BRITISH
VIRGIN ISLANDS |
| Motto:
|
Vigilate
(Watchful) |
|
| Location: |
The British Virgin Islands (BVI) archipelago is
comprised of approximately sixty (60) islands,
rocks and cays. These islands are located in the
north eastern Caribbean Sea between 18° 20'
North Latitude and 64° 30' West Longitude.
The BVI is situated 60 miles East of Puerto Rico
and North East of the USVI at the Eastern end
of the Greater Antilles. |
| History: |
The territory was originally inhabited by Caribs
and Arawaks. In 1648, the Dutch established the
first permanent European Community. In 1666, British
planters took control of the islands which became
a British colony in 1672. A ministerial system
of government was introduced in 1967. |
| Elections: |
Last election - 2003. Next Election due 2007 |
| Ruling
Party: |
National Democratic Party (NDP) |
| Major
Political Parties: |
National
Democratic Party (NDP),
Virgin Islands Party (VIP). |
| Head
of State: |
His
Excellency Thomas Macan, Governor |
| Head
of Government: |
|
| |
Dr.
the Hon. D. Orlando Smith
Chief Minister
DATE
OF BIRTH: 28 August 1944
MARITAL
STATUS: Married
EDUCATION:
- 1984:
DPH, Diploma in Public Health, UK
- 1984:
MSc in Community Health, UK
- 1974:
FRCS: Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons,
UK
- 1969:
MDDS in Medicine, University of the West Indies,
Jamaica
PROFESSIONAL/POLITICAL
CAREER:
- 1970-1971:
House Officer of Peebles Hospital, BVI
- 1971-1974:
Surgeon, UK
- 1975-1976:
Senior Registrar in surgery at Queen Elizabeth
Hospital, Barbados.
- 1979-1996:
Chief Medical Officer, Peebles Hospital ,
BVI
- 1976-1998:
Surgeon, Peebles Hospital, BVI
- 1977-
Present: Owner/Manager of medical clinic,
PickSmith Medical Services Ltd.
Former President: BVI Medical and Dental Association
Founding Member and former Chairman: National
Drug Advisory Council (NDAC) BVI; Long Time
Member: Rotary Club of Tortola, BVI
- 1999-2003:
Member of the BVI Legislative Council and
the Leader of the Opposition and Chairman
of the Public Accounts Committee
- 2003
(June): Elected Chief Minister
|
| Economic
Summary: |
Since
the early 1980's, the economy of the British
Virgin Islands (BVI) has recorded rapid economic
growth based upon tourism development and the
advent of a strong financial services sector.
Although the economy remains service oriented,
significant growth continues to be seen in the
annual registration of Business Companies with
registration increasing from 32,523 in 1995
to 51,697 in 2002.
The Real Gross Domestic Product has grown from
US$385 million in 1995 to US$629 million in
2002 with an average growth of 7.4% per annum
between 1996 and 2002. GDP per capita income
at market prices was estimated at above $20,000
over the period 1995 to 2002.
During
the period 1995 to 2002, services recorded an
average contribution of over 90% to GDP, over
70% of this contribution being attributed to
Financial Services and Tourism which was the
largest employer of persons in the Territory.
Unlike many of the Caribbean countries, agriculture
does not play a significant role in the economy.
|
| Airport: |
Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport (Beef
Island) |
| Status: |
British Overseas Territory |
| Capital: |
Road Town |
| Area: |
59 sq. miles |
| Population: |
20,254 (2002) |
| Currency |
US
Dollar |
| GDP
Per Capita (at current prices): |
US$807.242
million (2002) |
| Total
Exports: |
US$7,634 million (2002) |
| Total
Imports: |
US$193,707 million (2002) |
| Business
Hours: |
Government:
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday |
| National
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
n.b. Holidays falling during the week/Sunday
will be observed on the Monday.
|
| Highest
National Award: |
BVI Badge of Honour |
| Favourite
Dish: |
Fish
and Fungi |
| Date
of CARICOM Associate: |
2 July 1991 |
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