Sustainable Development for
Small Island Developing States
Continued/...

6. PLANS, POLICIES, PROGRAMMES AND PROJECTS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

6.1 Introduction

      Sustainable development based on land and water oriented tourism coupled with one of the fastest growing regional economics dictate that a strategic vision followed by an integrated approach are needed to formulate plans, policies, programmes and projects.

      In the context of the BVI, our development strategies will have to be guided by the principles integrated development, sustainable development, community participation and democratisation. Consistent with the central feature in the concept of integrated development, BVI will seek, in its strategies, to emphasis or highlight the complementarity between the enhancement of social equity, the expansion of productive employment, the alleviation of poverty, the sustainable use of our natural resources and the integration of population in the development process. GBVI is committed to the concept of maximisation of the complementary aspects and minimisation of the conflict in aspects. Our strategy will seek to highlight creative ways of dealing with conflicts in order to resolve constraints and obtain our development objectives.

     While is accepted that the fullness of the Sustainable Development Planning concept is of recent tenure, the BVI programmes for national development have always contained the concepts of sustainable development. As evidenced form the following sections, prudent management of a natural asset base has always been a priority for the BVI. Tourism, our most dynamic an vibrant industry, dictate that our environmental management policies focused on the sustainability of the use of our natural asset base.

     Our national programmes for sustainable development arising out of a strategic vision seek to incorporate integration, environmental sustainability, human resources development and the enhancement of social integration. Programmes proposed development and the enhancement of social integration. Programmes proposed immediately below seek to respond to problems and constraints identified with respect to our socio-economic development situation and our environment:

1. the further institutionalization of the concept of integrated development;
   

2. development of an integrated database for macro development planning;
   

3. formulation of a National Plan for Management of the Environment; 
   

4. strengthening institutions involved in the development human resources for sustainable development; and
   

5. development of human resources for sustainable development. 

VI.2 National Integrated Development Planning Project


      With assistance from UNCHS and UNDP, GBVI seeks to integrate the processes generally related to social, economic, environmental and population planning into a single national plan designed to achieve these objectives simultaneously rather than in a traditionally sequential manner. The project will provide technical assistance in the form of background and situational analysis, policy and strategy development, data and information bases development, education and awareness, plan implementation and post implementation analysis.

      In an effort to achieve balanced and sustainable growth the project seeks to review overall and sectoral development strategies as part of a programme for diversification into other productive areas, and to reduce the country's heavy dependence on tourism.

      The sustainability of growth and development is of critical concern to GBVI and it is this dimension that will be reflected increasingly in the formulation of its policies and strategies for growth and development. In view of the country's narrow productive base and the susceptibility of the tourism industry to external developments the government is determined to utilise the territory's human and natural resources in a rational and efficient manner. Its strategy therefore is to initiate development planning as a pragmatic framework for achieving purposeful goals through harmonised policies. The focus of this approach will be on the formulation of a medium-term development plan that treats economic, social, spatial and environmental elements in an integrated manner.

      Integrated development planning in the BVI must be seen against the background of the current progress in the social and economic sectors, particularly tourism. And, very critically within the context of a fragile environment and a precariously limited resource base. With the economy expanding, complex population growth factors, and educational and health standards improving, the need to sustain the natural beauty and serenity of the territory, and to utilise its natural resources of land, water and air in an efficient manner have become a major priority. The aim therefore is to integrate economic, population, social and environmental objectives in a simultaneous fashion to obtain a more sectorally balanced and sustainable development pattern.

1. By the end of the project there will be adequate capacity for the design and implementation of policies and strategies to meet the countries development needs
   

2. Decision makers and planning staff will have a conceptual framework within which pertinent and effective policies for sustainable development can be formulated.
   

3. A planning mechanism for the co-ordination and integration of national, sectoral and local level development initiatives will have been provided.
   

4. Spatial planning will be fully integrated into the overall planning process and thus based on the understanding of the dynamics of development.

