The Government of the Virgin Islands has announced plans to remove the existing visa requirement for Guyanese nationals travelling to the territory, marking a significant step toward strengthening ties between the two Caribbean nations. The announcement was made by Premier Dr. the Hon. Natalio Wheatley during a press conference on Monday, September 30. Premier Wheatley … Continued
The Government of the Virgin Islands is set to receive a historic $100 million loan facility from CIBC Caribbean Bank, following the resolution’s approval in the House of Assembly last Thursday. This loan represents the largest single loan in the history of the Virgin Islands and is a key component of the government’s medium-term fiscal … Continued
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Hon. Natalio Wheatley is set to lay several important audit reports before the House of Assembly, as outlined in the order paper of the current sitting. These documents are part of the ongoing reforms following the Commission of Inquiry (COI). The audits are the latest in a series … Continued
The Tourist Board Amendment Bill was recently laid in the House of Assembly. It is among a slew of bills that was introduced ahead of the most recent COI deadline, designed to strengthen governance of statutory boards. Among other provisions, the proposed law outlines procedures for appointing and removing statutory board members. Mover of the … Continued
The Government of the Virgin Islands has embarked on a $2.38 million road construction project, set to span six months, to improve 3,813 linear feet of concrete roadway from Paraquita Bay to Hodges Creek. The contract for this major infrastructure effort was awarded to Northam Construction, with a total value of $2,386,015.99. Minister for Communication … Continued
Concerns over the BVI’s tourism product and the need for more holistic investments in the sector were raised by Hon. Julien Fraser, Member for the Third District, during a recent session of the House of Assembly. While acknowledging the Territory’s natural assets of “Sand, Sea and Air” as appealing to visitors, Fraser questioned whether this … Continued
During a debate on the “Tourist Board (Amendment) Bill, 2024,” Hon. Marlon Penn, Member for the 8th District, raised concerns about the legality of the BVI Tourist Board’s continued assumption of duties which are still legally held by the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee. Penn argued that without proper legislative action, the Tourist Board’s … Continued
The Government of the Virgin Islands is taking a significant step toward modernizing its immigration management processes with the introduction of the Online Embarkation/Disembarkation (ED) Card System, set to launch next month. This transformative digital initiative, a collaboration between the Department of Immigration and His Majesty’s Customs, is designed to streamline entry procedures and improve … Continued
Government officials are defending the pace of reforms following another missed deadline, emphasizing the importance of democratic processes over rigid timelines. Deputy Premier Hon. Lorna Smith stressed that democracy should not be rushed while acknowledging significant progress in the reform process. Smith acknowledged challenges related to stringent deadlines, suggesting that the approach to the timeline … Continued
The Government of the Virgin Islands is actively seeking solutions to address the territory’s high insurance costs, with recent efforts including discussions with global insurance leaders in the United Kingdom. Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade, Hon. Lorna G. Smith, OBE, reported that during the recent official visit to the United … Continued
