Fraser calls for Financial Services ambassador, envoy
Deputy Premier Julian Fraser has called for the BVI to expand its diplomatic presence abroad, arguing that the territory cannot afford to leave its most valuable industries undefended on the global stage.
Speaking recently in the House of Assembly, Fraser singled out Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley’s brother, Benito Wheatley, for his work representing the BVI internationally.
“Premier Natalio Wheatley has a brother named Benito Wheatley. But Benito Wheatley is doing a phenomenal job for this territory. Phenomenal,” Fraser said. “His name is well known throughout the Caribbean and in the halls of the United Nations. The Virgin Islands needs more ambassadors.”
Benito Wheatley has been one of the territory’s most visible envoys, pressing the case for greater self-determination at the United Nations and participating in key decolonisation forums. He has become a familiar voice in international circles, where the BVI has often struggled to be heard.
Fraser pressed the urgency of ensuring that financial services — which pour hundreds of millions into the government’s treasury each year — is given the same level of advocacy.
“Financial services needs a full-time person campaigning, lobbying for us in Europe,” Fraser argued. “Come on! How much money do they pour into our coffers? Directly into our treasury — $450 million or something this year? You’d be paying somebody (the ambassador) less than $1 million a year.”
The Deputy Premier’s remarks come as the BVI faces mounting international scrutiny over its financial services sector. The UK has been pressuring the territory to meet deadlines for creating publicly accessible registers of beneficial ownership — a move many fear could destabilise the industry. Critics in London have already floated the possibility of imposing orders in council if the BVI fails to comply.
Implications for government travel
Appointing a full-time ambassador for financial services would almost certainly involve extensive international travel, with much of the work centred in financial hubs such as London, Brussels, and other parts of Europe. While Fraser believes the investment is justified, the prospect may raise eyebrows among residents who have become increasingly critical of government travel spending in recent years.
Public sentiment remains sceptical, with many Virgin Islanders voicing frustration that overseas trips by government officials rarely produce visible benefits at home. Reports of costly delegations attending conferences abroad have fueled debate about whether government travel is being managed responsibly. Amid public criticism, the government maintains that it only travels to important global events that have the potential to bring much value to the territory.
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What a nu**er
HAVE SPOKEN , BUT WHO IS JE SPEAKING TO OR FOR , HE WAS INSTRUCTED TO JUST SIT AND SAY WHAT YOU ARE TOLD TO SAY FROM HIS MASTER ( WHEN HE BOUNCED OVER HE HAD AGREED TO THAT , SO HE HAD TO DUMP THE VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE THAT HE HAD AGREED TO WHEN SKELIE BROUGHT IT TO THE HOA , HE HAD BETTER BECAREFULL WITH NAT-AL-EO , WE ALL SEE HOW HE REMOVED LADY LORNA WHO THOUGHT SHE HAD OWNED THAT SEAT, MASTER WEATIE DO NOT ATOLERATE INSURBORDINATION ,
He is the only deputy that can be trusted and was never fired by his leader
International relations is not a devolved subject.
I bet you old man and slow-andy already have the candidate selected. The grift goes on.
Help wanted Friends & Family need only apply, job description flying around the world , free meals , accommodation , government credit card no chance of working from home .
This is exactly what this is.
Someone they want to set up with a big job until they retire with all the perks.
Looks like you looking for a nice earning position for your retirement.
Greedy Bill money will not be enough for you.
What we all really want is for you to finally go away.
Along with all the other political dinosaurs that want the corrupt gravy train to continue forever.
We want a better VI and that clearly is not going to happen with you hands stuck in the spokes of the wheel.
Jw will be a good ambassador it keeps him.out the race
Where is our 5 million?
The current financial ambassador for the BVI is incarcerated in the US until 2032. Named Andrew Fahie he was convicted in a US court for conspiring to import illegal drugs into the USA through the BVI.
Fraser, Fraser, Julian Fraser!!!
Man I cannot take you serious anymore. Do you ever look at yourself in the mirror any day?! I mean your outward appearance does not in any way reflect the Deputy Premier of the BVI. How then can anyone take you seriously? Then further re-enforcement that you are off your rockers are these lame brain ideas.
Look deh man; ain’t nobody want to hear you and your hare-brained (well Elevator Rd head) scheme ideas that your honcho planted that dry coconut
You all take us for fools still and have no fear of justice as you guys n gyals feel you are above the law – here.
Exactly.
Julian Fraser looks like a joke and should not be in the position he is in.
This ask for a publicly accessible register for beneficial ownership is not unique to the BVI. The UK has this register for ages and is available via the UK government website. It does not include sole traders (businesses with 1 owner or partnerships). There is a nother for charities and another for clubs and societies.
Honestly, as a child of the British Virgin Islands I am ashamed of the government and the lack of our brilliance showing through in many aspects of life. There is nothing to push back on with this ask. Most companies that will go on this register also do business in the UK and are already present on the UK’s register.
Just get the job done.
This is non-sense. Hire people on contracts if you have to. We have so many people who want ‘office jobs’ in the BVI.
And don’t forget this is a ‘British’ nation. We ought to align our practices dummies where it obviously makes sense to do. We will see greater financial success doing that and make more financial services available to the residents and businesses which will in turn attract more international businesses.
Hasn’t the guy been married since God invented dirt? Can’t his wife suggest a spruce-up?