VI.3 Existing/Ongoing Programmes and Projects for Sustainable Development

      Many programmes and projects have been undertaken over the past decade, within this report it is impossible to highlight them all, so the major ones have been selected. 

VI.3.1 Reforestation

      Spearheaded by the National Parks Trust and assisted by other departments and the public, the BVI has a target to plant 50,000 trees by the year 2000. Already the BVI is well on the way to achieving that target. Activities such as the annual Arbour Day help to spread the message about the need to plant trees particularly among the youth. Various NGOs assist with these activities throughout the year with tree planting and beautification projects. However, it has been found that one of the major problems is not with the planting, but rather with the follow-up care especially since stray livestock eat the seedlings. Reforestation activities are enhanced by the Department of Agriculture's fruit tree project, and the soon to be created Forestry Division should further aid this programme.

VI.3.2 Declaration of Parks and Protected Areas

      As was discussed in Section 2.3.3, a System Plan was prepared and approved by Government in 1986. The BVI still has a long way to go to implement this System Plan and declare the larger park areas. However, several new smaller parks have been declared within the past ten years, these have included :

• Mount Healthy Windmill, 
  

• Prickly Pear Island, 
  

• The Baths, Virgin Gorda, 
  

• Diamond Cay, Jost Van Dyke.

      The approach with the implementation of the System Plan is to prepare detailed management plans prior to the declarations, so that the BVI does not have a series of "paper parks". At present detailed plans are being prepared for the North Sound area, technical assistance is being provided by the Caribbean Conservation Association (CCA) and the Caribbean Natural Areas Resources Institute (CANARI); and for Anegada where plans are being prepared with the assistance of the Conservation Agency and possibly the World Wide Fund (US), for a park where the habitat and remaining population of endemic Anegada Rock Iguanas may be conserved. 

      It is hoped that full implementation of the System Plan within the decade of the 90's will provide for habitat conservation critical for the maintenance and enhancement of biodiversity within the BVI and Wider Caribbean.


VI.3.3 Management of Mangrove Resources

 

      As was described in Section 2.3.2, mangrove resources in the BVI are under increasing threat from development pressures. The Conservation and Fisheries Department, with assistance from the OECS have prepared a long term programme for the management of mangrove resources.

      This involved mapping and categorizing all mangrove areas. Ecological and socio-economic factors were used to prioritise areas and list them in three management categories : critical, moderately critical, not critical. The report and the categorization were accepted by Executive Council who authorized the preparation of management plans. The programme is summarised in Table 12. Management plans are at present being prepared on an individual basis for each mangrove area. It is anticipated that the preparation and implementation of management plans will be achieved over the next five years.

VI.3.4 Preparation and Implementation of a Plan to Revitalise Agriculture

      In an attempt to rekindle the interest of the farmers and that of the general public in farming, a five year plan has been prepared. This plan addresses the basic constraints for development, such as water shortage, inaccessible lands, inadequate marketing arrangements. The plan also allows for the training of farmers in improved management and production practices.


The programme detailed in the plan has four main objectives :

• to develop basic infrastructure, including soil and water conservation structures; 
  

• to create a nucleus of agricultural activity at Paraquita Bay Government Farm by providing land to interested farmers; 
  

• to establish a minimum of 100 acres of fruit tree orchards and promote backyard gardening; 
  

• to provide institutional support, staff training, agricultural census, land use maps.

         It is hoped that this programme, which is into its second year, will serve to revitalise the agricultural sector, further diversify the economy, slow down the deforestation trend, promote watershed and soil conservation, as well as ensure sustainable use of natural resources.

VI.3.5 Introduction of Environmental Impact Assessments

       For several years planning and environmental agencies have seen the need to introduce Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) into development planning. However, as yet there is no legislation making this mandatory, although both the proposed coastal legislation and new planning legislation have made provisions for EIAs. However, since the mid 1980's the Town & Country Planning Department has been requesting EIAs for major developments and usually the applicants have complied. However, the standard of the EIAs is often inadequate and many developers have complained about the extra cost involved.

