Premier plans visits to other OTs for collaboration
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has revealed plans to visit several other Overseas Territories (OTs) to strengthen relationships and explore areas of collaboration following the recent Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) meeting.
In a recent interview with Communications Director Karia Christopher, posted on the government’s Facebook page, Wheatley discussed how he intends to extend his engagement with other OTs beyond the JMC.
“The Premier for Anguilla was in the BVI not too long ago to look at our Border Management System, having discussions about a merger between Customs and Immigration,” Dr. Wheatley explained. He also noted his recent trip to Anguilla, where he plans to return to study their tax system.
“I went to the Cayman Islands to explore a merger between Customs and Immigration,” he continued. “I plan to visit Turks and Caicos to see how they handle certain areas like pensions and their tax system as well.”
Wheatley also mentioned that the Premiers of these territories are expected to visit the BVI in return. He emphasised the strong relationships he maintains with all the OTs, highlighting that the Premiers had met ahead of the JMC in the UK.
The Premier also reflected on the significance of the JMC, which provides a platform for the OTs to engage collectively with the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). He noted that bilateral meetings with the Minister for the Overseas Territories, Stephen Doughty, allow for discussions on territory-specific issues, including governance reform, the fight against illicit finance, and building climate resilience.
In his interview, Dr Wheatley stressed the importance of addressing regional security challenges, such as irregular migration, human smuggling, and the trafficking of drugs and firearms. He called for increased support from the UK in tackling these issues.
The Premier reassured residents that the government remains committed to securing a strong relationship between the UK and the Virgin Islands, as well as with other OTs, ensuring that the territory’s interests are represented and addressed at the highest levels through the JMC.
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For the love of God – can you not discuss by video conference, or view their laws and systems by reading? Why do you have to travel everywhere at great expense, with a contingent of God knows how many?
We are hurting here! We want change, efficiency, accountability, and results! You, Sir, have achieved none of these!
SO FRUSTRATED, and NOTHING changes!!!!!!!!!!
a former deputy premiers is spitting rage at not being invited on any of these trips!
Don’t be so hard on her – she is organising little pick up in the BVI and demanding a Govt vehicle to take her there and back.
Of course he is , our traveling premier. Spends more time traveling away than he does working here.
Travelling anointing is what he has…lol
nah he heard about the other OT’s lavished tourism products and want to experience it on our money.
Seems he wants to be anywhere but the BVI.
In terms of “independent” Caribbean islands, the Prime Minister of Dominica visited the BVI some months ago, but the purpose of his visit was never revealed.
I have placed the word “independent” in inverted commas because independence in the Caribbean isn’t all it’s made out to be.
Roger Burnett
Commonwealth of Dominica
Mr Priemer you to to learn from ot countries how to build proper roads and constant supply of water.
Easier than trying to get to work on his own roads.
… in order to clarify, Dominica is now subject to effective Chinese rule!
I didn’t make the clarification that appears under my name, albeit that it can be said to be true.
Would the person responsible for the clarification please have the courage to post under his/her own name.
Roger Burnett
Pitcairn Island – Don’t come back
Well, it’s so hard to get around Tortola right now you might as well travel off-island.
He has realised, like many of our previous valuable visitors, that if you are going to be anywhere in the Caribbean it should no longer be the VI. Hope like his predecessor he does not come back from his travels.