Wednesday, October 10 – In what has been described as highly successful, the International Finance Centre (IFC) ended a tri-capital roadshow today with visits to London, Hong Kong and Singapore.

The BVI delegation led by Deputy Premier Honourable Dancia Penn OBE, QC, comprised established BVI practitioners as well as the Executive Director of the IFC Mrs. Lorna Smith and Chief Operations Officer Mrs. Sherri Ortiz.

The delegation completed the tri-capital roadshow in Singapore today where they hosted another afternoon of presentations at the prestigious Raffles Hotel with more than 150 stakeholders and practitioners from South East Asia participating.

Deputy Premier Mrs. Dancia Penn said: “The BVI has seen tremendous growth over the past few years and we are delighted to be continuing our steps forward as a major financial jurisdiction.”

“Our commitment to further strengthening our core services in company incorporations, trusts, banking, insurance, shipping registration and investment business are clearly communicated to and understood by stakeholders in these jurisdictions,” Hon. Penn added.

While in London from October 3-4, the delegation met with over 150 service providers in the financial services industry and provided updates on the regulatory environment and current trends in trust and corporate business through meetings and presentations.

The Deputy Premier attended the presentations and addressed service providers on October 4. IFC and private sector representatives also met with several leading banks, investment houses and law firms.

From London the delegation travelled to Asia where, in Hong Kong, the Deputy Premier and delegates hosted a 180-person conference on October 8. Industry professionals and the delegation engaged in lively discussions in corporate business, investment business and trust and estate planning in an afternoon of presentations and breakout sessions.

The delegation also met with influential media in Hong Kong and Singapore, including journalists from the South China Morning Post, China Daily, The Hong Kong Economic Journal, The Straits Times and The Business Times. The media briefings are expected to have a far-reaching impact in further deepening the understanding among the Asian business community toward the attractive and reliable offerings established in the BVI.

Executive Director of the BVIIFC Mrs. Lorna Smith said it has been a hugely productive and successful ten days.

“We received very positive feedback from our audiences in all three jurisdictions who are interested in learning more of the innovative products and high quality services that the BVI provides,” she said, adding that the roadshow was a close collaborative effort between Government and the private sector.

The International Finance Centre (IFC) is the government body charged with marketing and promoting the Territory’s financial services sector.

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For more information, contact:
Sherri Ortiz 
Chief Operations Officer (IFC)
468-3701 ext. 2606 
ortizs@bvifsc.vg

www.bvi.vg.gov    From BVI Government Web site.

Thursday, October 11 – Chairman of the Law Reform Commission Mr. Ray Harris announced that a committee has been set up to embark on a law reform exercise relating to the subject of education regulations.

The reform exercise will culminate in a report, including recommendations and draft Education Regulations. Mr. Harris said that these regulations are considered necessary for the Education Act of 2004 to work more effectively.

The Commission is now soliciting submissions from the general public regarding the subject area for consideration by the committee. Submissions should be sent to the Secretary, Law Reform Commission, Attorney General’s Chambers, P.O. Box 242, Road Town, Tortola.

Submissions may also be dropped off in person at the Law Reform Commission office on Flemming Street, Road Town, on the third floor upstairs of Royal Shop, or be made via email to lawreform@bvigovernment.org.

The deadline for submissions is January 31, 2008. “Please ensure that you make your contribution as we work together to reform the laws of the BVI,” Mr. Harris said.

The Law Reform Commission was established in 2002. Its functions are to study and keep under constant review the statutes and other laws of the Virgin Islands with a view to making recommendations for their improvement, modernization, and reform.

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For more information, contact:
Susanna Henighan
Communications Officer
468-3701 ext. 3926
shenighan@gov.vg

From BVI Government Web site  www.bvi.gov.vg

Minister for Education and Culture and First District Representative Hon. Andrew Fahie joins with At-large Representative Hon. Irene Penn O’Neal, officials, students and supporters of the West End After School Programme to capture this special moment.

Tuesday, October 9 – The West End Community After School Programme re-opened its doors yesterday with a brief ceremony held at West End Community Centre.

The programme, which is a partnership between the Ministry of Education and Culture and the West End community, will assist with homework, reading, and mathematics. Students will be also involved in arts and crafts, and discussions will be held about morals and values.

Minister for Education and Culture and Representative of the First District Honourable Andrew Fahie said that the programme was previously offered but later discontinued and that the reopening of the programme speaks to partnership. “Education is everyone’s business and there is no one person or Government that can get it done alone. We need the entire community to do it,” the Minister said.

He added, “We are talking about the future of our country and as HLSCC slogan states ‘Our Future Begins Today’ and we must make sure that we invest in our future.”

Minister Fahie said partnership is about making sure that we get the best out of the young people by ensuring that they stay on the right track and do the right thing.

Territorial-At-large Representative Hon. Irene Penn O’Neal also pledged her support to the programme and spoke about its importance. “This programme is very important because it involves our young people and that is what we are about, empowering our young people so that you can take your rightful places in this community,” she told the young gathering.

Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary Ms. Arlene Smith said that the Ministry’s focus is on developing literacy and numeracy skills as part of their remediation efforts. “We want you ones to be good readers and do your mathematics well in school,” she told the students.

Ms. Smith thanked Ms. Belviana Smith, who is the programme’s resource person, for her excellent service. “We believe that Ms. Smith is providing an excellent service here in this community in terms of helping you with your skills that you need to develop and I hope that you really take advantage of this,” Ms. Smith added.

In response, Ms. Belviana Smith told the gathering that she was happy to be a part of the programme. “I will do my best to help these kids. I will not only focus on academics but I intend to build character as well––morals and values are very important,” she said.

Member of the West End Community Centre Committee Mr. Archibald Christian said that the programme is an important one for any community and most importantly for the first district. “I trust and pray that parents and students take full advantage of this programme,” he said.

The mission of the after school programme is to develop well-rounded students with good moral character and self-confidence. Students, who will be eager to succeed academically, while socially showing consideration for the rights of others in society. The programme will be delivered on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at the West End Community Centre from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The Library Services Department will assist in the management of the programme. The Library currently has similar programmes in Road Town, East End and Virgin Gorda. This initiative began in 2002 with the aim to improve literacy and engage children in activities to develop their critical thinking.

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For more information, contact:
Vicki Samuel-Lettsome
Information Officer II
Ministry of Education and Culture
468-3701 ext. 2043
vsamuel-lettsome@gov.vg

www.bvi.vg.gov    From BVI Government Web site.