      One of the major problems has been that to do an EIA a developer must carry out a considerable amount of basic inventory work such as mapping coral reefs etc. which obviously raises the cost of the work. The Conservation and Fisheries Department are trying to address this problem by producing a detailed coastal resource inventory which would be available to Government and the private sector, see Section 3.3.6.

      However, EIA is slowly being introduced into development planning, albeit in a somewhat modified form. This process will be helped by the new legislation.


VI.3.6 Preparation of a Coastal Resources Inventory


      As part of a CIDA funded regional project aerial surveys were made of the BVI in 1991, about 80% coverage was achieved. The photographs will be available in colour as well as black and white. The Conservation & Fisheries Department have requested technical assistance from the Overseas Development Administration (ODA) to use the aerial photographs combined with field surveys to prepare an atlas of coastal resources at a scale of 1:10,000. This coastal inventory will show coastal development, marinas, jetties, beaches, dunes, mangroves, sea grass beds and coral reefs and will cover the entire BVI. This will provide an invaluable data base of coastal resources and will assist in the future management and planning of the coastal zone.


      One of the major problems experienced to date has been the ad hoc nature of coastal developments from moorings to marinas. Once the Coastal Resources Inventory & Atlas is in place (by 1993), it is planned that the project can proceed to an additional phase which would be the preparation of a Coastal Management Plan.


VI.3.7 Preparation of a Development Plan


      As was detailed in Section 2.3.1, the absence of an approved Territory wide development plan for the BVI has meant that there is little control over the type or distribution of development. However, in 1992 a programme will start to strengthen the Town & Country Planning Department and to prepare a National Sectoral Plan for the BVI. This will concentrate on different sectors of the economy as they relate to land use. The programme is being funded by the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (UNCHS) who will provide a Senior Planner/Project Manager for a two year period as well as short term specialist consultants. 


VI.3.8 Establishment of Environmental Monitoring Programmes


      With the establishment of the Conservation & Fisheries Department in 1990, quantitative monitoring of several environmental systems has been put in place. So far the data base is short term (1 - 5 years), however, this has already enabled some actions to be taken in the management of some systems.


A. Beach Changes : Some 42 beach sites throughout the BVI are surveyed every three months, this programme was started in 1989. The data are computed to determine seasonal and annual changes and technical reports are produced and circulated to other Government departments on a regular basis.


B. Bacterial Water Quality : Water sampling is carried out in some twelve areas in Tortola and Virgin Gorda on a monthly basis, and the samples are analysed for total and faecal coliform. This programme was established with assistance from the Caribbean Environmental Health Institute (CEHI). The programme is carried out jointly by the Water & Sewage Department and the Conservation & Fisheries Department. The areas include open beach sites and marinas. Three years data exist. Annual technical reports are produced and where specific pollution problems have been identified efforts are being made to seek solutions on a site specific basis.


C. Turtle Surveys : Surveys of nesting beaches for leatherback turtles have been conducted since 1987, five years data exist. Assistance has been obtained from the World Wide Fund for Nature (UK) for aerial surveys. Recently, in 1990, surveys of nesting beaches for green and hawksbill turtles were started with the assistance of resident volunteers. Again annual technical reports are produced and circulated. The data are being used to try and modify the present turtles legislation. 


D. Coral Reef Surveys : Quantitative surveys of coral reefs were started in 1991 using photo stations, chain transepts and fish census. Four sites have been established, these are monitored every six months and it is planned to establish additional sites. Assistance was received from the US National Park Service (NPS) in St. John and the Caribbean Environmental Health Institute (CEHI). The data are already being used to have certain areas declared "no anchoring" areas.


E. Mangrove Surveys : Monitoring of mangrove forest growth was started at four sites in Tortola in 1991. This will be repeated annually and more sites added. Other methods based on productivity and nutrients cannot be employed at present because of a lack of equipment.


      Thus an extensive programme of environmental monitoring has been set up which should provide a valuable data record of the changes taking place in these natural systems. However, the monitoring is very labour intensive and further expansion is impeded by a shortage of staff and the necessary equipment and laboratories. Nevertheless environmental monitoring is seen as an essential component of the sustainable management of environmental resources and will continue on a long term basis.

