The Government of the Virgin Islands is actively engaging with the United States to explore a resolution regarding U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance for travellers entering the territory. Minister for Communication and Works, Hon. Kye Rymer, confirmed ongoing discussions during a recent community meeting on Virgin Gorda. What Is Preclearance? CBP Preclearance involves … Continued
Premier Dr. the Hon. Natalio Wheatley has signalled his willingness to reconsider the maximum grant amount offered under the government’s Small Business Development Grant Programme. Currently capped at $7,000, the grant programme supports small and medium-sized businesses in overcoming financial hurdles and fostering growth. Speaking on the local radio program Talking Points, Premier Wheatley acknowledged the … Continued
Premier and Minister of Financial Services and Labour, Dr. the Hon. Natalio Wheatley, has pledged to address reports of mass layoffs and the relocation of financial services operations to cheaper jurisdictions. Speaking on the local radio programme Talking Points, Premier Wheatley expressed his commitment to engaging with industry stakeholders to tackle the issue. During the programme, … Continued
Premier Dr. the Hon. Natalio Wheatley has revealed a multi-faceted approach to combat the increasing cost of living in the British Virgin Islands (BVI). At a recent press conference, Premier Wheatley discussed key strategies, including the promotion of renewable energy, boosting local agricultural production, and reviewing the territory’s tax and duty regime. Wheatley also emphasized … Continued
Premier Dr. the Hon. Natalio Wheatley recently outlined the need for the British Virgin Islands to grow its population in order to meet its economic aspirations, emphasizing that migration would play a central role in this growth. At a press conference, Wheatley stressed that the territory’s future economic success depends on expanding its workforce to … Continued
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Hon. Natalio Wheatley announced significant progress following his recent attendance at the Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) in the United Kingdom. Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Premier Wheatley emphasized the UK’s openness to evolving its constitutional relationship with the British Virgin Islands (BVI) and other Overseas Territories … Continued
The Government of the Virgin Islands has announced plans to merge the BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) with the Water and Sewerage Department (WSD) by 2025, reigniting a proposal initially announced in 2013 under the National Democratic Party (NDP) which was never realized. Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr. the Hon. Natalio Wheatley, made the declaration … Continued
The British Virgin Islands will remain under the potential threat of direct UK rule, as the Order in Council—an instrument enabling the UK to suspend the BVI’s constitution—remains in place following the recent visit of UK Overseas Territories (OT) Minister Stephen Doughty. During his visit, Doughty announced that while discussions are progressing, a final decision … Continued
Sixth District Representative Hon. Myron Walwyn has raised concerns over the recent decision to allocate $500,000 to the BVI Tourist Board for beautification efforts, describing the decision as misaligned with the board’s primary focus. During the recent debate on the nearly $12 million Schedule of Additional Provisions (SAP), Walwyn argued that such tasks—largely consisting of … Continued
A federal judge in Texas has struck down a key Biden administration policy aimed at helping undocumented immigrants married to United States citizens gain a path to citizenship. The programme, known as “Keeping Families Together,” was one of the most significant recent presidential initiatives for immigrant families, offering undocumented spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens … Continued
