making government work better for the people. Last but not least, creating a good fiscal climate and a viable public sector. Let us examine in details the measure required for each strategy.

8.1. Promoting Democracy, Participation and Deliberation;

Integrated development planning, calls for an approach, which promotes democracy, participation, deliberation and integration supporting both the top-down and bottom-up approaches to decision making. In so doing the promotion of democracy encourages transparency, accountability and good governance.

Good governance, including the construction, implementation and publicising of rules on a fair and equitable basis is indispensable to the smooth operations of a market economy underpinned by a participative democracy. Predictability is fundamental to good economic decisions and it is especially important for our foreign direct investment objectives and our international trade in tourism and financial services. Foreign investors and foreigners intending to do business in our jurisdiction want to be reassured of our capacity and record in governance is up to world community standards. Our actions should be predictable once the rules are established and publicized. 

Improving governance would receive good support from effective participation of BVIslanders (stakeholders) in all development process / matters i.e. socio-economic and political. Effective participation implies an active role within the planning and decision-making process stakeholders, and this assumes that, the public will participate in various stages of the development. Also this implies empowering the people to prioritize their needs. Such an approach emphasizes the inter-agency and participatory approach to the policy and planning outcome / outputs, it calls for co-operation between public, private sectors and NGO’s entities. Of course we are expecting NGO’s to play a big role in this area, but there must be a predictable and known framework under which they exist.

Our democratic institutions must remain the key to political stability, and efficient, open and honest public administration remains essential for the economy to operate effectively. Our systems of public consultation, deliberation and consensus building need to be regularised and formally established under a legal framework. The BVI must become a rules-based community follows the trend establish under globalisation. Our territory must earn the certification of the community as a fighter against international narco-trafficking, white-collar crime in financial services, a fighter against terrorism and a promoter of personnel security, etc. Besides this, government must actively promote consultation deliberation in advance of major investment decisions.

To improve governance, a National Information Infrastructure (NII) will be needed to facilitate expansion of international trade. This means, our National Information Infrastructure, must have interconnectivity, interoperability and interface with the Global Information Infrastructure (GII) especially in the areas of telecommunications, information base, etc. It is important that we strengthen and improve our information base in terms of reliable data and highly trained personnel. This implies language training to converse in different languages or broadening the base of our communications skills.

8.2. Making Government Work Better for the people;

The role of the Government is to improve the quality of life of its people by ensuring an adequate provision of good and services with equity and fairness. In order for government activity to achieve these goals efficiently and effectively, certain general criteria should be met. These include;

Government should be accountable to its people. All public servants and others holding public office must be held accountable for their actions. This is essential if the development goals of the territory are to be realized. Without accountability the risk of corruption and misappropriation of public funds looms large. Accountability itself can be effective if there are checks and balances provided by the Constitution, timely availability of and access to information, freedom of speech, consultation and an environment in which public opinion is generated and respected. 

Transparency is an essential feature of government activity. Essential to attaining this is again the timely availability of information that will allow an assessment of government activity. Confidentiality is often used to negate transparency. The information necessary for transparency relates not only to ongoing and future activity but to the publication and availability of general social and economic data required by individuals and institutions wishing to plan their activities rationally. Therefore, strengthening the flow of information and opportunities for dialogue on development policies and programmes will be given a priority.

Good governance requires that government should establish and enforce stable legal and economic frameworks, which ensure the predictability of state and individual actions and which are conducive to private initiative. A climate conducive to investment, particularly foreign investment, requires the certainty of law manifested by an independent and competent judiciary and judicial system, as well as the existence of known and recognized procedures, in order to protect property and enforce treaties and agreements effectively.

Therefore we need to institutionalize the development review and appraisal of these frameworks. There is also need for certainty in economic policy and planning over a given period. This should be manifested by the existence of an economic policy framework based on sound and prudent fiscal and economic management.

Elimination of Poverty is one of the challenges facing modern governments. It is expected therefore that activities and programmes of government will be geared directly towards improving the well being of the poor, and indirectly towards facilitating the work of NGO’s in this area.

