BVI News

Premier keen on pushing agro-trade in OECS

Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has expressed that the BVI should strengthen its ties with its partners in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) by participating in agricultural trade, among other things.

In an address during the opening ceremony of the 72nd Meeting of the OECS Authority, Premier Wheatley said there are obvious areas on which the territory remains engaged with the OECS. He said these include regional transportation and tourism. Dr Wheatley said there is also an interest for the BVI to deepen its functional cooperation with the body.

“We are keen to strengthen trade in agricultural goods between the Virgin Islands and our partners in the Eastern Caribbean,” Dr Wheatley said.

He explained that this would help to satisfy the demand in the BVI’s economy for healthier and more affordable food options.

But the Premier said the big challenge in all of this would be getting more frequent shipping options at more reasonable rates to deliver these goods.

“We are ready to work with the OECS on what can be done in this regard,” the Premier said.

While turning his attention to matters further afield, Premier Wheatley said the BVI wants to also be fully involved in possible OECS south-to-south cooperation arrangements with emerging economies.

He pointed to the African Trade and Investment Summit held in Barbados last month, and said this highlighted many of the opportunities that were available for trade between the African continent and the Caribbean.

“The Virgin Islands stands ready to work through the OECS to build trade linkages with Africa in the financial services space. There is no reason why our subregion cannot be the conduit for channeling investment into and out of Africa,” Dr Wheatley said.

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8 Comments

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  1. Carrot Bay says:

    So what inspiration this man giving the farmers of the BVI? Depend on outside food again so when another disaster comes we hungry for ever. Like he read Pickering play book to kill argriculture again!!

  2. Reality Check says:

    If the Territory truly wants to be connected and develop trade it needs to become a full member of CARICOM, which would allow exporting to the other Caribbean countries without tariffs or taxes. Yes, we would have to allow Caribbean products imports duty free, but talking trade and meaning just one way means the Premier had another vacation at our expense. He needs to get back to work sorting his government’s messes and stop these useless trips when he has no ability to follow through on anything he says!

    Like 11
  3. THAT SCRIPT says:

    REM , THOSE PUPPETS WERE TRAINED TO READ FROM THE SCRIPT ,EVEN THE CUBAN THROW AGRICULTURE IN THE GABBAGE , THEN THE COACH HAD A BRILLIANTLY DIFFERENT VIBE SO HE WROTE ( WEED ) ON THE SCRIPT / SO ITS IMPORT VEGETABLES AND EXPORT HIS HOLY WEED ? OH , COCAINE IS A DIFFERENT KIND OF RODEO

  4. Me says:

    When the boy open his mouth I does wonder if his brains is some other part of body than his head.He came VG clear off land put a container to fool the people.Up to now he vincent shereen cant tell us s**t going forward

  5. Smhh says:

    Can’t even push for us to get water up here in paraquita bay you going push for that!!!! you & Theodore James need to get out & put someone who is serious to help us!

  6. Clueless says:

    Sounds clueless to me.

  7. @smh says:

    I agree 100%

  8. The Poli.Farmer says:

    That is your biggest problem sir, you fail to acknowledge the resources here at home! Get ready to give that portfolio up to Mr Caul.

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