Sustainable Development vs Sustainable Growth The Beef Island Model Presented by Bertrand Lettsome Chief Conservation & Fisheries Officer.

Sustainable Development vs Sustainable Growth

The Beef Island Model

Presented by

Bertrand LettsomeChief Conservation & Fisheries Officer

British Virgin Islands

Historically

• People of African Descent

• Brought Here as Human Cargo

• West Indian Anomaly (yes we are different!)

• Many Slavery Trappings & Techniques Failed in Tortola

• Tortolian Slaves had Unmatched Level of Freedom & Entrepreneurship

• Anomalous Status Rooted in History of Resource Poor

Presently

• Still a British Overseas Territory

• U.S. Dollar is Official Currency

• Strong Historical & Cultural Ties to USVI

British Virgin Islands - Historical Statistics

Whites Year Amt.1717 – 1591774 – 1,2001805 – 13001853 – 5001890 – 21930 – 11

PopulationBlacks

Year Amt.1717 – 1761720 – 1,5091756 – 6,1211774 – 1,774

Land Ownership (acres)

1964 1996

Crown Lands 15,121 14,719 Virgin Island Nationals 16,827 17,557

Expatriate 5,660 5,335

Sustainable Development Foreign Investment - SDFI

“It is very important that this present generation, becomes knowledgeable of our history and understand why it is

paramount today that we follow the wisdom of the elders and not sell the land that was literally purchased with the blood of

our ancestors.”

Beef Island Proposed 668

Acre Golf Course, Five Star Hotel, &

Marina Development

General Concept• Foreign Investor Comes to BVI

• Seeks Approval

• Applications Submitted

• Typically Conditions Placed on

Land Holding & Development Plan

• Environmental, Financial Expenditure,

& Development Controls

Simple Terms• Foreign Developer Invests in BVI

• Jobs Created

• Government makes Money with Associated Fees

• Visitors Bring Capital

• Funds are Circulated into Economy

Sustainable Development Foreign Investment - SDFI

Assumptions• Theoretically Improves Quality of Life

• Promotes Economic Activity via

Foreign

Investment

• Positive Overall Benefits for BVI

Critical Issues

• Speculation, Alienation, &

Marginalization

• Loss of Traditional Uses

• Culture of Dependency

• Erosion of Traditional Values

• Breakdown of Community

• Policies Externally Driven

Cane Garden Bay 1982

Sustainable Development Foreign Investment - SDFI

Critical Issues (cont.)

• Potential for Abuse

• Rich & Powerful can Significantly

Influence Government Policy

• Some Investors Believe Entire Island

State is their Fiefdom

• Islanders are Money Hungry &

Corrupt

• SIDS Perceived as Begging for

Foreign

Investment

• State not Seen as Parnter

• Human & Natural Resources (and

destruction thereof) not Weighed,

Factored, or Considered

Mt. Healthy Windmill

Sustainable Growth National Investment Strategy - SGNIS

Propose New Model Based on:

Human Resources & a National Investment Strategy

“The history, growth, and maturity of

the people of the Virgin Islands provide

the justification for the SGNIS model”

Components

• Cooperation

• Working Together

• Business Partnerships

• Fishing, Farming, Merchant

Shipping Traditional Pillars of

Economy

• Cooperative Ventures

• Sustainable Growth Based on

Development of Our Human

Resources

Sustainable Growth National Investment Strategy - SGNIS

Sustainable Growth National Investment Strategy - SGNIS

Strategy & Concepts = a tiered approach

1. Implementation of National Parks & Protected Areas Systems Plan

2. Establishment of a National Investment Club/National Development

Corp.

3. Development of Private Sector Investment Clubs, Cooperatives,

Credit Unions, and Business Partnerships

4. Creation of the Virgin Islands Stock Exchange

“Framework provides the integrated strategy for the economic

empowerment of our people & the sustainable growth of our

country”

Sustainable Growth National Investment Strategy - SGNIS

SGNIS Model Fundamentals

1. Based on Human Resources Development

2. Sustainable use of Natural Resources

3. Equity

4. Justice

5. Transparency

6. Good Governance

Beef Island Proposed 668 Acre Golf Course, Five Star Hotel, & Marina Development

Sustainable Growth National Investment Strategy

The Beef Island Model - Background

Tetramicra Elegans Banana Wharf, Beef Island

1. Find an alternate location within the territory for the golf course.

2. Government should purchase Beef Island on behalf of the National Investment

Club/National Development Corporation.

3. The terrestrial lands & marine areas of Beef Island identified in the BVI Parks &

Protected Areas Systems Plan, should be declared by Government &

transferred to the National Parks Trust for management.

4. A system of boardwalks and hiking & snorkel snorkel trails should be

developed.

5. Utilizing local BVI capital develop the following areas:

- Agricultural potential

- Sport fishing & fly fishing

- Cultural & eco-tourism concepts

- Low impact accommodations (such as eco villas, bed & breakfast,

etc.)

- Construct scientific research station at Hans Creek

The Beef Island Model - Options

Sustainable Growth National Investment Strategy

The Beef Island Model