It was in mid-January, 2020, that [British] Virgin Islands’ Belonger, Mr Petrus and his family opened their first business establishment on Tortola, Petrus Plaza BVI, which comprises a gas station and touchless carwash and will soon be opening a food court.

When the food court opens, the total number of local employees will reach close to 100.

‘Thanks for investing in our people’ Premier Fahie

Yesterday, February 11, 2020, at the official launch of Petrus Plaza BVI located in Skelton Bay Lot, Fish Bay, Tortola, Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie disclosed that the owners are pursuing additional business ventures and his government will do its part to make those possible.

“I would like to say thank you Mr Petrus for investing in our people, you have more investments coming. You have the cooperation of the government,” Hon Fahie stated, adding that Government will do all it can to speed up the process.

“We will do it in an accountable manner so that you can get it done,” Premier Fahie assured the investor.

‘We have some great things coming’- Mr Petrus

Confirming the disclosure made by Premier Fahie, Mr Petrus, who spent a lot of his boyhood days at relatives on Tortola, said, “We have some great things coming that are going to lead to lots of employment.”

And while declining to state exactly what those ventures are likely to be, Mr Petrus said, “Stay tuned.”

Premier Fahie has been particularly pleased with the Territory’s newest investors, since they have bought into his initiative of providing jobs for locals.

“When Claude [O. Skelton-Cline] told us about the 1000 jobs, we made sure we hired local contractors and we did things with the kind of spirit that zones in with the British Virgin Islands,” Mr Petrus said.

The contractor hired was Quality Construction Limited owned by Mr Roy A. Garraway.

Present at the ceremony also was the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government’s newest legislator, Honourable Alvera Maduro-Caines (R6), who also applauded the Petrus family for the investment in her district.

“I am very glad that you decided to come and open Petrus Plaza BVI here in District 6. I know you took part in our 1000 Jobs in 1000 Days initiative and you have hired thirty persons so far, many of whom are from my district.

“Thank you very much, and looking forward for you hiring more from my district when the business begins to grow,” Hon Maduro-Caines quipped.