President Bill Clinton Friday signed into law the Miscellaneous Trade and Technical Corrections Act of 1999 which will extend the benefits of the watch industry in the Virgin Islands to include manufacturers of fine jewelry.
Gov. Charles W. Turnbull and Delegate Donna Christian-Christensen were in attendance at the signing.
"This is a great day for the Virgin Islands and the end result of two years of hard work and perseverance," Christensen said.
The bill, which was introduced by September 1997, will provide tariff credits against wages paid by VI watch producers and expand it to include the production of jewelry.
"I look forward to working with Mr. Irvin Wein and the members of the Virgin Islands Watch Manufacturers Association to revive the industry here in the Territory," Christiansen said.
"I am especially thankful to President Clinton and his Administration for supporting this measure and to all of my colleagues here in Congress for helping to make this day possible. I also thank Governor Turnbull once again for his steadfast support and contributions to ensuring the passage of this legislation," the congresswoman said.