Dom. Rep. food outreach will yield fruit, Premier insists

Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley said his government is moving forward with efforts to secure more affordable food supplies through outreach to the Dominican Republic and Guyana.

Speaking on the Talking Points show, Dr Wheatley said the government is arranging an official visit to the Dominican Republic to discuss cooperation on agricultural imports. The initiative aims to reduce the cost of essential goods for residents.

“We are arranging for a visit to the Dominican Republic so we can discuss matters of cooperation, including being able to source products that could inform a basket of goods,” Dr Wheatley stated.

He explained that the proximity of the Dominican Republic, coupled with existing familial ties and shipping operations, offers immediate potential benefits.

“My goal is to see very immediate outcomes from this engagement,” Dr Wheatley shared.

Don’t lose hope

The Premier also addressed previous outreach to Guyana, where the government sought similar agricultural partnerships. While tangible benefits from that effort are still pending, Dr Wheatley maintained that progress is ongoing.

“Let’s not lose hope on the Guyana trip. I think there’s still fruit that will come from that trip,” he said. “Active work is taking place. Fast ferries will be going from the southern Caribbean—Guyana, Trinidad, St Vincent, Barbados—straight up to the northern Leeward Islands. Those things are in the works and those things are happening.”

Dr Wheatley explained that logistical challenges, including the need to establish efficient shipping routes, have delayed the results of the Guyana initiative. However, he said the Dominican Republic offers a faster path to achieving the government’s objectives.

“There are already shipping operations that we can benefit from, and we have our own local shippers,” he stated.

Dr Wheatley also noted that the Dominican Republic is a major agricultural producer and a significant economy in the region. “At one point, I think it was the second largest recipient of foreign direct investment in the Western Hemisphere,” he noted.

The government’s outreach efforts align with its broader strategy to regulate the cost of essential goods in the territory. This includes improving consumer protection and stabilising prices through better trade partnerships.

The Premier expressed optimism that these partnerships would help address rising living costs in the BVI.