Premier eyes new ties with Brazil, Canada
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley recently gave an update on his most recent international trip to the CARICOM Heads of Government meeting in Guyana, saying he used the opportunity to seek out new opportunities with countries like Canada and Brazil.
The territory’s leader said he discussed opportunities for tourism and the marine sector with Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
“The deliberations with President Lula were warm and friendly and both sides committed to strengthening the partnership between Brazil and CARICOM. The areas identified for cooperation were regional security, transportation, infrastructure, sustainable development, climate change, global governance, and trade,” the Premier stated at a recent press conference.
He added: “For the Virgin Islands, we are particularly keen on establishing tourism links with Brazil, especially sailing and the wider marine sector. Brazil is the biggest market in Latin America and we need to tap their market as we diversify our tourism source markets.”
The Premier also said he participated in a trilateral meeting with UK Overseas Territories Minister David Rutley and Canada Minister for International Development Ahmed Hussen, where he explored opportunities for infrastructural advancement in the BVI.
“We discussed cooperation between the Virgin Islands and UK and Virgin Islands and Canada in the areas of tourism, trade, infrastructure, research and development cooperation, which was very positive. I will be following up on these discussions to see where there are opportunities from which the Virgin Islands can benefit,” the leader said.
Premier Wheatley has been facing criticism for Cabinet’s international trips, which many think are excessive in light of the many challenges and budgetary constraints the territory is facing.
In response to critics, the Premier continues to maintain that international travel is vital, as it gives the government an opportunity to interface with key decision makers who can bring new opportunities to the BVI.
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Maybe regional travel for 2 people to CARICOM meetings is proportional; but using tax-payers money to pay for 4/5 people to attend the Monaco Yacht Show was a disgrace.
Love it!
Keep on traveling Premier as I am sure the roads and infrastructure is a LOT BETTER wherever you are flying FIRST CLASS!
So instead of looking for help with infrastructure from UVI St. Thomas which is close and has good road ways. Or making a government run construction company that strictly works and maintains the roads. We should look for help from Canadians? How does any of it make sense?
This man got energy for everything except the issues we want him to address here in BVI.
Looking for another excuse to travel first class on our dollar.
The BVI is on a destruction course with captain Natalio Wheatley at the controls, people is time for a muntrie.
All BS talk
Total BS.
People shaking their heads in disbelief that they give this individual their votes to work for them and have yet to see any manestification.
What crack is this man smoking? We busy destroying the marine markets we have had for decades while off seeking ones that don’t exist.
This guy is a black Joe Biden.
NATALIO WAKE UP THE SHIP IS SINKING