NEW YEAR BRINGS ONLINE OFFICIAL GAZETTE

The New Year marks the start of a new, modern chapter for the Territory’s Official Gazette, which is now available on-line.

“The establishment of the Gazette website represents a major improvement is the service we are able to offer Gazette subscribers, as well as the general public,” Permanent Secretary in the Deputy Governor’s Office Mr. Otto O’Neal said. “Important government information will now be accessible to a larger audience in a more timely way.”

Through the Online Official Gazette, users will be able to access the Gazette electronically immediately after publication and search the on-line archives. Users may also opt to receive an e-mail notification when a new Gazette has been posted to the website.

In addition, persons will be able to submit and pay for notices on-line, through a secure web-based payment system.

The Official Gazette, published weekly by the Deputy Governor’s Office, contains government, legal, liquidation, and other notices. It also contains Bills, Acts, Statutory Instruments, and other important official documents. Presently, approximately 200 hard copy subscriptions are mailed or delivered to subscribers each week.

The Gazette is used frequently by financial services companies, who insert liquidation and other notices related to BVI companies. With the new on-line notice submission system, these advertisers will now be able to submit notices electronically.

“We are grateful to the financial services community, and especially the Association of Registered Agents, for the assistance they provided in helping us develop this part of the website,” the Permanent Secretary said.

Mr. O’Neal also noted that establishment of the on-line Gazette is a fulfilment of one of the recommendations of the Territory’s financial services industry strategic plan.

The Official Gazette website address will be www.bvigazette.org. Detailed information about subscription rates, notice submission policy, and how to access the Gazette will be available on the website. There will also be a ceremony to celebrate the establishment of the Online Official Gazette on Thursday, January 4, 2007, at 10 a.m. at the Central Administration Complex Breezeway.

The Official Gazette was first published on March 9, 1967. 2007 will be the 40^th anniversary year of the Gazette.