Cabinet gave the go-ahead at the end of October for government to negotiate a development agreement for Norman Island with Dr. Henry Jarecki, the island’s owner, according to a report …
InterCaribbean errors cause delays across region
A series of snafus with interCaribbean Airways has reportedly caused delays, missing luggage and serious inconveniences for airline passengers in recent weeks. Over the weekend, scores of people commented on …
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United Kingdom to update ‘offshore compliance strategy’
United Kingdom Chancellor Philip Hammond delivered the UK’s autumn budget to Parliament last week, touching on several points designed to further regulate offshore finance. One of the budget’s initiatives is …
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Former Myett’s workers sue for severance
A dozen former employees of Myett’s are suing the company’s owners for refusing to provide them with severance or notice pay after their jobs were made redundant in the wake …
Scrub is back, with full reopening set for Dec. 19
Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina announced a “grand opening” this month after sustaining extensive damage during the passage of Hurricane Irma last year. The announcement means the resort will …
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BVICCHA elects new board of directors
Members of the BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association ratified a new board of directors last week and outlined some of the organisation’s goals for the future, including increasing …
Appleby: Offshore deal value on the rise in 2018
Deals targeting companies in offshore jurisdictions saw a massive rise in value in the first half of 2018, according to a new report from the international law firm Appleby. The …
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Rooftop tapas, homegrown vegetables and brunch
This article originally appeared in the Beacon’s Sept. 6 “Irma Anniversary” edition. Though Irma’s destruction is still visible throughout Road Town, the capital’s new culinary choices don’t reflect the spartan lifestyle often …
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Government hires UK lawyer in attempt to avoid EU blacklist
The government is paying a tax lawyer in London up to $400,000 to try to derive a legislative solution that will keep the territory off the European Union’s tax-avoidance blacklist …
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The Wellness Center expands to medical services
The Wellness Center Behavioral Health Clinic officially expanded its services last month to offer medical care in conjunction with its existing psychosocial support services. Dr. Sharlon Lewis, who previously worked …
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Legislators squabble over consumer protection delay
Virgin Islands residents hoping for additional consumer protection safeguards this hurricane season are likely to be disappointed as House of Assembly members squabble about who is to blame for the …
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National Bank offers ‘Fast Passes’ to sister island residents
The National Bank of the Virgin Islands plans to offer “Fast Passes” to sister island residents so they can skip the normal lines while doing their banking on Tortola. NBVI …
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High earners to get work permits faster, government says
Expatriates making more than $100,000 a year will soon be able to process their work permits much faster than lower-earning employees, according to Government Information Services. The “executive work permit …
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Duty exemptions extended for those who suffered storm losses
Anyone who suffered damages during last year’s hurricane season will be permitted to import certain goods for another month and a half without paying a customs duty, according a remission …
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Scotiabank customers criticise bank’s abrupt wave of account closures
A handful of Scotiabank (BVI) Limited customers were forced to scramble for alternative banking options after the Canada-based bank launched a wave of sudden account closures at the end of …
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Policy in the works to aid small businesses
When Lenette Lewis launched Sageroots, an organic home and skincare product business, she found some of the initial stages of starting her business frustrating. A biologist by training, Ms. Lewis …
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Youths at job fair see struggles ahead
N’Khoy Stoutt listened intently as Akeem Lennard described his business. “Glass makes up 15 percent of our waste stream right now and it takes over 2,000 years for glass to …
Premier talks up finance industry across Asia
The Virgin Islands government is close to entering into an official relationship with China’s largest association for small and medium-sized enterprises “for the development of a trading platform,” according to …
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Chalwell buys largest locally owned ship in region
Road Town passersby may have witnessed a new crane-equipped container ship docked at the western edge of Port Purcell earlier this month. In February, Clyde Chalwell, the owner of the …
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VI property deals rebounding in 2018, lawyer says
Despite last year’s catastrophes, the local property market is doing well in terms of transactions, according to Paul Mellor, a senior associate at Harneys who specialises in property matters. “While …
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VI government hires lawyers to mull registers challenge
The Virgin Islands government has contracted legal counsel to advise on a potential challenge to the United Kingdom Parliament’s recent public registers decision, according to Premier Dr. Orlando Smith. A …
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Social Security Board tells workers to check payment status
The Social Security Board is again reminding employees to check the status of the SSB contributions their employers have made on their behalf. Sometimes employers fail to report accurate salaries …
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Premier gets behind planned Norman Island development
Premier Dr. Orlando Smith supports Dr. Henry Jarecki’s plan to develop Norman Island. In a message delivered to the Beacon last week through government Communications Director Arliene Penn, Dr. Smith said …
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Cryptocurrencies slump after VI trading platform requests tax info
The prices of some of the world’s most high-profile cryptocurrencies have dropped significantly in the past two weeks due in part to cooperation between a cryptocurrency trading platform and the …
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Arbitration Centre processing first dispute
The BVI International Arbitration Centre is processing its first Virgin Islands-based arbitral dispute, according to BVIIAC CEO Francois Lassalle. The case, which landed on the centre’s desk at the end …
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