A number of local contractors have found it difficult to secure contracts for major projects in the BVI. Local contractors on many occasions have faced challenges that seem to deprive them of the opportunity to even be considered for projects despite their capabilities to deliver quality work.
During a live press conference, Premier of the Virgin Islands, Hon. Andrew Fahie, revealed that Cabinet approved an emergency procurement regime which will assist the government to overcome obstacles that will then allow them to engage local contractors, while adhering to international standards.
Premier Fahie said “Your Government has been working over the past few weeks to develop a procurement regime that would allow greater participation by local contractors and service providers, while at the same time adhering to the principles of international best practice and assuring quality, value for money, transparency and accountability.”
The emergency procurement policy was designed by the Ministry of Finance and partnering agencies. This emergency policy was specifically approved for times of emergency, such as natural disasters, catastrophic events and pandemics.
Since the completion of the policy the government has entered into discussions with international lending agencies. The government will need approval to change conditions attached to those funds, to allow local qualified contractors to benefit from these opportunities.
“By doing this we would be allowing the monies to stay in the Territory and circulate numerous times to positively contribute to the national flow of income.” Premier Fahie
One important feature of the new emergency procurement policy is that it will allow for, in some cases, the subdivision of larger projects into smaller packages.
Premier Fahie encourages contractors to get prepared with all their necessary paperwork because once all the steps are finished the government will be ready to commence projects.
Premier Fahie also said “So, our contractors should begin preparing themselves and their workers immediately. Get yourselves ready, especially with all your needed paperwork, because once all the legal steps are finished with this new policy, we want to hit the ground running, and with momentum.”
Premier expressed optimism and expressed that he believes that this process will open many doors of opportunities for all our contractors in the BVI amidst COVID-19 era.