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by pltm
(PLTM) - The decision to appoint members to the Virgin Islands Trade Commission Board has been rescinded by the Cabinet of the Virgin Islands.
Cabinet at its meeting on October 12, which was chaired by Governor Mr. John J. Rankin agreed to rescind the decision of as per Cabinet Memo No. 76/2022. A brief of the cabinet meeting also noted that the decision was made that the Premier's Office instruct the Attorney General’s Chambers to draft the appropriate legal instruments in accordance with Cabinet's decision.
The board was approved under embattled Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon. Andrew Fahie, prior to his arrest on cocaine and money laundering charges in the United States.
Michael Fay QC was appointed Chairman of the Board.
Along with Fay, the names of the appointees, as approved by Cabinet included Melissa Farara, Hakim Creque, Wendell Gaskin, Lavina Liburd, the Trade Commissioner as Ex-officio, Deputy Chairman and Ms. Sasha Hodge.
Fahie had defended the appointments, stating that the selection of the persons was done through an independent process. He had stated that there was no involvement in the selection process by any elected official. There was no hand-picking by any elected official.
"Persons would recall that advertisements were published inviting persons interested in serving to apply. The shortlisting was done by a committee in accordance with the criteria stipulated in the Act, and no elected official was involved in this process. Additionally, the Governor had his input at the appropriate stage in Cabinet, for which we thank him. So, these appointments are being made with full transparency, adherence to Good Governance and adherence to the Act," Fahie had stated at a press conference held on March 25.
A Commission of Inquiry (CoI) set up by the United Kingdom had flagged the process that led to the appointments of members of various boards, including the decision to terminate all appointments shortly after the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) came to office in 2019. Since then, the Government of National Unity (GNU) has announced a plan to make appointments to boards.
The Virgin Islands Trade Commission Act was passed in the House of Assembly on June 9, 2020.
The Commission is set up to advise the Minister responsible for Trade on all matters relating to trade, business, investment, fair competition and consumer affairs, including the most suitable implementation mechanisms for stimulating and promoting the development of business and investment activities and opportunities, nationally and internationally.
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