Environmental Management is required to enhance governance. The environment is one of the critical pillars of sustainability and our government must pay particular attention to it, to ensure that future generations are not burdened with the environmental debt of our generation.

There is also unanimity that considerations such as respect for human rights, participation in the political process, consultation and the explicit recognition of the plurality of modern societies are essential preconditions for good governance.

Making government work better for the people, will involve reforms of the government operations, regulations / rules and procedures. The reforms are to deal with Globalisation of the world, the digital economy, and the knowledge based operations etc. The Public Sector Development Programme, which has been initiated by the government recently, no doubt will promote governance and support economic management by increasing efficiency, accountability and transparency.

8.3. Creating a Good Fiscal Climate and a Viable Public Sector:

The primary responsibilities of the government are related to, its facilitating role, by providing a conducive environment for foreign investment and economic management of the territory in general. 

The absence of an investment policy and process clearly designed to provide instant opportunity, objectivity and transparency in the decision-making process is an impediment to further investment. As well, some aspects of investment policies that are clearly articulated in law are almost never done in practice. A further issue related to the investment environment is the level of bureaucracy involved in receiving timely approval of an investment application. 

The strategic goals of the BVI government is to improve the capacity and increase efficiency, also to enhance the quality of services in public sector management and administration. Several measures will be taken including the following;

There is need to focus on the core functions of government, leaving as much commercial activity as possible for the private sector. This will strengthen its regulatory capacity by formulating and implementing the necessary regulations. This will involve the establishment of a new legal and accountability framework for public enterprises. Government should also strengthen the planning and formulation capacities of the various agencies of the government. This will require an enhancement of the human resource capacity of the public sector through education, training and recruitment of individuals with proper skills, and the implementation of public sector programmme.

The investment environment will be established, an improved package of focused and targeted incentives relevant for national investors, a clear articulated investment policy that is well-publicised, an efficient implementation framework of bureaucratic procedures and the availability of technical and financial resources will be the priority of the government.

The government will develop and maintain sound financial and budgetary controls buttressed by effective Internal Audit and Management Information Systems (MIS) without stifling the economy. This will involve the strengthening the finance machinery of the central government, which will includes, revenue enhancement, borrowing and debt management, contingency reserves and the Public Sector Investment Programme. The Ministry of Finance as the government’s focal point will continue to provide leadership in the development and implementation of an overall economic and fiscal strategy aimed at promoting financial and economic stability, growth and development of the territory. 

In conclusion we can say that “Governance” has been globalised much the same way as production and our country / territory needs to establish or pronounce its position on global issues such as population, social development, crime, children, youth and women for the sake of determining consistency with the world standards. Other important issues in international governance as we have seen above are environmental management, human rights and the participation of NGO’s in the public sector decision-making process.



Improved good governance is of such importance today that the future of many countries depends on it. Our situation is not unlike that in other parts of the world where democratic institutions remain the key to political stability, and efficient, open, and honest public administration remains essential for the economy to operate effectively and for democracy to function.


The challenge for us, therefore, is to build on our foundation and experience of governance, albeit limited, to ensure that the affairs of the territory are administered properly and always in the national interest. In this regard, we must strive to attain and maintain the highest standards of governance; we must foster and protect our democratic traditions and institutions. 

9. To Preserve Our Cultural Heritage

The culture of a society is the way of life of its members, the collection of ideas and habits, which they learn, share and transmit from generation to generation. In other words, culture is a combination of the arts, customs, beliefs and institutions created by a group of people at a particular time and place. Their activities and the products derived from them interact with and modify their environment. Cultural Survivals or heritage includes everything that has been handed down to us by our ancestors that continues to affect our pattern of behaviour and the way we live. 

Over the years, the heavy inflow of immigrants, have contributed significantly to the cultural diversity of our territory. As a result, government has taken a number of steps to preserve the rich cultural heritage of our society that is also an important product for our tourism industry. Recent initiatives include the promotion of annual cultural events and festivals, as well as the preservation of our historical sites. The establishment of a Virgin Islands study department at the HLSCC, the search for a national song and a number of small but significant activities. The responsibility for the preservation of our cultural heritage is shared between the government through the Department of Education and Culture, and the community through a number of NGOs and community minded individuals.