VI.3.9 Establishment of a Geographical Information System

       In order to improve the management and analysis of data within the physical and environmental planning process a geographical information system (GIS) is being established using Arcinfo software. This project is spearheaded by the Town & Country Planning and Survey Departments and will be tested on a pilot project basis for the Greater Road Town Area before being extended to the whole territory.


VI.3.10 Improved Disposal of Solid Waste


      Because of the small land area in the BVI, the disposal of solid waste in landfills is becoming an increasingly serious problem. The Government has decided to start a programme of incineration to try and solve this problem. An incinerator is located at Pockwood Pond in Tortola and has the capacity to burn all garbage or solid waste generated countrywide.

      Recently a local business has started aluminium recycling, obviously the volumes will be very small based on the size of the population, nevertheless the concept of recycling and reusing material is important even at the small scale of the BVI. 


VI.3.11 Environmental Awareness and Education


      The Government has embarked on an extensive programme of public environmental education aimed at all levels : primary and secondary schools, and the community. This has been spearheaded by several Government organizations and NGO's and is seen as a major goal since every person in the BVI must become involved in the sustainable development process.

      The Conservation and Fisheries Department together with the Department of Education have concentrated on getting environmental subjects into the school curriculum. To date the emphasis has been at the primary school level focusing on areas such as coral reefs, beaches, mangroves and turtles as well as the coastal ecosystem. Since the establishment of this primary school programme, the emphasis has now shifted to the secondary school level. The focus is on the entire curriculum such that environment is not just covered as a science subject, but can become an integral part of all subjects including English, art, social science, mathematics etc.

      The Public Health Department also has an extensive education programme in the schools, covering areas such as the use and abuse of drugs, public health and hygiene, environmental health, AIDS and communicable diseases.

      The school programme is enhanced with local and regional competitions which may be wholly or partly sponsored by private businesses. One of the objectives behind the school programme is that the children will go home and educate their parents.

      The NGOs are also involved in the education programme, the National Parks Trust has recently started a branch for children called the Young Friends of the Trust. Efforts are also being made to get other groups such as guides and scouts involved in environmental activities through environmental competitions.

      The focus has not only been at the young people, but also at the community. This has included competitions such as the Best Kept Community Contest, national activities for Earth Day and World Environment Day, workshops and exhibitions which are all focused at the public. The various Government agencies are also working through community groups, the churches and special interest groups such as the Fishermen's' Association, to get the message across.

      1991 was the 30th Anniversary of the National Parks Trust and throughout the year the work of the Trust was highlighted, with visits to the land and marine parks by school children, exhibitions, a gala dinner, and a regional symposium on Public and Private Cooperation in National Parks.

      An effort has also been made to inform the public about new environmental legislation and to obtain their opinions, as was done with the extensive public meetings for the Coast Conservation and Management Bill and the new Planning Legislation.

      There are two local newspapers in the BVI which are published once a week as well as a local radio station. Local and regional TV programmes are just starting to be shown with two hours coverage every week. It is planned that this should increase in the future.

      In order to better serve the interests of woman, a Womens' Desk has recently been established within the Ministry of Health, Education & Welfare. 

      Despite the many activities, the public's understanding of environmental issues is still low. This is perhaps because the awareness programme is still fairly new, since most of the activity has commenced in the last four years. Thus the programmes must continue and must be expanded and improved for the foreseeable future.


VI.4 Planned Programmes for Sustainable Development

VI.4.1 Programme to the Further Institutionalization of the Concept of Integrated Development Planning


Rationale

      Taking into account the present stage of development, the inventory of natural assets, the level of human resources development (capital) and the political objectives of democratisation, BVI is convinced and committed to the notion of Sustainable Development achieved through the implementation of an Integrated Development Plan formulated via a Strategic Visioning process. Integrated Development is the avenue whereby BVI can achieve simultaneously the objectives of economic growth and development, enhanced social integration, reduction and alleviation of poverty, expansion of productive employment and prudent management of our environment. Integrated Development must be the principles upon which our country is taken forward into the next stage of development.

