Dr Wheatley: Overseas trips strengthen BVI’s global standing
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has defended the government’s overseas travel, saying such missions are essential to building partnerships, protecting the territory’s interests and strengthening its reputation globally.
Speaking during a panel discussion for Diplomatic Week 2025, Dr Wheatley said international engagement allows the Virgin Islands to advocate for itself on major issues such as climate change, financial services and political stability.
He said, “We cannot possibly maintain our position or even gain our position if we were just sitting at home. We have to be able to travel.”
The Premier argued that diplomacy and travel have brought tangible results for the territory, including partnerships formed during official trips to China and Malaysia that enhanced respect for the BVI abroad. He explained that global relationships have also proven critical during periods of political uncertainty, such as after the 2022 Commission of Inquiry.
“It was partly because of diplomacy, because of our relationship with the OECS and CARICOM, where they were able to stand up for us,” Dr Wheatley stated. He credited regional allies and BVI representatives overseas for helping to avert the suspension of the territory’s constitution and democracy.
Dr Wheatley said that the BVI’s leadership roles in international organisations demonstrate the results of this engagement. “The BVI is serving as vice chair of the CDCC and also vice chair of ECLAC,” he noted, calling it “an enormous accomplishment for a territory of 30 plus thousand people.”
He emphasised that building credibility requires a consistent presence. “If you only show up at the meetings when you need something, persons are not going to take you seriously,” he explained. “You have to show up consistently. You have to show that you’re committed to the cause.”
The Premier also rejected the notion that official travel equates to leisure. “It’s a lot of hard work. But there are perks and there are benefits. You get to meet a lot of different people, new people. You get to travel. You know, sometimes the travel can be onerous,” he said.
Other officials at the discussion, including Deputy Premier Julian Fraser, echoed the Premier’s view. Fraser said critics “don’t know the benefits of travelling if you don’t travel,” noting that essential diplomatic work “cannot be done anywhere else.”
The Premier concluded that overseas representation is about ensuring the BVI’s voice is heard and respected globally.
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But they are not hearing the VI voice just the DICTATORS propaganda.
Traveling strengthens VI standing or it increases your frequent flyer miles with AA? You continue to travel but we have no results to show except receipts for your per diem.
…and Marriott rewards
Nonsense! Here he is seeking to justify their constant flying in first class at the expense of the public who can’t even make ends meet.
And it inflates his ego, even more!
yes it will strengthen global ties , but they don’t need to. know you only flew premium economy or even business class, there is ZERO need for your ministers to be flying FIRST CLASS, you are already met at MIAMI and whisked through the diplomat lane even though none of you are diplomats.
We trying to stand up on the global stage while we lying on the floor at home.
Nicely stated. Perfectly articulates the grandiose statements that are irreconcilable with the BVI’s infrastructure increasingly resembling a third world country.
Wonder if this j**e of a Premier thinks that we are naive and stupid. Mehson, reel and don’t bother coming again.
Complete b.s, stop thinking we are all stupid
Are plotting a dictatorship in the BVi. They are the d**il
Of course what else would he say to justify the enormous waste of the country’s money in first class travel, accommodation and food.
Most of you all here in the VI have this mentality that you can stay in your houses and everything will come and drop in your laps .
The government traveling is essential to the growth of the BVI. In life you have to get up off your butts and go out and hustle to get what you want.
How does his travels help the 7th district, feed families, put food on the table, bring investment when the youth can get jobs and avoid crime and prostitution. He is a disgrace and gets paid to do nothing. If he thinks that more COI are coming think again. Also the people of the 7th will not be so forgiven next election. Just passing the message on on from a disappointed and frustrated community.
Like really this guy and his ego
Roads
Healthcare
Education
Since we don’t allow foreign investments we don’t need the international community to fix the priorities.
Get to work Nataly holiday is over.
Tell that to a Donkey and it will kick your A$$.
Natalio Wheatley has been advised by his brother to take as much trips as possible to international forums to learn and develop his politics, don’t conflate this with nation building.