During a series of public meetings held over several days, residents got a chance to weigh in on potential government plans to create an immigration policy, amend the Immigration and …
October 23, 2023
October 17, 2023
Virgin Gorda dialysis unit may not be cost effective
In recent years, government officials have promised to set up a dialysis unit on Virgin Gorda so that the island’s residents won’t have to travel to Tortola regularly to get …
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October 17, 2023
Virgin Islands returns to Monaco Yacht Show
Officials on Friday touted their recent visit to the 32nd annual Monaco Yacht Show and reiterated their intention to continue marketing the territory as a destination for the world’s most …
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October 17, 2023
Labour policy now in works, deputy premier says
Government is working to create a new labour policy that will address issues including rising unemployment in the territory, according to Deputy Premier Lorna Smith. Ms. Smith — who is …
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October 17, 2023
Leaked report details healthcare crisis on sister islands
Sharon-Flax Brutus, a resident of Virgin Gorda, vividly remembers lying on a boat and travelling to Tortola for emergency medical help while going through a miscarriage and thinking, “I hope …
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October 12, 2023
What to know about belongership review as meetings start
Last year, the Commission of Inquiry report recommended a review designed in part to clarify a controversial question in the Virgin Islands: How many years must an expatriate live here …
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October 6, 2023
Q2 incorporations hit 23-year low
Company incorporations dropped sharply in the second quarter of this year, continuing a downward trend that could see 2023 set a two-decade record by underperforming successive 20-year lows in 2019 …
October 5, 2023
Shipping Registry set to become statutory body
Legislators recently passed two bills designed to achieve their longstanding goal of replacing the Virgin Islands Shipping Registry with a new statutory body separate from central government. “Today, we propose …
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October 5, 2023
Paraquita desal plant to be handed over in 2030
The Paraquita Bay water plant will be handed over to government in November 2030, according to Communications and Works Minister Kye Rymer. Mr. Rymer provided updates on the facility while …
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September 29, 2023
Four House of Assembly committees appointed
Legislators approved appointments to four House of Assembly committees last week, but after a heated debate they failed to appoint a fifth as planned. Scheduled appointments to the Services Committee, …
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September 22, 2023
Government looks abroad to hire health workers
At a time when the territory is struggling with a shortage of doctors and nurses, government is recruiting health professionals from the United Kingdom and working to develop a comprehensive …
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September 22, 2023
Trade Commission still not operational
Although a board was appointed in May to oversee the new Trade Commission, the statutory body has not started functioning due to longstanding delays caused by a shortage of human …
September 22, 2023
Huntums Ghut centre promised soon
After years of delays, the government’s Economic Zone project in Huntums Ghut is nearing completion, according to Communications and Works Minister Kye Rymer. “As of September 2023, the project is …
September 21, 2023
Legislators walk back ‘Greedy Bill’
Legislators voted Tuesday to walk back a controversial 2021 law that dramatically upped their compensation package by allowing them to continue receiving their full salary for up to four years …
September 18, 2023
Banks had 530 bad loans in Q1
There were 530 non-performing loans across seven banks that operate in the territory as of the first quarter of the year, according to Deputy Premier Lorna Smith. She provided the …
September 14, 2023
Palm Grove project bogs down
Government still aims to rebuild the Palm Grove Shopping Centre, but it is currently in talks with leaseholders who operated on the property before it was destroyed by Hurricane Irma, …
September 7, 2023
Government Irma recovery plods on
During the eye of Hurricane Irma on Sept. 6, 2017, senior government officials in charge of the disaster response were forced to evacuate the very building that was supposed to …
September 7, 2023
Belongership report now complete
A review of belongership and residency is complete, and a report will be tabled in the House of Assembly soon, according to Premier’s Office Permanent Secretary Carolyn Stoutt-Igwe. The update …
September 5, 2023
Chamber of Commerce rebrands
During an hour-long ceremony last week, the former BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association formally announced its rebranding. It is now simply the BVI Chamber of Commerce after officially …
August 30, 2023
Government in talks on global tax
Even though the government doesn’t expect the planned Global Minimum Tax to adversely affect the Virgin Islands’ financial services sector, discussions are ongoing with the industry in order to ensure …
August 20, 2023
RDA re-tendering West End ferry terminal
The Recovery and Development Agency is re-tendering the West End ferry terminal project after disqualifying all nine firms that attempted to prequalify in a previous tender process launched in May. …
August 17, 2023
Gazetted Schedule of Additional Provisions details $15 million in extra spending
A recently Gazetted Schedule of Additional Provisions includes details about the extra $15 million in new spending approved by the House of Assembly during a July 13 sitting. The SAP …
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August 16, 2023
Children’s author crowned Miss BVI
When Anika Christopher took the stage to introduce herself at the Miss BVI Pageant, she wore a headpiece representing a Virgin Islands sloop and carried a bright red sail depicting …
August 3, 2023
Airport closures blamed on ‘growing pains’
Increased air traffic has strained staffing at the territory’s airports in recent months and led to unexpected closures, Communications and Works Minister Kye Rymer said last Thursday during a joint …
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August 3, 2023
17-member delegation visits Guyana
Deputy Premier Lorna Smith is leading a 17-member delegation on a trade mission designed to strengthen ties between the Virgin Islands and Guyana. The mission’s “packed agenda” — which is …