BVI Governor Speaks on BVI Government Legislative Agenda

BVI Governor John Duncan has delivered his speech at the first sitting of the second session of the third House of Assembly of the BVI themed "Securing Our Future" where he outlined specific focus areas for the BVI government. These included improving social services, strengthening educational sector, border protection, enhancing law, order and public safety, stimulating the economy, infrastructural development, and public sector reforms.

The Governor's speech from the throne, covering legislative agenda of the BVI government, is traditional in Commonwealth countries and British Overseas territories. It is used by the government to set its legislative programme for the upcoming year, and is prepared by the government on behalf of the Queen. 

John Duncan became the 16th governor of the British Virgin Islands on August 15, 2014, and his first speech from the throne address was delivered on November 10, 2014.

New Public-Private Organization Launched in BVI Financial Services

The new entity is to be launched in the beginning of 2017, which will take over from the existing BVI Finance the functions of supporting financial services promotion and business development in the British Virgin Islands. BVI Finance Limited is a new public/private initiative and part of government programme that has the purpose to strengthen the financial services industry.

BVI Finance Limited will have a fundamentally new corporate structure, and will be more flexible and autonomous as the marketing and promotional tool of the financial services industry. It will be responsible for promoting financial services as an industry to customers, intermediaries and regulators abroad, and for developing new business opportunities. The objectives of the new organization include co-ordinating efforts of all main private sector stakeholders within financial services.

BVI and USVI Common Issues Discussed at IVIC Meeting

The delegations of government officials of the British Virgin Islands and US Virgin Islands discussed the areas of mutual interest during the seventh meeting of the Inter Virgin Islands Council (IVIC) which was held in St Thomas on September 2. The BVI delegation was led by BVI Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr Orlando Smith, and the USVI delegation was led by the jurisdiction's governor, Kenneth E. Mapp.

During the meeting the committees presented reports on law enforcement, tourism, energy and utilities, education, and other areas. It was decided to hold regular annual meetings, strengthen their capacity building efforts, improve information exchange, and reach more co-operation on public information outreach efforts. Speaking about the results of the meeting, USVI governor stated that the territories should continue to work together on their mutual interests, and find resolutions. 

The Inter-Virgin Islands Council was established on 29 May, 2004, with signing a joint memorandum of understanding. The first meeting of the Council was held in April 2005. The next IVIC meeting will take place on October 6, 2017, in the British Virgin Islands.