BVI’s economy is doing well, Premier insists
The BVI’s economy continues to perform strongly, with key revenue indicators pointing to sustained growth despite global and domestic challenges, Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley said during the House of Assembly debate on the 2026 budget.
Presenting updated figures, the Premier said government data contradicted claims that the economy was struggling. “When you look at the numbers, when you look at the numbers, our economy is growing,” he told the House.
The Premier stressed that official statistics, rather than anecdotal accounts, should guide public discussion. “The actual data states that the economy is doing well,” he argued.
He pointed to record collections in several major revenue streams. Payroll tax receipts reached their highest level in 2023, totalling more than $62 million, with 2024 recording the second-highest figure in the territory’s history. Import duties also peaked in 2024 at just over $50 million, while hotel accommodation tax reached a record $8.7 million that same year, according to figures laid before the House.
Tourism performance, another area where his government was heavily criticised, was highlighted as another stellar area of the economy. The Premier said the territory recorded more than 300,000 overnight visitors in 2024, the highest level since the 2017 hurricanes. Day-trip arrivals also rose sharply. Between January and September 2025, arrivals in that category increased by more than 50 percent compared with the same period the year before. “That’s good news for the Virgin Islands. That means we are doing well,” he said.
Financial services, the other main pillar of the economy, continued to generate strong returns, the Premier said. He cited record revenues following fee adjustments and said the industry had demonstrated resilience while meeting international regulatory requirements. He also told lawmakers that the territory had achieved compliance with all 40 recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force, strengthening confidence in the sector’s oversight framework.
Investment activity across the territory was also cited as convincing evidence of economic momentum. The Premier said several major tourism and mixed-use developments were expanding or preparing to break ground, while airlift improvements, including direct flights from Miami, were already benefiting businesses. “Every time that I’ve spoken to [businesses], they’ve mentioned to me how pleased they are with that direct flight,” he said.
While acknowledging ongoing pressures, including inflation and labour market skills gaps, the Premier urged a balanced assessment of the territory’s position. “The territory is never as bad as some people make it look,” he said, stressing that the government remained focused on building sustainable growth through the 2026 budget.
The budget debate now moves to closed-door sessions as lawmakers examine allocations to support economic activity, public services, and long-term development across the Virgin Islands.
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What figures?
We haven’t had audited accounts for many, many years and you are quoting figures.
No one knows what the Terrrritory looks like financially as it is all SECRET.
Including buisness cases, tourism plans, what happens to the Environmen t levy, where the concert money goes, payments for soca cruises.
Nobody knows.
It is all just cause you say so????
That is not enough.
Just because the DICTATOR says it is so does not make it so.
Just because a DICTATOR says it is so does not make it so.
Where are the accounts?
The business cases.
All hidden in SECRETS.
I don’t what the Premier smoking. Which economy is doing well?
The placing at a standstiil. The VIP Gov not doing anything. They must go.
Really now
Oddly enough, the man in the Whitehouse just did a similar fact free speech last Wednesday attempting to persuade the US that all is great when the data shows otherwise (unless you have bilions). The BVI government has not issued an audited financial statement in at least a decade. Ever wonder why?
maybe doing well for greedy businesses that making 500% profits but that benefit dont pass down to the consumer…
what is 50c to 3 dollars off certain goods when you the supplier buy the goods for $10 and sell it here in the bvi for $50………………………………………………………….. then increase the price every other week cuz you yall keep getting away with it making more and more profit while killing out the consumer who has little to no options
when people try online shopping saw it was cheaper yall politicians decided to increase import taxes bcuz the greedy business notice what was happening smhhhhhhh
he goin just keep tryn gaslight us like this?
How’s that big pay raise you gave yourself ? The HOA feeling good about the economy
The Horner man rumors must be true cause only a Horner man can watch you in the face and lie like that.
With all due respect sir, you are delusional. You are beginning to sound like the Orange Man up north.
Have you heard the expression, “Quality of Life”? Why don’t you go ask the ordinary working-class persons how challenging it is for them to meet their basic needs?
I will give you an example of a parameter you can use to gauge the economy: look at the number of vendors who are setting up camp in every little space in the city and along the island’s roads and sidewalks, selling all sorts of things.
What he mean to say is HIS pocket doing well.
It is very important in a booming economy that PENSIONERS, who have contributed for decades be given their earned appropriations
Given that the economy is doing very well, a sum of that money of the total assets should/must devoted especially to the retired PENSIONERS.
They are suffering immensely due to high cost of living. And, those with absolute medical necessities are affected even more so.
Pensioners an immediate booster shot in their income. They have been left unseen, unheard and uncared for while others have lavished themselves with all of the trappings that political office contains.
It is time for those with a heart and conscience to do right by those who have contributed to the economic funds that have seen them afforded themselves a 200% raise in their salary and have made the businesses more sucessful.
People are watching where their heart and gratitude are.
