Anguilla’s Chief Minister Mr Victor Banks who has returned to the island following the Overseas Countries and Territories Association EU Forum has delivered some good news of optimism which would allow the AUF Government to get the wheels of the economy going again.
On Tuesday, March 1, Mr Banks, on the Government’s Radio Programme, Upfront: A Conversation with the Nation announced that the British government has agreed to inject 40 to 50 million pounds into the island’s economy particularly for the Airport expansion project.
Mr Banks also reported that Government and the British officials have come to an agreement on important matters relating to the banking resolution and the budget.
“There were some issues we were going through with the banking sector in terms of the by-laws and we came to agreement on the Monday about the proper presentation of the by-laws. Another aspect of the budgetary discussion is that we also agreed on the terms of reference for the Finance Officer who will be here to work with the Ministry of Finance as an Advisor.
Mr Banks made it clear that the British official will not have any powers to veto any decisions of the Government as was previously stated by British officials.
“He is a part of the Ministry of Finance and not somebody who is an officer of the Ministry to have veto powers,” Banks stated.
The Chief Minister said the Government hopes to draw from the Advisor’s experience and contacts in the UK to help advance Anguilla’s cause.
“It is therefore a 3 tier approach [to the] budget, the banking sector and capital investment,” Banks said.
The Chief Minister hopes that by the end of the week there would be something more substantive to report to the people.
“We came to an end of our negotiations on this matter. We came to agreement .I feel encouraged by the meeting. We’ve come a long way, albeit very slow, frustratingly slow,” Mr Banks added.
