The BVI Government’s Representative Office in Hong Kong Celebrated its 10 Year Anniversary having opened its doors in 2013-2014 as a shared space with the with BVI Financial Services Commission Representative Office. Opening some 11 years after BVI’s London Office, its opening was a watershed moment in the modern history of the Virgin Islands, extending the BVI Government’s management of its own economic interests beyond the Caribbean, Europe, and North America into the Asia-Pacific.

By 2011, BVI’s total active incorporated entities had surpassed 450,000 annually, continuing to rise dramatically on a monthly basis with the emergence of China & the Asia-Pacific as BVI’s largest financial services market. By necessity this rapid expansion demanded a localized BVI presence in the region and upon returning to elected office, then Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr. the Hon. D. Olrando Smith, OBE under the dual advisement of Dr. Robert Mathavious, OBE (BVI Financial Services Commission Managing Director & CEO), & Mrs. Lorna G. Smith, OBE (Director of BVI’s International Financial Centre), opened BVI’s Hong Kong Representative Offices in 2013-2014. Hong Kong was strategically and practically chosen as the office location given its linkage and proximity to the Chinese market and its expansive network of law firms & corporate service providers specialized in BVI business.

For a decade, the Hong Kong Office has played an indispensable role in the promotion of BVI Financial Services in the Asia-Pacific serving as a focal point of contact for practitioners, clients, governments, regulators, and a host of stakeholders critical to the sale of BVI’s products in the region. The office staff has served as liaisons for Virgin Islanders and BVI businesses traversing China & the Asia-Pacific for tourism, employment, trade, business, conferences, and educational exchanges. Additionally, visa, transport, and logistical support have been key services provided both to Virgin Islanders and to Asian clientele traveling to and from the Territory. In 2021, the role of the office expanded into socio-cultural & educational engagement with the establishment of the BVI’s Asia Abroad Scholarship Programme, providing BVI students the opportunity for both undergraduate & post graduate studies across developed Asia. Some six (6) Virgin Islanders have undertaken full-time studies at both the Bachelor’s and Master’s level in 2024.

 In recognition and celebration of the 10 Year Anniversary, the BVI Government hosted a Financial Services Industry reception of some 175 guests including industry stakeholders & practitioners as well as foreign & local government dignitaries in Hong Kong at the Island Shangrila Hotel. High ranking BVI officials in attendance were the former Deputy Premier & Minister of Financial Services, the Honourable Lorna Smith (OBE), Ms. Ayana Glasgow (Executive Director of International Business), Dr. Ricardo Wheatley (Director - BVI Hong Kong Office), Ms. Siobhan Flax (Deputy Director – BVI Hong Kong Office), Mr. Glenford Malone (FSC Deputy Managing Director), Mr. Shane Baptiste (FSC Hong Kong Office Representative), and Ms. Elise Donovan (CEO-BVI Finance).

Present and past Hong Kong Directors/Representatives of the BVI Government and FSC Offices were all recognized including Dr. Ricardo Wheatley (sitting Director), Ms. Sherrie Ortiz-Fahie, Ms. Elise Donovan, the Honourable Lorna Smith, OBE, Mr. Shane Baptise (sitting Representative), Mr. Burton Challwell, Mr. Leon Wheatley, Ms. Michelle Todaman-Smith, and Mr. Kenneth Baker.  In honour of the occasion, BVI Premier & Minister of Finance, Dr. the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley forwarded special remarks extending “…special thanks and congratulations on behalf of the Government of the Virgin Islands to all office Directors, Representatives, and Staff who have served abroad faithfully in Hong Kong over the last 10 years to ensure the offices’ long-term success in both function and accomplishments. You have represented your country well as true patriots and are owed an immense debt of gratitude by the people of the Virgin Islands.”