Take care of the peope who came before and have paved the way for you to enrich yourself.
It is the right and Godly thing to do. Pay the PENSIONERS what they have worked for and have earned.
There is a choice between right and wrong. Where do you stand HOA thirteen?
…until closer to elections. He will give it to you then. You will then forget that you went without it for years and vote for them again!
What do you honestly expect Natalio to say about the economy? He and his cronies, aided by self-serving and morally bankrupt advisers, continue to doctor and manipulate statistics in this Territory to create a false narrative that all is well. And perhaps it is well—but only for a privileged few. It is well for those he handpicks for contracts without going through proper tender, while the very same tender process is weaponized to punish, exclude, and victimize law-abiding citizens who refuse to bow, scrape, or perform favors for political survival.
The economy works perfectly for him because he does not have to depend on the failed and widely rejected NHI system—one that service providers avoid because payments are slow, uncertain, or never come at all. At the same time, he and every minister under him enjoy unrestricted access to world-class healthcare anywhere in the world. As if that were not obscene enough, they receive double pay, generous perks, and benefits that allow them to live lavishly while the people who fund their lifestyles struggle just to survive.
Meanwhile, ordinary BVIslanders are crushed under exorbitant taxes, forced to drive on broken, dangerous roads, denied basic allowances, and locked out of opportunities. We do not get to jet-set across the globe on taxpayers’ money. We do not get to buy luxury homes in places like Oil Nut Bay. We get hardship, stress, and a government that has turned its back on us.
Is it remotely fair that a man who has never held a position of real consequence, who lacks specialized knowledge or demonstrated competence, now wields absolute power over an entire people? A man who routinely cries to the United Nations about so-called UK oppression, while he himself actively suppresses the people, silences dissent, and strangles progress in the British Virgin Islands.
Here is a truly radical idea: let the UK allow an independent, citizen-led BVI delegation to be heard at the United Nations. Let the world hear from the people who are actually suffering. We demand the repeal of the so-called “greed bill” that protects non-performing politicians. We demand a full Commission of Inquiry into the last election—specifically why individuals whose status had not been properly clarified long before election day were allowed to vote and influence the outcome. We also demand an immediate Commission of Inquiry into the Bank of Asia debacle and other serious matters that the public has repeatedly raised and the government has deliberately ignored.
Let us be clear: we did not ask for independence. We did not ask for victimization. We did not ask for crushing taxes, economic hardship, or political intimidation. What we ask for—and what we deserve—are jobs, functioning healthcare, safe and crime-free communities, the ability to take a vacation without financial ruin, and the chance to retire with dignity instead of fear.
Government ministers collect six-figure salaries and can retire after eight short years with full benefits. Under those conditions, of course the economy looks “strong.” Even Dr. Pickering now enjoys the fruits of political privilege—drawing income from politics, medicine, and a climate change czar role for which he has shown little expertise—while former political enemies conveniently dine from the same pot. Principles are abandoned the moment power and money are on the table.
The people are watching. The anger is real. And when the next election cycle comes around, no amount of spin, statistics, or scripted speeches will erase the lived reality of the people of this Territory.
Now they have brough in the well-known WRECKING BALL- the climate envoy- everything he touches turns to sand- greenhouses- fisheries- conservation, brandywine Bay- this country is in trouble
thats a lie hotel industry struggling
because u triple ayo salaries u feel everyone is doing good
lol nah this a joke
There’s been no mention made of Hon. Mather’s response to the budget. A call to the Premier and the nation to reevaluate our values and move into a progressive Virgin Islands. A very moving speech.
Can’t help but notice the silence
That is a lie straight from hell. This byoy got some nerves. Who feels it knows it. Dry bones cry in the wilderness.
The economy is doing well and you are still robbing the poor, you can stop taking money from the poor man now man, the money you taking from moneygram and western union is high way robbery but continue you all will be punish in the end, why you must eat food and the poor go hungry. The economy is doing well and the country is a stagnant dirty water.
A economy entirely based off another countries economy is never a strong economy. This is not a call for independence but a call to think outside the box that we are all stuck in…
Nuts ! Just quit.
He clearly went to the Donald Trump school of B***S**T
Here’s another indicator, of how “well” the economy is doing: Big Brothers 1-day reduction in gas price by $1.00; the line stretched from One Mart. Go figure.
Rite way had sale
When I finish at the cashier my bill looked the same as it did the last two months loooool
Passers I bought Alfredo and wings with fries. It cost me 60 plus dollar’s lol
Yes the economy is doing well, but only in your head!
Premier, you cannot tell or will people how to feel. The people has to feel and enjoy what is happening on the ground. This can be happening but if the people are not feeling it., it is like it is not happening. Biden tried will people that the US economy was better than they were feeling; Trump is doing the same thing . It didn’t go well and is not going over well. You guys need to get from behind the desk, shed the GQ look, humble yourselves, etc, and interact with the people.It is called retail politics.