The Government of the Virgin Islands has waived the tender process to award marketing company Maitland Consultancy up to $750,000 to “rebuild and promote the brand and reputation” of the territory.
This is according to the latest Cabinet Decisions Statement dated April 13, which said the rebranding of the BVI is “in respect of the four months’ extension granted to the Commission of Inquiry”
“[Cabinet decided] that a new contract be entered into with Maitland Consultancy for a period of five (5) months with effect from 1st January to 31st May, 2022 for an amount, not to exceed seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($750,000.00) for five (5) months,” the statement read.
The statement further said that Cabinet will be seeking the approval of the House of Assembly to have an additional $1,189,786.29 approved to Maitland.
This large sum is said to be for expenses needed to replenish the Marketing and Advertising Subhead and to cover other expenses for the remainder of 2022.
Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew Fahie explained the reason behind needing the consultancy firm and waiving the tender process when he attended a press conference earlier today.