As the Virgin Islands prepares to celebrate Heroes and Forefathers Day on Monday, October 21, a series of initiatives are being launched to honour the territory’s rich history and pay tribute to its distinguished heroes. Premier Dr. the Hon. Natalio Wheatley provided a glimpse of the planned celebrations during a House of Assembly sitting on … Continued
Following the recent decision to grant visa-free access to Guyanese nationals, the Government of the Virgin Islands is now considering extending the same privilege to citizens of the Dominican Republic and Jamaica. Premier Dr. the Hon. Natalio Wheatley announced at a press conference on Monday that the government is actively exploring the possibility of removing … Continued
An audit conducted on major public contracts in the territory has revealed significant gaps and vulnerabilities in the territory’s procurement practices between 2019 and 2022. The audit, commissioned following the recommendations of the BVI Commission of Inquiry Report, sought to evaluate the transparency, fairness, and overall effectiveness of the government’s procurement processes. The findings highlight … Continued
The Government of the Virgin Islands and local supermarket franchise, OneMart, have reassured residents that there are no immediate disruptions to food and cargo shipments following a dockworkers’ strike along the eastern seaboard of the United States, which began on October 1, 2024. The strike, involving thousands of workers from ports ranging from New England … Continued
The Government of the Virgin Islands has officially confirmed the appointments of Joseph Smith-Abbott and Tasha Bertie as Permanent Secretaries within their respective ministries, following their service in acting capacities. The appointments were made in accordance with Section 24 (1) of the Service Commission Regulations. Smith-Abbott will now serve as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry … Continued
The Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency (RDA), instrumental in the territory’s recovery from the devastating 2017 hurricanes, is set to become a permanent fixture under the new name Virgin Islands Development Agency (VIDA). This transition marks a significant shift in the territory’s long-term approach to infrastructure development, disaster recovery, and economic growth. Premier and … Continued
The newly appointed UN Resident Coordinator for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Simon Springette, has begun a two-day visit to the Virgin Islands from today, October 1, marking a significant step in fostering collaboration on sustainable development initiatives in the territory. Springette’s visit aims to strengthen the relationship between the Virgin Islands and the United … Continued
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
