Premier hoping for greater relationship with USVI
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has said he is looking to improve the relationship between the British Virgin Islands and the neighbouring United States Virgin Islands (USVI) through the Virgin Islands Council meeting and Friendship Day.
In a recent press conference, Dr Wheatley said he was pleased that many people from the USVI had ventured to the BVI to celebrate the Emancipation festivities.
He noted during that time, the territory was visited by USVI Governor, Albert Bryan and Lieutenant Governor Tregenza Roache.
“Deputy Premier Honourable Kye Rymer and I had the opportunity to meet with Governor Bryan and Lt. Governor Roache in the margins of the festival in which we discussed relations between the US Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands,” Dr Wheatley said.
“Among other things, we agreed that an Inter Virgin Islands Council meeting will take place in September in the USVI, and Friendship Day will take place in mid-October in the BVI,” the Premier added.
He said he wanted to see the respective governments cooperate in various areas that can improve both territories.
“[We] will explore greater cooperation in areas such as disaster response, maritime management, and public health. Of course, we want to see continued participation of the US Virgin Islands in our August Tuesday horse races that are so exciting,” Dr Wheatley said.
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Why? They took all our business.
Cyril King is always going to be a cheap option for US visitors thus we need a red carpet treatment from plane to ferry to WE/RT. USVI immigration extended hours for a later ferry to BVI. In return USVI keeps the air traffic
No, competition is what it is.
But our government completely balled up our tourist product offering, so our clients chose to go where they felt welcome.
Wouldn’t you?
You can thank you so called “leaders” for that.
your enemies!
We gave them all our f business and they willingly accepted it like any sensible business minded Govt would do…we on the other hand have clowns
Election is in the U.S.V.I.on November 8,2022.Now you know, the “GAME is ON”.
USVI/BVI was and always going to be ONE. Over the years there has always been a USVI/BVI Freindship Day because of the tight knit Connection through Ancestral and Economic Values. For those sprewing anger, hate and misinformation, they need to research their historical facts. It’s not all about money, one cannot change History, but improve on Relationships.USVI/BVI only difference is Governance. One US Territory and One UK Territory. Man is who installed the marginal barrier of separation.
for the future but the reality now is the USVI is a much higher quality destination for US tourists than the BVI. The BVI government started the stupid tit for tat war with the USVI during the pandemic years and LOST. No amount of ‘friendship’ BS will overcome that defeat.
You want a greater relationship with everybody and every country who want to dig your eyes out of your head. If you all knew you couldn’t bring solutions and run this country why did you all run for politics? What a weak government and House of Assembly.
The most admirable thing about the BVI is that it was self-reliant and resilient like its people. This unity Government is not what the people wanted.
Agreed. Consider also that the USVI invited the BVI to be part of its pandemic bubble early on during the pandemic but was rebuffed. USVI policies and procedures proved relatively effective, allowing tourism to continue, abeit muted. BVI’s approach (complete isolation, like NZ) did not work out so well.
Also consider that the BVIs medical cabal’s stranglehold on medical wages has discouraged USVI medical specialists (e.g. oncologists) from opening practices in the BVI, forcing BVI patients to travel to the BVIs.
Absurd.
At a crucial time like this, we have a bunch of children running our country who don’t know their head from their foot. All of you Must GO!!
@Anonymous, They didn’t take our business we give it to them.
@Hope, We don’t need people like you.
US TOURISTS are not the preferred commodity.T OOGLY Americans are simply oogly and contaminates positivity.
Amen! Update the ferry and improve the welcoming experience by training the Customs and Immigration agents to act in a more friendly and welcoming way.