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British Virgin Islands

Quick Facts

Population:	22,643
Land area:	153 square Km
Capital:	Road Town Tortola
Language(s):	English
Local Currency:	US dollar (USD)
Exchange:
UNDP Human Development Rank:	Not ranked
Life Expectancy:
Adult Literacy rate:
Official Government website:	http://www.bvi.gov.vg

Government

Governor - David PEAREY
Deputy Govenor - Dencia PENN-SMITH
Chief Minister - Orlando SMITH
Min. of Communication and Works - J.Alvin CHRISTOPHER
Min. of Education and Culture - Lloyd BLACK
Min. of finance - Ronnie SKELTON
Min. of Natural Resources and Labor - Eileene PARSONS
Permanent Secretary - Clyde LETTSOME

Public Holidays: 1 January, New Years Day; 1 March, H. Lavity Stoutt's Birthday; 8 March, Commonwealth Day; Good Friday; Easter Monday; 31 May, Whit Monday; 12 June, Sovereign's Birthday; 1 July, Territory Day; first Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday in August: Festival Monday, Festival Tuesday, Festival Wednesday; 21 October, St. Ursula's Day; 25 December, Christmas Day; 26 December, Boxing Day

Economic Development

Economic Survey of the Caribbean 2005-2006

This survey examines the macroeconomic performance of selected countries of the Caribbean Development and Cooperation Committee (CDCC) for 2005 and their outlook for 2006.

Throughout the region, countries adopted a conservative monetary stance in order to defend the parity of their currency. Rising interest rates on international capital markets,increasing fiscal deficits in some cases and the effects of rising oil prices on the current account and on inflation prompted the authorities to adopt this policy. The current account position deteriorated for all economies (-9% and –17% of GDP in 2004 and 2005) with the exception of Belize, Saint Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago. The latter was also the only country to record a surplus in its external accounts. The behaviour of the current account responded to the significant increase in the energy bill, higher food prices and the rise in the demand for construction materials.

Social Development

BVI signs UNICEF action plan

The British Virgin Islands government has officially signed the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Country Programme Action Plan 2008-2011. Source: Caribbean Net News

Social Development Report 2005/06

Statistics indicate that the overall poverty conditions of the BVI were relatively adequate, yet poverty among the immigrant population, single parent families and senior citizens is beginning to emerge. As an immediate concern, the government needs an adequate policy framework that focuses on the speicfic areas of poverty, as mentioned above.

In a Social Welfare Policy report,The Development Planning Unit of the government of BVI gives a comprehensive analysis of the social services provided for the less fortunate and senior members of the society. Social services for (Vulnerable groups) Women, Children and Youth, The Elderly and People with disability are particualrly addressed for policy reform by the government.

The first group assessed was the welfare of women, where the association called 'The Women Desk'(establihed by the national women's group) serves as part of the government machinery and works closely with NGO's, churches and other Support groups in order to maintain the development of women in the BVI. Implementation of a integrated approach among NGO's, stakeholders and all public and private institutions are stated by the governemnt as vital to the future development of women.

In approaching the needs for Children and Youth (following the 1990 World Summit for Children), the government of BVI has taken pervasive measures in:

Reduction of infant and under five-child mortality rate.
Reduction of maternal mortality rate by half.
Reduction of severe and moderate malnutrition among under five children.
Universal access to safe drinking water.
Universal access to sanitary means of excreta disposal.
Universal access to basic education and completion of primary education.
Reduction of adult illiteracy rate.
Improved protection of children in especially difficult circumstances.

Strategic policies recommended to help guide a positive direction for the full development of children and youth will be undertaken by the government, a few mentioned were;

Put in place a National Youth Policy, which identify the needs of the youth and strategies on how to achieve their needs. This is in pursuit of optimum development in preparation for fulfillment of their role and function in the national community specifically and in society in general.
Establish a National Youth Council as a focal point of central representation for individuals and groups. This will provide greater participation in decision making and national politics.

Social needs of the Elderly are also addressed by the government. Statistics indicate that the rate of life expectancy and entry of women in the labour force has been increasing, which means the expansion of social services including higher national insurance payments and special recreation should be targeted at an aging population.

With their Social Security insurance program, the government already provides financial security for insured elderly persons. However, social security was only established in 1980, and many elderly still suffer from from lack of benefits. Civil servants working for 25 consecutive years are entitled to recieve a monthly pension.Development strategies were henced designed to improve and review the Pension plan and legal framework to include persons who served but were never covered under the Pension Act.

Finally, the disabled group was shown to be 4.4% of the total population of BVI, moreover, only 41.4% of the active group (15-64 years) of disabled persons participated in formally employed positions. In order to tackle this situation, the BVI government has progames such as "Social Security Invalidity Benefits" designed to financially assist persons who has become permanently incapable of work and has become medically certified as being likely to remain incapacitated.