Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE is away from the Territory attending the 39th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in Jamaica from July 3 to 7.

Premier Smith and other Heads of Government will deliberate on matters of importance to the Caribbean Community including strategies focused on building resilience in disaster management and recovery, crime and security in the Region, among other areas.

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has 15 member states and five associate members. The British Virgin Islands is an associate member.

Premier is accompanied by Assistant Secretary for External Affairs Ms. Najan Christopher and the Deputy Director of the Department of Disaster Management (DDM) Mrs. Evangeline Inniss-Springer.

In Premier Smith’s absence, Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering will act as Premier in accordance with Section 55 (2) of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007.

Honourable Pickering’s appointment is in accordance with Section 55 (1) of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007 which states, “If the Premier is expected to be absent from the Virgin Islands for more than forty-eight hours, the Governor shall authorise the Deputy Premier to perform the functions of the office of Premier; and the Governor shall revoke this authority on the return to the Virgin Islands of the Premier.”