Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE congratulates UK’s Prime Minister Theresa May

Though the appropriate recognitions have already been made, on this day as we celebrate who we are as Virgin Islanders, permit me to once again acknowledge the presence of:

In a letter to the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE conveyed deepest sympathy to the Government and people on the passing of former Prime Minister and Parliamentary Representative for San Fernando East, Honourable Patrick Manning.

Good morning:
I am so pleased to see all of you who have joined us in this annual celebration of Territory Day under the theme “Our Story: The Independent Spirit of our People.” 

In October of 2015, Cabinet reviewed and accepted the Minimum Wage Advisory Committee Report on the proposed new minimum wage; this report was subsequently tabled at the House of Assembly on 2^nd November, 2015. The Attorney General was thereafter requested to draft the legal documentation to formally bring this minimum wage into force which will take effect on 1^st October, 2016. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, as you are keenly aware, the people of the United Kingdom (UK) voted in a referendum on Thursday, June 23 for Britain to leave the European Union (EU) after 43 years of membership. 

Earlier today it was confirmed that the United Kingdom (UK) voted to leave the European Union (EU) in a referendum held on Thursday 23^rd June 2016. 

In the BVI as indeed across the world people have been watching the choice that the people of Britain made yesterday.

Madam Speaker, I wish to present to this Honourable House an update on the plans for the additional year in the education system. 

It is often said that “success is not a destination, but rather a journey”.