BVI Premier and Opposition Speak about UK Amendments

After the discussions with the UK parliamentarians concerning the controversial amendments to the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Bill, BVI Premier Dr Orlando Smith made the statement where he said: “Be in no doubt, that if the UK Parliament proceeds with seeking to impose public registers on the British Virgin Islands, this could fundamentally alter our relationship with the UK and we will take all necessary steps to protect our constitutional rights.”

In his turn, the Opposition Leader Andrew Fahie agreed that this is a “constitutional overreach”, and said that the Opposition and Premier “stand united on protecting the constitutional rights of the British Virgin Islands.” 

The UK amendments impose the requirement for its Overseas Territories including the British Virgin Islands to make public the names of beneficial owners of offshore companies incorporated in the jurisdictions. This could bring harm to the financial services sector which is so important to the BVI, comprising about 60 percent of its annual revenue.

In another press release, the BVI Premier noted that the BVI will not impose public registers unless they are a global standard.