ROADTOWN Tortola BVI, March 29th, 2012 – The Premier and Minister for Finance, Honourable Dr. D. Orlando Smith OBE and Minister for Communications and Works, Honourable Mark Vanterpool signed a Heads of Understanding (HOU) agreement with Tortola Port Partners Limited to begin talks for the development of the Cruise Pier.
The HOU was signed on March 27 at the Premier’s Conference Room and is a formal agreement that will bind both parties for the next 90 days to deliberate exclusively regarding plans for the development of the Cruise Pier.
“This Heads of Understanding will be the platform from which both parties will be able in confidence to negotiate the possible binding agreement to take the development of the cruise pier forward,” the Premier explained.
Minister Vanterpool during his remarks spoke about Governments commitment. “The signing today underscores this Government’s clear commitment to developing a quality cruise product in the long term for the benefit of the people of the Virgin Islands,” Hon. Vanterpool said.
Minister Vanterpool told the gathering that the project will entail three phases over the next three years. The first phase according to the minister will include the extension and widening of the cruise pier. The second phase will be the development of the land side and phase three will focus on improvements to Road Town which according to the Minister Vanterpool will help to improve the resident and visitor experience.
Honourable Vanterpool further stated that following the 90 days of negotiations the agreement will be brought to the public for their input and discussion.
Tortola Port Partners Limited is comprised of individuals representing Jay Cashman and United Infrastructure Groups. Disney Cruise Lines is the participating cruise line.
Karl Holz president of Disney Cruise Lines expresses his is excitement about the opportunity to work with the UIG and Cashman teams and the Government of the Virgin Islands on the development of the Road Town Tortola cruise ship pier and port. "As we have expanded our fleet, Tortola has very much become a port of interest for Disney Cruise Line.”
Other members of the Cabinet present included Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Honourable Kedrick Pickering, At Large Representative, Honourable Archie Christian and Sixth District Representative, Honourable Alvera Maduro Caines.
Government is committed to the continued development and maintenance of the Territory’s public infrastructure including ports to support cruise tourism.
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British Virgin Islands News