Premier of the Virgin Islands, Dr. the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley, will lead a delegation of five officials to London from September 9 to 13, 2024, to engage in key discussions with the new United Kingdom (UK) Minister for Overseas Territories, Stephen Doughty, MP, and other members of the UK Parliament.
The delegation aims to strengthen the modern partnership between the Virgin Islands and the United Kingdom, emphasizing mutual trust, respect, and cultural understanding.
Joining the Premier will be Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade, Honourable Lorna Smith OBE; Ayana Glasgow, Executive Director of International Business Regulations; Kedrick Malone, Governance Reform Delivery Manager in the Premier’s Office; and Kenneth Baker, Managing Director of the Financial Services Commission. The five-day visit will include meetings with key political figures, media stakeholders, and representatives from the financial and professional services sectors. His Excellency Governor Daniel Pruce will join the meeting with the Overseas Territories Minister.
During the trip, Premier Wheatley will focus on the significant progress made in governance reforms following the Commission of Inquiry, reporting that 45 of the 48 recommendations (94%) have been completed, with three remaining in progress. Of the 115 actions supporting these recommendations, 112 have been completed. The delegation will also highlight efforts to comply with the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force’s Mutual Evaluation Report, which includes establishing a Sanctions Unit, updating anti-money laundering policies, and creating working groups to address risks related to money laundering and terrorist financing.
In addition, the delegation will meet with private sector climate finance specialists to discuss climate change impacts on the Virgin Islands.
Premier Wheatley expressed the importance of engaging directly with UK representatives, stating, “Face-to-face meetings with parliamentarians, officials, regulators, and the private sector are critical to building stronger ties and establishing the modern partnership we seek with the United Kingdom.”
The visit will also include a reception hosted by the Speaker of the House of Commons, The Right Honourable Sir Lindsay Hoyle, MP, offering an opportunity to promote understanding and strengthen relations with new parliamentarians and allies of the British Virgin Islands.