Up-and-coming businesses in the Virgin Islands have received a “handshake, not a hand-out” through $200,000 worth of grants, according to government. Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises were praised during a …
September 5, 2025
July 11, 2025
MPs blast VI company register plans, but Smith fires back
In a scathing attack on the Virgin Islands, two British politicians have called for London to take charge of implementing the territory’s new company ownership register to speed progress and …
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June 28, 2025
Grey-listing ‘not a setback,’ Smith claims
The government has scrambled to put a brave face on the news that the Virgin Islands was recently placed on a “grey list” of jurisdictions subject to increased scrutiny by …
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June 19, 2025
VI on ‘grey list,’ but leaders aim to exit in 2 years
In a move that could tarnish the Virgin Islands’ reputation and frustrate its financial sector, a global anti-money-laundering watchdog has added the territory to its list of 24 jurisdictions under …
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June 12, 2025
Walwyn slams premier over $5m Bank of Asia deposit
Government officials should have known that Bank of Asia (BVI) Limited was failing when they deposited more than $5 million of taxpayer money in it earlier this year, Opposition Leader …
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June 6, 2025
Gov’t had $5m in Bank of Asia
Five days after financial regulators’ surprise announcement that they are winding down the Bank of Asia (BVI) Limited, Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley dropped another bombshell on Tuesday in the House …
May 8, 2025
EDITORIAL: $7.25 per hour is not enough
We are disappointed that Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley has decided to sidestep the advice of his own Minimum Wage Advisory Committee and increase the baseline hourly wage only to $7.25 …
April 17, 2025
HOA blasts UK security review as guv stays tight-lipped
A proposal to give the governor sweeping new powers over areas including customs, immigration and financial investigations has been roundly condemned by both sides of the House of Assembly. HOA …
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April 9, 2025
EDITORIAL: ‘Minister of state’ plan is half-baked
Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley appears to be getting ahead of himself in his haste to lure opposition members to the government bench. He should slow down. When announcing recently that …
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March 27, 2025
Skelton: ‘He stabbed me in the front’
A new rift has reopened old wounds in the House of Assembly. Ronnie Skelton said this week that Myron Walwyn “stabbed” him “in the front” to replace him as leader …
March 13, 2025
Lorna Smith crosses aisle again
After less than five months on the opposition, At-Large Representative Lorna Smith has once again crossed the floor in a surprise move that strengthens Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley’s government by …
February 27, 2025
Asia trip hit back at hit job on Virgin Islands, premier says
A top-level trade delegation to the far east has succeeded in combating recent international “media attacks” on the reputation of the territory’s financial services industry, according to Premier Natalio “Sowande” …
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February 6, 2025
Opposition trio launches ‘alliance’
In a cramped room last Thursday morning at Maria’s by the Sea, three opposition members pitched a new solution to the stagnation they said has bogged down both sides of …
January 23, 2025
No-confidence vote still in works
On Friday, opposition members repeated a claim they have been making for four months, insisting that Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley should be ousted over his alleged failure to tackle rising …
January 9, 2025
Throne speech pegged to plan
The first Speech from the Throne in two years emphasised the elected government’s determination to push ahead with the six broad goals laid out in the territory’s National Sustainable Development …
January 6, 2025
Premier blames wage-boost delay on cost-of-living concerns
Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley has acknowledged that low-paid workers were let down by the government’s sudden decision to delay a minimum-wage increase just before Christmas, but he said the planned …
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December 18, 2024
EDITORIAL: Raise the minimum wage already
Government’s recent decision to suddenly postpone the long-planned minimum-wage increase was not acceptable. The $2.50-per-hour increase to $8.50 per hour, approved by the House of Assembly earlier this year, was …
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December 5, 2024
Government to review cost of living
A review of duties on essential items imported into the territory is likely to come soon, according to Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley. Responding recently to concerns about the high cost …
December 5, 2024
Base wage increase delayed
A surprise move this week saw the long-heralded boost to the minimum wage indefinitely delayed without an explanation from Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley. The announcement, which drew fire from the …
November 25, 2024
Lorna Smith launches project series
A painting project, cultural gatherings and tree planting are among the activities planned as part of a community initiative launched this week by opposition member Lorna Smith. The at-large representative, …
November 4, 2024
EDITORIAL: Smooth transition key amid minister shakeup
Sudden shifts in leadership are an occasional feature of any democracy, and dramatic Cabinet reshuffles are not unprecedented in the Virgin Islands. But after the latest shakeup, it is imperative …
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October 24, 2024
Premier fires Lorna Smith
A dramatic shake-up of the government yesterday saw Lorna Smith ousted as deputy premier and opposition member Julian Fraser crossing the floor of the House of Assembly to replace her. …
September 19, 2024
Financial services reforms continue
The House of Assembly suspended its usual rules on Monday to introduce and pass two financial services bills designed to avoid international sanction by bringing the territory in line with …
September 19, 2024
House tackling last COI reform
The House of Assembly began tackling its final Commission of Inquiry reform this week as legislators debated the first of five bills designed to improve the governance of five statutory …
September 4, 2024
12 bills laid days before COI deadline
Two days before the missed Saturday deadline for completing the sweeping reforms recommended by the Commission of Inquiry, the House of Assembly suspended its usual rules to introduce 12 bills. …
