Road Town, Tortola - The Ministry of Finance’s Project Support Services Unit (PSSU) will host a panel discussion focussing on sustainable development, to enhance public service and public awareness of the value of project planning and management in the territory’s development.

The panel discussion themed, “Project Planning and Management for Sustainable Development” takes place on June 3 at the Moorings Conference Room and begins at 6:30 p.m.

According to the Manager of the PSSU, Ms. Shaina M. Smith, sustainable development is the balancing act that has to take place where planning integrates social development needs, economic opportunity and environmental protection to meet the needs of the current and future generations.

“The panel consists of persons from the public and private sectors involved in the construction and project management industries,” said Ms. Smith.

With regards to the theme of the upcoming discussion, the manager explained, “Panellists will discuss how project planning and management are part of the strategy taken to ensure resources are used optimally - be it financial, human and environmental.”

She added, “They will also discuss development that has taken place here in the Virgin Islands over the last generation, and whether it has happened in such a way that balances environmental protection, social and economic development needs. In that forum, it is hoped that strategies are proposed to address challenges and issues associated with development with finite resources.”

“We are encouraging the public as well as public servants interested in understanding more about the importance of planning for sustainable development to attend and come with questions to encourage a fruitful dialogue,” said Ms. Smith.

For further information, please contact the Project Support Services Unit at 494-3701 extension 4252.

The Project Support Services Unit was established by the Ministry of Finance to implement and maintain a project management system of policy and standard procedures to ensure the effective and efficient management of all government projects, with the goal of achieving value for money.