Government eyes trade mission to India
The government is exploring a possible trade mission to India as part of its broader effort to diversify international partnerships and strengthen trade ties beyond traditional markets, Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has said.
The move comes amid ongoing discussions with several countries in the Caribbean and Asia, including trips to the Dominican Republic and planned engagements in St Maarten and Jamaica.
“We are seeking different trade routes, different supply markets, and seeing what areas that we can cooperate in, in the best interest of the people of the Virgin Islands,” Dr Wheatley stated.
While the Premier did not provide a confirmed date for the India mission, he pointed to the territory’s recent trade-focused engagements as a model. “We’ll soon be conducting a trade mission to India by diversifying the markets that we serve,” he said.
Dr Wheatley also praised ongoing collaboration with Jamaica, noting the appointment of an honorary consul in the BVI as a sign of deepening bilateral ties. “It signals strengthened relations between the government of Jamaica and the government of the Virgin Islands,” he explained.
The Premier highlighted Jamaica’s expertise in tourism, culture, and port operations as areas that could provide valuable lessons and trade opportunities for the BVI. “Through strengthened relations with Jamaica, we too can see some level of benefit,” Dr Wheatley said.
As part of its wider trade mission strategy, the government has also planned high-level meetings with the Dominican Republic. “We’ll be having meetings with government officials there,” Dr Wheatley stated. He noted that discussions would centre on mutual cooperation, including food security, and that the DR has already drafted a framework for collaboration.
He said the public should expect tangible results from these efforts. “We will report back to the people of the Virgin Islands,” Dr Wheatley asserted.
According to Wheatley, the trade missions are being spearheaded by Junior Minister for Financial Services Lorna Smith, with support from various ministries. He acknowledged the work of public officers in facilitating the logistics and coordination of these trips.
“We are on the move,” Premier Wheatley declared. “What we are doing is strengthening our relationships with others in the region, seeking different trade routes, different supply markets, and seeing what areas we can cooperate in, in the best interest of the people of the Virgin Islands.”
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we don’t export anything, this is just a chance for more expensive travel
These people in their hunt for cheap capital going to one of the most socially repressive countries on this planet to get capital. Those Indians will own the BVI if S!0wW@nde and the A$$C!0wn brigade travel over there with their agenda
What are we trading?
waste of money
Ooh. How lovely. You all have a nice time. IF you see anyone one from Northam there can you have them come back and finish what they started.
And see if they have any extra tarmac you could bring back with you in your first class luggage allowance to fill some pot holes on the ridge road. The donkeys commplaining of twisted ankles now.
Whoever travels to India on behalf of the BVI government should not return to the BVI ever.
lolol
Anyone who get on a plane to waste our tax payer money on a trip to India don’t come back and if you msknts do none y’all not getting my votes. This is pure fkry.
Showande please stop chasing shadows and wasting tax payers. Tell us the people what benefits are going to be derived from this trade mission to India. I can answer that question for myself. No benefits for the territory and its people. All that is going to come out of this trip is government parasites who fleece the public’s purse go on an all expense paid trip first class eat and drink and come back with nothing to show. No Showande hands off our money.
Cultural exchanges, discuss border controls , offer bvi peace keeping force for Pakistan troubles that kind of thing can see the sense in it .
Sound like another pricy trip that not going to have no tangible benefit to the bvi or its people. Per usual.
The trade mission to India opens valuable opportunities for our businesses to access one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. It will help diversify our markets and boost exports
Boost exports for who? What does the BVI export or what can be exported to India?
Intelligent move, honeymoon travels with public money