The purpose of the National Integrated Development Strategy (NIDS) is to improve the standards of living and the living conditions of British Virgin Islanders by building an economy for the 21st century (I), ensuring an ecologically sustainable environment (II), ensuring strong social integration and supportive social services (III), maintaining a good government for the people (IV) and building communities around people’s needs (V). These are our 5 major development themes which will guide our strategic objectives and major strategy measures.

To build an economy for the 21st century, we must reduce overall vulnerability (goal A) by building a strong and diversified economy (strategy 1). The public sector must provide leadership in the economy (strategy 4), policies must encourage BVIslanders to adapt to new opportunities (strategy 5), our energies must also focus on helping BVIslanders to deal with disasters and emergencies (strategy 14). A huge effort must be placed into improving the appearance of the British Virgin Islands (strategy 20) and we work tirelessly to build consumer and investors confidence and encourage them to buy locally (strategy 30).

A 21st century economy must be supported by an information age infrastructure in addition to the traditional physical infrastructure. To survive in the 21st century, the British Virgin Islands must continue to improve the physical infrastructure (goal E) through strategies designed to build an appropriate infrastructure (strategy 2) and link housing and shelter with the economy (strategy 19).

A 21st century economy must be competitive, adoptive and flexible enough to absorb rapid and comprehensive changes in this era of globalization. To survive, consolidate our gains and improve our options we must attain global competitiveness (goal G) by inserting the BVI firmly in the world community (strategy 6) and promoting the use of science and technology (strategy 29).

Winners in the 21st century economy will be those who do well in international trade, and our business is in two of the most competitive areas – tourism and financial services. Our economy must take full advantage of the shrinkage of distance which globalization has created: accordingly greater focus should be placed on promoting global connectiveness (goal H) by improving and broadening our international relations (strategy 37), preparing to do business in international trade and enhancing communications and information technology (strategy 39).

Ensuring an ecologically sustainable development (development theme II) is a prerequisite to the continued growth of our tourist industries, development of food production industries and our very existence as a country of islands. The best way to manage our environment is to ensure environmental sustainability (goal D) by promoting sustainable development (strategy 15) and building a strong marine sector (strategy 16).

A strong economy and a well-managed environment cannot meet the social needs of the people. To address the needs of our people we must strive for strong social integration and good social services (development theme III) to ensure parallel development of social, economic and environmental sectors. To fulfill the needs and aspirations of people, we must begin with enhanced human capital (goal C) by assisting BVIslanders to acquire skills (strategy 7) together with helping people to live longer, healthier lives (strategy 11). Well-developed and well-rounded persons can only develop if our efforts are focused on boosting sports, recreation and entertainment (strategy 31). Our children are our future and there must be improvement in the status of children (strategy 35).

The second dimension of striving for strong social integration and good social services is maintaining social cohesion (goal F). To achieve a socially cohesive society we must start by enhancing social integration (strategy 9) and supporting and strengthening the family (strategy 10). But we must address the issue of the vulnerable in our society, and we should do this by providing assistance and guidance to youth (strategy 12), by involving women and dealing with gender issues (strategy 13) as well as building an appropriate population given our carrying capacity (strategy 20).

A well-integrated society requires the meaningful participation of BVIslanders in the affairs of the territory (goal K). One way to ensure that participation is creating opportunity and promoting enterprise (strategy 3). Meaningful participation in our economic development can be effectively channeled by making SME’s stronger and more viable (strategy 32).

A cohesive society and strong economy are but two piece of the puzzle. In fact maintaining a good government for the people (development theme IV) contributes to development themes I, II and III. Good government means transparency, openness and accountability among other things. We need to improve governance (goal I) by providing a safe, ordered living environment (strategy 8) and building capacity to manage the full range of population affairs (strategy 22). But good government calls for promoting democracy, participation and deliberation in public affairs (strategy 23).

Our people have come to rely on government to do things for them which they are unable to do for themselves. We must make government work better for the people (strategy 24). Improved governance means creating a good fiscal climate and building a viable public sector (strategy 25) and strengthening law and order (strategy 32).

A strong and diversified economy, good governance, good environmental management require a people oriented strategy to cement the notion of putting people first. In this connection the Government of the British Virgin Islands wants to build communities around people’s need (development theme V). To ensure that the benefits of development and opportunity are distributed equitably among all BV Islanders, the Government of the British Virgin Islands seeks to ensure balanced development (goal B) through the building of ordered and well-planned communities (strategy 17), ensuring safe and well-protected communities (strategy 18) and improving the physical development of our sister islands (strategy 34).

The Government of the British Virgin Islands realizes that the essence of a people is in their culture and that it is that part of their heritage which defines them while bearing out their uniqueness. To this end, the Government of the British Virgin Islands seeks to preserve the cultural heritage (goal J) by promoting our culture (strategy 26), integrating culture in our tourism product (strategy 27) and researching, publishing and teaching our culture.

In summary, the Government of the British Virgin Islands believes that improving the standards and conditions of living is the ultimate purpose of development. The Government of the British Virgin Islands further believes that ecologically sustainable development is our only viable option for development which must be integrated among economic, social, spatial and environmental choices. Our ultimate goals can best achieved through an optimal mix of a strong knowledge economy for the 21st century, ecological sustainable environmental strategies, strong social integration and social services, good governance and communities built around people.