Objectives

1. to further establish and maintain a national process of integrated development planning in which economic, social, population and environmental strategies are developed as objectives of each other to be achieved simultaneously.
   

2. to establish or strengthen intergovernational, private sector and NGO institutions or organisations for the purposes of facilitating an integrated framework for development planning.

Activities

1. at the national level

1. formalize the inter-ministry committee of ministers and officials 
   established to monitor and guide the national development process
   

2. establish a regulatory framework to integrate national, regional and local areas economic planning activities with physical, population and social plans.
   

3. provide trainable personnel to facilitate the development of a cadre of 
   professionals to ensure the implementation of sustainable development.

2. at the international level

1. provide both technical and financial assistance to implement the 
   programme at the national level.

VI.4.2 Programme for Development of an Integrated Database for Macro-Planning

Rationale

      Integrated development planning for sustainable development cannot be meaningfully realised in the absence of an information system containing database on economic, social, environmental and population particulars. This integrated database will provide indicators of use of natural resources, population dynamics, economic performance and social development giving decision-makers an firm basis upon which to allocate resources and thus better management of our natural development.

Objectives

1. to establish databases on social, economic, environmental population activities including databases on natural resources uses, carrying capacities, standard national accounts, social integration and development indicators that would allow integrated access on a timely basis.
   

2. to explore and utilise techniques and technologies which will allow decision- makers to use and manage existing data in a more efficient and rational manner.

Activities

1. at the national level

1. determine the extent of existing databases outlined in objective (1) and analyse the local capability to contribute to same.
   

2. commit the resources both human and financial necessary as 
   counterpart shares to attract international assistance.
   

3. develop a national statistics programme with targets, goals and objectives for integrated databases development.

2. at the international level

1. provide the necessary financial and technical assistance in partial support of the national activities.

VI.4.3 National Plan for Management of the Environment

Rationale

      The BVI is essentially a country of more marine than land area and both of these types natural assets are employed extensively in the production of tourism services, the capture of marine products for food, the production of agricultural products, and the excavation of land for housing and developments and transport infrastructure. Land area is very limited and the terrain is a complicating factor which makes it imperative that BVI institute management capability to ensure a co-ordinated and sustainable approach. The recognition of the interdependence between ecological, economic and social components within the context of our national development dictates that we must undertake a sustainable approach.

Objectives

1. development of an integrated and co-ordinated plan for management of the land, marine and air environments of the BVI:
   

2. strengthening of the legal framework for the implementation of rational policies related to the environment; and
   

3. further establishment of the administrative framework for management of the environment.

Activities

1. at the national level:

1. passage pending and draft legislation on statistics, economic and physical planning, conservation and fisheries;
   

2. provision of technical and support personnel for implementation of the plan; and
   

3. integration of the technical level framework for sustainable development.

2. at the international level

1. the provision of technical support and human resources development to assist with the implementation of activities on the national level.

VI.4.4 Strengthening of Institutions involved in the Development of Human Resources for Sustainable Development 

Rationale

Sustainable development requires the sustainable employment of natural assets, a continuously supply of trained and trainable people and training institutions with the continuing capability to develop human capital. If the BVI is to develop on a sustainable basis in tourism and financial services, production patterns, use of the environment, international competitiveness and integration are most critical to this process.

Our institutions, at all levels both private and public, which are charged with the responsibility of education and training of the school-age population and the workforce, must be able to deliver personnel with the relevant skills to ensure our international competitiveness.

Objectives

1. strengthen the primary, secondary and tertiary level institutions in order that they may deliver the skills necessary for sustainable development.
   

2. expand tertiary level institutions into areas related to human resources for sustainable development.

Activities

1. at the national level

1. continued implementation of the 1990 Education Plan
   

2. development of Hamilton Lavity Stoutt Community Centre (HLSCC) according to its master plan
   

3. review the curricula of institutions and ensure that sustainable development elements are included

2. at the international level 

1. provision of technical and capital assistance to implement programmes and infrastructure already designed.

