A preliminary economic study examining the cruise industry’s impacts in the Caribbean will be presented this week at a conference in St. Maarten, according to Communications and Works Minister Kye …
In five years, NHI paid five providers $90m
On Friday in the House of Assembly, Health and Social Development Minister Vincent Wheatley disclosed the amounts the National Health Insurance programme paid to the top five local healthcare providers …
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Seven of 52 homes sold at Joes Hill
More than two years after the Social Security Board began marketing the 52 homes at its Joes Hill Manor Estate development, seven have been sold and another seven sales are …
Premier meets with London rep at UN
Following the United Nations’ recent adoption of a “Pact for the Future” to further sustainable development and other global goals, Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley met last week with a …
Quito’s to keep its groove after rebrand, say new owners
Quito’s Luxury Inn and Gazebo Restaurant are being formally relaunched under new names after they were purchased by a company chaired by Virgin Islands businessman Mark Vanterpool. The accommodation side …
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Beef Island flights taking off
Another regional airline has announced new routes to and from the Virgin Islands, further boosting the territory’s expanding connections to the rest of the Caribbean and beyond. The Haiti-headquartered carrier …
Opposition pushes protest to oust government
Opposition Leader Ronnie Skelton has called for a mass show of public support tomorrow morning at the House of Assembly to back a motion of no confidence in the government. …
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Nanny Cay plans major expansion
Representatives from Nanny Cay continued making their case to residents last Thursday for a $30-$40 million expansion that they hope to complete within three years after they receive the green …
US storms could disrupt shipping here
Extreme weather hitting the United States on the back of a major port strike along the country’s eastern seaboard will likely disrupt shipping in the Virgin Islands in the coming …
Premier defends $100m borrow
Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley has hit back at opposition criticism of a $100 million loan designed to boost the government’s long-delayed recovery from the hurricanes of 2017. His comments …
Lobster Festival to set restaurant record
Seafood, music, family games and more will be on offer at a record 13 restaurants this year at the 12th annual Anegada Lobster Festival, organisers announced. “We are excited about …
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Artificial intelligence may help crack down on money crime
The BVI Financial Investigation Agency may soon use artificial intelligence to crack down on child sexual exploitation, human smuggling and other illicit activity as it intensifies its efforts following recent …
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Skelton: pay flub may cost $19 million
Opposition Leader Ronnie Skelton warned this week that government’s accidental overspend on public service pay raises could cost $19 million instead of the $13 million previously estimated by Premier Dr. …
Reform target just missed before talks in London
A last-minute rush brought more progress on the Commission of Inquiry reforms last week, but Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley said he fell one short of his push to complete …
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First-half tourism record driven by cruise ships
The first six months of 2024 set a tourism record, bringing the most visitor arrivals of any first half in Virgin Islands history and causing Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley …
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Shipping regulator now a statutory body
The Virgin Islands Shipping Registry is no more. In its place as of last Thursday is a new statutory body called the VI Shipping and Maritime Authority. “We are excited …
Virgin Islands urged to match other OTs on company registers
The Virgin Islands could face an economic hit if it does not keep pace with other overseas territories as they expand access to their company registers in the coming months, …
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Virgin Islands heading for intense financial scrutiny, experts predict
The Virgin Islands is headed for increasingly intense international scrutiny despite a government drive to push through a raft of anti-financial-crime measures in the coming weeks, experts have warned. Deputy …
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New VI flights will help boost business, carrier claims
Caribbean Airlines plans to launch new routes connecting the Virgin Islands to Trinidad, Barbados, Antigua and Puerto Rico starting on Oct. 14. Using ATR 72-600 aircraft that carry about 70 …
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Social aid budget under review
As part of ongoing efforts to reform assistance programmes in the territory, the Ministry of Health and Social Development has launched a “fiscal space analysis” to assess the current budget …
Minimum wage to jump to $8.50
The minimum wage in the Virgin Islands will soon increase to $8.50 an hour, Deputy Premier Lorna Smith announced today. The new baseline salary will come into effect on Nov. …
Premier rules out fully public company register
The government will not permit “uninhibited” access to information about companies registered in the Virgin Islands despite previous promises to implement a public register of beneficial ownership, Premier Dr. Natalio …
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Stamp duty waiver extended again
A stamp duty tax break brought in during the Covid crisis is to be extended for another year after saving first-time belonger property buyers about $1.5 million over the past …
BVIEC mum on cost of 3-year fuel deal
Despite weeks of requests from the Beacon, the BVI Electricity Corporation has withheld basic details of a major fuel deal signed recently with SOL St. Lucia Limited. The utility, which …
Blistering review blasts law enforcers
Police and prison holding facilities described as “squalid” and “inhumane.” Evidence left unsecured on police officers’ desks in a “chaotic” manner. An unsafe police gun range where shooting drills occur …