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October 4, 2007
Economic Development Authority officials to represent territory at annual Interior Department Conference The top two officers of the Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority (EDA) will represent the V.I. Government at the fourth Department of the Interior Business Opportunities in the Islands conference being held this year in Guam. Gov. John P. deJongh Jr. wrote recently to Deputy Interior Secretary for Insular Affairs David Cohen to advise him and Secretary Dick Kempthorne that the territorial government will be represented by EDA Chief Executive Officer Percival Clouden and Assistant EDA Chief Executive Officer for Economic Development Benjamin Rivera. Both Clouden and Rivera will make presentations on the tax and business incentives available in the Virgin Islands. In his letter to Cohen, deJongh thanked conference organizers at the Interior department "for the vision demonstrated for assisting the territories by organizing these conferences as a means by which we, and the rest of our sister territories, can present the significant business development and investment opportunities available in our respective territories to business people from across the nation and the world." deJongh said Thursday that the Economic Development Authority is the territory’s primary vehicle for this type of activity. "Clouden and Rivera have been provided with support material and programs by many of the government’s agencies as regards the various incentives and economic initiatives available in the Virgin Islands. It is particularly important that the EDA has a presence at the conference especially in terms of renewing, building and maintaining relations with the U.S. Interior Department and supporting that agency’s efforts." The government’s attendance at the conference this year is in stark contrast to the more than 25 persons who attended the 2006 conference on behalf of the Virgin Islands government, not counting those who represented the Legislature and the private sector. "The Virgin Islands delegation is significantly reduced this year primarily due to the conference’s focus on business opportunities which exist in the Pacific. I trust both EDA officials will put forward a message that entices potential investors to participate in the varied economic initiatives available in the Virgin Islands," deJongh said. |