VI.5 National Integrated Development Plan (NIDP), 1995 - 1999


      This is the government's first attempt in 20 years at developing a National Development Plan. The previous plan was created in the early 1970s. One of the more salient features of this plan is the attempt at adopting an integrated approach. The Plan will comprise of eight basic components: fiscal policies and strategies; economic sectoral policies and strategies; macroeconomic policies and strategies; population strategies and policies; physical/spatial policies and strategies; environmental policies and strategies; social policies and strategies; human resources development strategies. The view being adopted is that all these components are interrelated and attempts will be made to create linkages among the different programmes and projects as well as to harmonize the related social, economic and population policies.

      Among the strategies that will be adopted, include the conduct of intersectoral meetings to seek co-operation, exchange information, prioritise programmes, rationalize allocation of funds and ensure realistic target setting.

      The main constraints or problems encountered in the process of incorporating demographic data in development planning are centred around the absence of a strong population statistics database, the lack of strong political action in socially and politically sensitive situations, little or no capacity in social development planning and a pronounced weakness on the social side in central planning. However, strong and concrete measures were made in Development Planning to improve data collection, statistical analysis and demographic analysis.

The Population Component

      It is to be noted that the population factor has been given equal weight among the other social and economic programmes in the National Integrated Development plan. This is an indication of the government's acknowledgement of the close interrelations between population and development. Indeed, in recognition of the important role of population in the social and economic dynamics of the country, highest priority is now being placed on the integration of population issues in the planning process.

      The population of the BVI has been growing at a rate of about 4 to 5 percent per annum, since 1980, with the pace accelerating in the more recent years. Migration has emerged as the most significant factor in the population equation and is responsible for most of the 50 percent growth experienced during the decade of the eighties. More than half of the population living in the country consist of immigrants who also account for approximately 80 percent of the population growth between 1980 and 1991. The social and economic consequences, especially in terms of the additional demands being placed on the social services, require careful planning not only to accommodate the growing population but also to develop appropriate intervention policies to ensure that the population changes are kept in line with the government's ability to provide for its basic needs as well as maintain an adequate standard of living.

       Another important population-related issue that is closely linked to the development process concerns the impending mismatch between the demand for and supply of skills, which is expected to materialize within the very near future. Some of the factors contributing to this situation include (a) the growing numbers in the youth population aged 15 - 29 (as a consequence of the past high fertility years and the population momentum impact) (b) the resultant increases in the numbers graduating from high school and community colleges and (c) the concomitant rise in the numbers returning from study programmes abroad which were financed by government (over 100 are estimated to return in 1993).

      Of equal importance are the negative social consequences that could occur as a result of the disillusionment of the youth and the rise in the numbers unemployed as well as under employed. The development of a manpower planning system is underway to help to defuse the potentially explosive nature of this situation through the identification of areas of demand and supply, the development of employment generation and requisite training programmes to fill the gaps, and the provision of adequate career guidance and counselling services to tailor the aspirations of the youth to the real needs of the economy.


VI.6 The Public Sector Investment Programme, 1995 - 1999


      The Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP) for the period 1993 - 1996 proposes capital expenditure totalling $109.1 million (m). The greatest proportion of funds is expected to be spent during 1994 - 1995 when total expenditure of $35.4m and $36.7m, respectively, is scheduled. This primarily reflects the implementation of two large loan-funded projects: the Road Improvement and Maintenance Project (RIMP) for US $6.3m, and US $14m for the Airport Terminal. In addition, the British Government is providing a grant for the construction of a $4.2 m prison to begin in 1994 while GBVI is projected to raise its own spending, particularly in the areas of Health, Education and Community Affairs.

