Junior Minister for Trade and Investment Promotion, Honourable Marlon A. Penn is eager to see greater awareness of local entrepreneurs to promote investment in the Territory, especially inward investment.

Honourable Penn while addressing the staff of the Department of Trade, Investment Promotion and Consumer Affairs, pledged his full support to the work of the department. He also told the staff at the introductory meeting that he recognises the great support the department lends to the economy of the Virgin Islands.

He said, “We have to ensure that our small businesses get the support they require, and the funding and the necessary training to make them grow into medium and large and even international businesses, and that is our objective.”

Honourable Penn explained that one of the areas of key interest is an assessment of the business community in some of the key sectors such as tourism, financial services and construction. He said this will be done so that the Government of the Virgin Islands can identify the business needs, then train and develop BVIslanders to take advantage of them.

The Junior Minister stated that it is necessary to do an analysis of the business environment and improve the processes of the businesses among other areas. He also added that he hopes that with the assistance the Government is giving to the local entrepreneurs, the Virgin Islands business sector will improve from strength to strength, thus making the economy more robust.

Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith OBE, had previously announced on December 16, 2015, that as a Junior Minister, Honourable Penn would be helping to manage and advance critical portfolios under the Premier’s Office. He would report to Premier Smith regarding his assigned responsibilities under the Premier’s ministerial portfolio, and would work closely with the staff and departments under the Premier’s Office.

The Department of Trade, Investment Promotion and Consumer Affairs is responsible for facilitating the development and growth of the BVI business environment, by helping businesses to realise their full potential. This is done through the establishment and management of programmes and networks that provide information, education, training, finance and other assistance in order to foster sustained economic development in the BVI.