VI delegation wraps up Latin America trade mission
A Virgin Islands delegation led by Junior Minister for Financial Services Lorna Smith OBE has concluded a week-long trade mission to Latin America, which sought to strengthen business partnerships and promote the Territory’s financial services sector.
The mission, held from 27 to 31 October, included stops in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina. It featured discussions with regional business leaders and financial professionals on cross-border trade, investment, and compliance with global regulatory standards.
Smith was joined by Kenneth Baker, Managing Director of the BVI Financial Services Commission, and Elise Donovan, Chief Executive Officer of BVI Finance. The delegation’s visit highlighted the Territory’s commitment to maintaining a trusted and transparent international business environment.
In São Paulo, Brazil, the delegation hosted a reception at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, where discussions centred on how recent government reforms have enhanced legal certainty and improved regulatory oversight.
The team then travelled to Montevideo, Uruguay, to meet with family offices and asset managers. There, officials underscored the Virgin Islands’ reputation for offering secure and responsible financial services, supported by strong legal and institutional frameworks.
In Buenos Aires, Smith met with representatives from STEP Buenos Aires and Untitled Strategic Legal Consulting (SLC) to discuss beneficial ownership, BVI corporate structures, and emerging virtual asset legislation. She noted that Latin America accounts for roughly 25 percent of the Virgin Islands’ beneficial ownership register, adding that engagement across the southern region remains a priority.
“The Latin American market has consistently demonstrated a deep understanding of and respect for legitimate financial structures,” Smith said.
Baker added that stakeholders showed “great interest in our legitimate interest access policies and public register issues,” and emphasised that maintaining international compliance remains key to the jurisdiction’s credibility.
The Buenos Aires leg concluded with networking events hosted by the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners and industry expert Martin Litwak of Untitled SLC.
Smith described the overall visit as “highly productive and rewarding,” noting that it reaffirmed the Virgin Islands’ role as “a trusted global partner to entrepreneurs, family offices, and institutional investors across Latin America.”
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Persons in South America are not sure what the purpose of the boat was, but were grateful for that so many 5 star hotel rooms, and expensive restaurants, were booked and paid for by the BVI tax payers.
Everybody flew first class.
No evidence of any business being generated for the BVI.
They have been going for years and has made no headway in bringing additional business to the BVI. It started when Orlando Smith was in office and they still have nothing to show other that frequent flyer miles.
Clearly a very important visit because he put a jacket on top of his white tee shirt, jeans and running shoes!
Looks like a meeting with a couple of high level homeless people.
Flogging our business of hiding beneficial ownership of corrupt funds in BVI companies.
Assuring them that if you want $5Million dollars to disappear from prying eyes the VI Government backed Financial services is the place.
“SO SECRET WE USE THEM OURSELVES.”
Looks like a meeting with a couple of high level homeless people.
Flogging our business of hiding beneficial ownership of corrupt funds in BVI companies.
Assuring them that if you want $5Million dollars to disappear from prying eyes the VI Government backed Financial services is the place.
“SO SECRET WE USE THEM TO HELP OURSELVES.” Lorna added.
Our Punchy global message is that our combination of SECRET Goverance and SECRET companies is hard to beat. “In that, we are out on our own – separate, isolated, independent.” he added.
This is why this woman can’t retire, why not send some young people on these trips and have them do more than man the Booth so we can retire this woman.
If there is one thing you can count on when reading messages posted on these sites BVIslanders tearing each other down. The divided and conquer mentality lives on. We are not a community who supports its win at all. That’s why blacks will always be last.
Tear Down.
Let’s talk about who’s really tearing down BVIslanders.
When she and K are selective about who they hire at the Financial Services Commission — that’s a tear down.
When she allows non-locals to run Labour and Trade, deciding who gets a business licence while sidelining BVIslanders — that’s a tear down.
When she once campaigned against Natalio, calling him and his team “children,” yet later joined forces with them when it suited her — ensuring that only she and her brothers benefit from this country — that’s a tear down.
When Lorna creates a ministry that violates international core principles and will likely be flagged in the next IMF review — that’s a tear down.
When she protects the NHI system to secure the millions her brother receives annually, knowing full well it needs major reform — that’s a tear down.
The public is overpaying for an NHI service that fails to deliver and forces many to buy supplemental insurance just to access proper care. Many BVIslanders have lost coverage because they can’t afford the payments. The service has fallen so low that people are forced to start GoFundMe campaigns to pay for critical medical procedures — while ministers who received double pay without advising the public of their dastardly deeds including Lorna, ignore their pleas. Then, when those same people die, they post “Rest in Peace.” The government even chooses selectively who receives funeral assistance through Social Services.
And now, with Lorna and her family appearing on Offshore Alert — a publication that highlights international financial crimes — our financial services industry is being dragged through the mud. Yet, she remains at the forefront of BVIFSC, traveling through South America as if nothing has happened.
If this were the UK, she would have been sacked and likely jailed long ago.
So tell me — who’s really tearing down BVIslanders?
@@sad: It’s clear you have an axe to grind with the Minister. Why not call her and tell how you feel. Better yet, why not write her a letter rather than tearing her down on this forum.
The truth always hurts.