        By sectors, investment in economic infrastructure is programmed to account for 52.9% of the total proposed PSIP for 1993 - 1996, compared with 26.5% for social services, 15.3% for general public services and 5.3% for economic services. This distribution reflects the substantial investments being made in supportive economic infrastructure such as transport, energy and water as well as GBVI's plans to invest $ 13.6 in the education sector, the majority of which (80.9%) will be funded from domestic sources. Investment outlays for the education sector includes a senior high school, the College Library, additional classroom to both primary and secondary school and the purchase of educational equipment.

      Financing for the proposed PSIP is expected to come primarily from external sources. Loans and grants are programmed to account for 48% and 17.4% of total financing, respectively, with domestic sources making up the remaining 34.6%. 

      The objectives of the NIDP represent short-term aspirations of Government for the long term goals of development. Sectoral objectives and strategies are currently being assessed and a draft plan is being prepared. The medium-term development goals and objectives in relation to the economic management of the country are summarized as follows:

1. broadening and diversifying the economic base;
   

2. maximising the revenue potential of the territory;
   

3. improving and enhancing the quality of services products offered from within of from the British Virgin Islands (BVI);
   

4. building and/or facilitating the establishment of the basic economic 
   foundation and physical infrastructure necessary for the attainment of sustainable growth; and 
   

5. raising the standard of living with a more equitable distribution of economic gains, and enhancing belonger's skills.

       GBVI's strategy is principally to play a facilitating role by providing basic infrastructure and a conducive economic environment. The main impetus for economic growth is expected to come from private sector activities, and in particular, from the key tourism and offshore sectors which dominate the BVI's economy. Development of air transport facilities, which is included in the 1993 - 1996 PSIP, is directly linked with GBVI's aim of expanding the vital tourism sector and is intended to improve visitor access to the BVI from Europe and, in particular from the main North American market.

       GBVI recognises that for such a strategy to succeed, there needs to be a significant expansion in the BVI's existing tourism capacity in order to generate a large enough thorough flow of at the airport to make the project viable. Consequently, efforts are being pursued concurrently to encourage investment in new hotels and promote the BVI as a tourist destination both in Europe and North America. 

      A second major supporting development strategy that GBVI is pursuing is that of human resources development. This is reflected in the significant amount of investment programmed for education, health and public administration in the 1993 - 1996 PSIP. Such activities are aimed at supporting growth of the tourism and offshore financial services sectors by providing trained and skilled labour. They are also intended to strengthen the civil service, developing an efficient and trained public administration able to adapt and react quickly to the changing of the international environment and so help sustain BVI's main economic activities. A key development in this respect is the recent formation of the Financial Services Directorate which overseas and promotes the development of the financial services. 

      The proposed PSIP reveals a heavy concentration on economic infrastructure projects. Of the total $109.1 in scheduled expenditure for 1993-1996, economic infrastructure has been allocated 52.9%, compared with 26.5% for social services, 15.3% of general public services and 5.3% for economic services.

      At 33.3%, the transport and communication sector accounts for the largest single component of total planned PSIP expenditure. Improvements in this sector are seen as essential in order to provide supporting infrastructure for private sector activities, particularly in the tourism industry. Road projects and the airport expansion scheme dominate planned expenditure in the sector. 

       The 1993-1996 PSIP provides for $28.9m in funds for social services, equivalent to 26.5% of total expenditure. The majority of this expenditure concerns investments in the education sector which account for 12.4% of the total PSIP. The construction of the Community College is now almost complete, but a further $3.1m is required to build the College Library. Further investment is also proposed in Primary School infrastructure, while the ongoing High School projects account for another $5m. Significant expenditure on health and community affairs, including $3.5m for the construction of a Psychiatric Wing and Mortuary at the Peebles Hospital, is also envisaged.

      In keeping with GBVI's intention to strengthen its own administrative capacity, proposed investments of $16.7m in the area of public administration account of the second largest component of total expenditure after the transport and communications sector. Much of this expenditure is associates with projects intended to enhance the territory's ability to uphold law and order, including the construction of a new prison. During the PSIP period, another $6m is also expected to be spent on the Central Administration complex, $5m in 1993 and $1m in 1994. 

Continued/...  

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