Guyana consulate under active consideration for BVI
The government has been giving serious thought to establishing a diplomatic office and a more permanent presence in Guyana, and said a contingent may soon be returning to the country to address the issue.
Deputy Premier, Lorna Smith, told reporters at a press conference recently that the issue of establishing a consulate in Guyana is currently under active consideration by the government.
“I said the team will be returning soon… at two levels. There will be individuals who will be going back, in fact, it’s been indicated, before the end of the year. In terms of the team and whether there’ll be a consulate, it’s a matter that is under active discussion,” Smith said.
Smith, who is also the Minister for Financial Services, Labour, and Trade, described a recent trade mission to Guyana as being very successful and officials from the BVI delegation were delighted at the warm reception from government and representatives from the private sector.
According to the Trade Minister, “We have identified new opportunities for BVI business. We’ve examined how Guyana is moving towards a low carbon economy – which will assist us in our own journey – we’ve established links to benefit our own economy and especially our agricultural sector, and we’ve reinforced our relationship with one of the leading and largest members of CARICOM.”
But Smith, who previously acknowledged that the government must have a presence on the ground in Guyana if it is serious about cementing ties, expressed caution about moving forward, noting that the government may first want to establish a Memorandum of Understanding under which everything would fall.
“I don’t want to give a timeframe in terms of when [the team] will be going back, but there will be some effective representation on the ground and we recognise that it’s necessary that it be on the ground,” she added.
According to Smith, the issue is something that the government wants to be careful in studying and ensuring that it is mutually beneficial to both countries.
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Tell Delila go siddung please. The woman is nothing but a deceptive opportunist. First she use and deceive the NDP and now she gone Guyana go friend up with them because they got oil money. Look at her shark face with that ugly wig on.
physical presence in any country except in the UK is the only expense to burden the BVI taxpayers.
I totally agree with you.
Who da f these people representing. Sowande has no control over this loose cannon.
When will the UK swoop in and stop this charade of a government?
It is my understanding that the activities of a consulate include protecting the interests of citizens temporarily or permanently resident in the host country, issuing passports; issuing visas to foreigners and public diplomacy.
BUT tell me, why would our lil territory (a dependency), need a consulate in Guyana or any other country? Does the BVI even have the authority to open a consulate when we are British and it is the UK who handles international matters for it’s overseas territories.
It is my understanding that before the British closed it’s embassy in Guyana, it was them who handled visa, passport etc on the BVI and other OTs behalf. The demand for such services for the BVI alone would be so small that I rule it out as a waste of time, horse and pony show.
I can understand the BVI opening an office for investment, trade, student assistance etc. But a consulate? Hahahaha…..
Time to open another Consulate in Miami to represent BVI persons accused of drug trafficking and money laundering offences.
The position of a Consulate General should attract a salary of $200.000.00 a year together with accommodation and full security detail.
Applications should be made to ‘The Department of International Relations’ Office of the Minister of State, Great Dog Island, BVI
Look at these criminals,they bleed us of our hard working money in the British virgin island now they want to go guyana,you talking about your teacher was from guyana!that doesn’t make you guyanese,you forced alphonso to go with you so you could have a background status,you should be a shame of your self,guyana has oil,why didn’t you negotiate about refinery to reduce the cost of fuel to bvi,no you went to seak land as if you going to do gold mining…tell me who will that land benefit?when you should have speak to your colleagues in the bvi to do shipping from guyana to bvi to reduce cost it would have been fantastic but no,to you it’s like you want everything for your self.
I think that was meant to a Guyana counclate in the BVI. The other way around will be a joke.
I do not trust Lorna Smith. That’s it and that’s all.
It wont be long before yo hear dem gah somebody down deh like the Slow man and the one who paid off dem man’s phone and credit card bills.
Dee
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