At the virtual meeting, Premier Fahie received the credentials of Ms Cliff who updated him on the VI’s current participation in UNDP’s Future Tourism (FUT-Tourism) project, among other things.

According to a press release from the Government of the Virgin Islands on July 19, 2021, the FUT-Tourism project is currently providing local MSMEs with training, to be followed by grants, in order to assist them with repositioning their businesses and recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.

It said Premier Fahie expressed his satisfaction with the VI’s participation in the project and the ongoing engagement between the Premier’s Office and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to ensure its success.

Top row: UNDP Resident Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Ms Valerie Cliff, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Mr Ugo Blanco and Special Envoy of the Premier Mr E. Benito Wheatley. Bottom row: Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) and Assistant Secretary for External Affairs Ms Dwynel Davis at the virtual meeting on July 13, 2021.

UNDP updated on VI’s COVID outbreak

“In addition, Premier Fahie updated Ms Cliff on the current COVID-19 outbreak in the VI and the Government’s response to the pandemic,” the press release stated.

Regarding the recovery of the VI and wider Caribbean, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, Mr Ugo Blanco, highlighted UNDP’s policy recommendations to Caribbean Governments that emphasises the importance of vaccinations.

UNDP prioritises vaccination!

According to Mr Blanco, the six priorities identified by UNDP for COVID recovery in the region are: 1. Vaccination; 2. Vaccination; 3. Vaccination; 4. Economic reactivation; 5. Social protection schemes; and 6. Reopening of schools.

Premier Fahie and Ms Cliff both stressed the importance of disaster preparedness during the 2021 hurricane season and acknowledged the heightened vulnerability of the VI and other societies in the region due to COVID-19.

They also agreed that the VI and UNDP will continue to work together to accelerate the sustainable development of the VI to position the society to achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs) by 2030.

‘Productive discussions’- Premier Fahie

Commenting on the virtual meeting, Premier Fahie said, “I had very productive discussions with newly appointed UNDP Resident Representative Ms Valerie Cliff and Deputy Resident Representative Mr Ugo Blanco. I look forward to working with Ms Cliff on the continued collaboration between the BVI and UNDP on COVID-19 response, MSMEs, sustainable development and the resilience of SIDS.”

Premier Fahie, was joined by his Special Envoy Mr E. Benito Wheatley and Assistant Secretary for External Affairs Ms Dwynel Davis.