From our consultative process, we have concluded that in order to preserve our cultural heritage, the following measures should be pursued as in integrated package; first, promote the awareness of our culture. Second, promote the commercial aspects of our culture and lastly we need to facilitate and encourage other cultures among us. The following are the proposed strategies:

9.1. Promote the Awareness of Our Culture

There is a pressing need to educate the public, especially the immigrant public about our culture. We need to learn and educate our children about our culture. Learning about culture is learning about customs and traditions, through this, people will be aware of who we are, where we came from, the way we dance or play music, the way we speak, the way we express and the language we use etc. In other words, awareness of our culture is to know about ourselves, about our history and to help us to identify the things we do that make us a people.

In recent years, there has been a tremendous increase in the interest to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of the BVI. Various organizations, agencies and individuals, through music i.e. fungi, steel-pan and calypso, literary arts, culinary arts and fork dance keep the culture alive. Government is already committed and will continue to promote cultural awareness by taking the following measures.

To avoid the loss of our culture, a comprehensive cultural strategy must be put in place. This strategy includes the establishment of a National Advisory Committee to prepare a draft strategy assisted by public consultation.

In order to protect and enhance cultural identity of the BVI, the government will establish a department of culture, which will manage and coordinate all cultural related programmes (related to historical sites, music, sports, festivals, literary arts, culinary arts, dances etc). The department should be staffed with personnel trained in these fields and should be equipped with necessary tools to promote our culture and national identity.

Our education system should include cultural curriculum in the school syllabus, especially primary and high schools. The National Advisory Committee on Culture or an ad hoc committee can help in drafting such a curriculum in collaboration with the Department and Ministry of Education. This will help to promote our culture among the young generation and will encourage them to explore the elements of cultural survival within their own community. Discussion, painting, handcrafts, oral history, site visits, music, songs, dance, etc, should be part of the school syllabus.

Government will continue to promote public awareness of our culture. We should educate the general public by using various media available in the territory, for example, TV, radio, newspaper, inter-net etc. We need to find sponsorship for such cultural events. The government will facilitate sponsorship of such cultural events, especially August Festivals and many others. Research will be conducted to assess the benefits and economic impacts of festivals and events. Sponsors will have to ensure that they will reap economic benefits for themselves as well as BVIslanders. Such a move will not only promote our culture but will also attract more visitors who will come to witness these festival events. 

We need also to strengthen the British Virgin Islands Studies Centre at the H.L.S. Community College to do more research on our culture and other related subjects.

Another strategy is for the government and other institutions to preserve historical sites within the territory. Which means we need to provide legislation dealing with historical sites. The National Advisory Committee on Culture will collaborate with Attorney General’s Office to produce such legislation, which will also deal with other issues related to culture and cultural heritage. Planning and development guidelines for attractions, including historical sites must fit with the natural and cultural heritage of our territory.

The final part of this strategy is the development of a national museum to display artifacts, writings and other items forming critical parts of our culture.

9.2. Promote the Commercial Aspects of our Culture

BVIslanders should be encouraged to show-off their cultural heritage for economic gain. Which means, we need to promote the commercial aspects of our cultural heritage. For example, most of our visitors have no idea of the numerous festivals and events which occur in the BVI, like regattas and sports tournaments. The most popular events which attracts tourists are, Spring Regatta, Marlin Fish Tournament, Interline Regatta, Bomba Shack Full Moon Party, Spring Caribbean Arts Festival, etc. we need to provide visitors with more to see about our cultural activities, that distinguishes us from other countries (for example, music, food and dances). Visitors should at least contribute small amounts of money, as fees for our arts and other cultural works so as to promote them. 

We should continue to encourage our people to participate fully and the government, through the BVI Tourist Board will help in the promotion and marketing of these events for our economic and commercial gains. More street markets, festivals, dances, and other special events should be promoted by the Department of Culture. In addition, the department should liaise closely with the local communities, cultural groups and BVI Tourist Board so that there can be more effective communication of events that are happening for inclusion in the tourist calendar of events and in the media. Therefore we will create National Calendar of cultural events and put it on the inter-net for tourists and residents. Reasonable e