Madam Speaker, I wish to report to this Honourable House on two recent initiatives aimed at improving trade and commerce within the region, and which I was fortunate to be a part of, representing the Virgin Islands.

Madame Speaker, 21 October is a significant day in the Virgin Islands.

On that day, 50 years ago in 1972, the first observance of BVI/USVI (British Virgin Islands/United States Virgin Islands) Friendship Day was held here, specifically on Tortola.

Madam Speaker, last Friday, 21 October, 2022, the Virgin Islands witnessed yet another senseless, reckless and outright despicable act of gun violence, which resulted in the loss of two lives and injuries to two other persons in Fat Hog’s Bay. The deceased are Kawa Cornwall, aged 38, of Long Bush, and Kadeem E. Frett, 28, of Long Look. The incident took place shortly after 8:30 pm in a very busy and crowded area in Fat Hog’s Bay.

Madam Speaker,

I would like to update this Honourable House on national and political developments in the United Kingdom (UK) that we here the Virgin Islands must pay close attention to as a British Overseas Territory (BOT).

The official funeral of former legislator, Mr. Cyril Lewis Walter, MBE, also known as Louis Walters, will be held on Friday, September 30.

Speaker of the House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands, Mrs. Corine George-Massicote is leading a three-member delegation to the annual Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Halifax, Canada.   

Persons who were receiving assistance from the House of Assembly are reminded to register for the Public Assistance Programme.

Madam Speaker, I crave your indulgence and ask that I be allowed at this time to update this Honourable House on matters pertaining to the financial services sector, specifically with regard to Russian sanctions. 

Madam Speaker, I wish to now give an update on preparations for the various assessments that the Virgin Islands is presently involved in. Whilst these assessments are at varying stages and are reviewing diverse areas in the tax and regulatory sphere, they all have one thing in common. A successful conclusion and outcome of each assessment is paramount to sustaining a viable financial services industry for the Territory.