CHARLOTTE AMALIE, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands – August 8, 2013 - The V.I. Economic Development Commission (EDC), a division of the V.I. Economic Development Authority (VIEDA), will be hosting the “Virgin Islands Economic Development Commission Beneficiary Summit 2013” that will be of interest to these beneficiaries as well as representatives of various organizations and government agencies who assist in supporting the Territory's economic initiatives and development. The summit will be held on August 13 at Divi Carina Bay Resort on St. Croix, and on August 15 at Frenchman's Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort on St. Thomas from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on both dates, according to VIEDA's Chief Executive Officer Percival E. Clouden.
This EDC Beneficiary Summit is an important forum for beneficiaries and other government agencies to gather and exchange information relevant to the EDC Program. The VIEDA is encouraging EDC beneficiaries to attend this summit which will focus on meaningful coverage on current trends and updates on policies that impact the EDC Program.
“With the theme of ‘Maintaining Ideal Conditions for Growth’, this summit intends to highlight the EDC Program’s potential growth, and how we can assist in supporting a sustainable and profitable economy through our EDC program, despite the complex issues facing the Territory,” said Clouden.
Welcoming and opening remarks will be provided by VIEDA's CEO Percival E. Clouden and Commissioner of Labor and VIEDA Board Chairman Albert Bryan, Jr. The keynote speaker is the Honorable John P. deJongh, Jr., Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Other officials on the program include the Honorable Gregory R. Francis, Lt. Governor and the Honorable Shawn-Michael Malone, President of the 30th Legislature of the USVI.
“I'm excited about beginning our summit with the end in mind - maintaining a high-performing EDC program with uncompromised integrity, through collaboration with our partners,” said EDC Director of Compliance Ms. Stephanie J. Berry.
The keynote speaker and other officials will be joined by invited speakers from the V.I. Economic Development Authority with its respective divisions such as the Economic Development Commission and the Small Business Development Agency. Other speakers will include representatives from the V.I. Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs, V.I. Bureau of Internal Revenue, U.S. Customs Service, Divisions of the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, the University of the Virgin Islands, the V.I. Department of Labor and the Board of Education.
The summit will also include EDC Beneficiary representatives along with representatives from various industry sectors that assist EDC beneficiaries to grow and succeed.
The closing plenary will be led by VIEDA's Assistant Chief Executive Officer/Chief Operating Officer Jennifer Nugent-Hill.
For more information, contact EDC Director of Compliance Ms. Stephanie J. Berry at 340.773.6499.
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