Good day and God’s blessing to all of you and my heartfelt prayer that you remain safe and secure in these special times. The Government of the Virgin Islands and the entire Public Service has been exceptionally busy these past weeks to secure the health and well-being of our people. At the same time, we have been focused on securing our economy.

The International Tax Authority (“ITA”) following the announcement made by the Government is activating its business continuity plan during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. As a result, the ITA expects to maintain its operational frameworks and meet its international obligations. Confidentiality and data safeguards remain critical for the ITA’s functioning and strict security measures will continue to apply to all remote working.

The British Virgin Islands London Office has been closely monitoring the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the United Kingdom (UK) and wider Europe.

BVI Finance is pleased to announce four new appointments to its board following its 4^th Annual General Meeting on 28 January 2020. 

The Premier and Minister of Finance of the British Virgin Islands, Hon. Andrew A. Fahie, hosted a successful Financial Services Business Solutions Forum alongside BVI Finance on Tuesday 28^th January, signalling the Premier’s ongoing commitment to the industry.

The Government of the Virgin Islands in collaboration with BVI Finance Ltd. will host a Solution Forum on Tuesday, January 28 at Maria’s by the Sea from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Government of the Virgin Islands will engage members of the Financial Services Industry to help provide solutions on how Government’s support services and policies can be improved to better support the industry.

On the evening of December 5, BVI House Asia hosted its annual end of year event under the theme “BVI Festival for Christmas,” to celebrate the close of the year and thank the Financial Services Industry for its ongoing support of the British Virgin Islands as a jurisdiction. The widely attended event was hosted by outgoing Director, Mrs. Sherri Ortiz, and incoming Director, Dr. Ricardo Wheatley at the world class Murray Hotel in Central Hong Kong.  More than 140 guests and friends from the Financial Services Industry were in attendance, as well as a VIP delegation from the British Virgin Islands Government including the Hon Vincent Wheatley (Deputy Premier and Minster of Natural Resources & Labour), Dr. Cassandra Titley-O'Neal (Director of National Parks Trust of the Virgin Islands), and Ms. Lynette Harrigan, (Niche Marketing Manager of the BVI Tourist Board).

On December 2, BVI House Asia hosted an in-house visit by the BVI’s Mrs. Globe International Pageant delegation, led by former Mrs. BVI Globe Alicia Green now BVI Director, as they transited to mainland China through the city of Hong Kong to attend the competition. Mrs. British Virgin Islands, Shondrea N. Turnbull, is representing the BVI in the 2019 edition of the Mrs. Globe International Pageant (November 29-December 7), hosted by the Southern Chinese tech-city of Shenzhen. The delegation, comprised of friends, family, and government officials travelled to China in support of Shondrea’s bid for the crown.

The Government of the Virgin Islands is exploring the prospect   of the BVI being a hub for Financial Technology.