The Virgin Islands is among the 16 overseas territories (OTs) and the three Crown Dependencies to have had their place in UK Parliamentary democracy immortalised with a depiction of each of their heraldic shields embedded in stained glass.

I would like to make a statement to this Honourable House on the recent visit to these Virgin Islands by the United Kingdom (UK) Minister for the Overseas Territories (OTs) The Right Honourable Lord Goldsmith.

Minister for the Overseas Territories, the Rt Hon. Lord Goldsmith, His Excellency the Governor Mr. John Rankin CMG, Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Honourable Melvin M. Turnbull, President of the H Lavity Stoutt Community Colleget (HLSCC) Mr. Richard Georges, and the Head of Marine & Maritime Studies at HLSCC Ms. Susan Zaluski are featured on an environmental tour that took place on Wednesday February 1.

I have so enjoyed being here in the British Virgin Islands - meeting elected representatives, officials and community members from right across the Territory.

Madam Speaker, today I am pleased to further highlight recent developments within the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour pertaining to funding. The Ministry is in receipt of a grant from the European Union and their partners Expertise France in the amount of 927,890 Euros or approximately $965,000 US dollars through the Overseas Countries and Territories’ Resilience, Sustainable Energy, and Marine Biodiversity Programme - RESEMBID.

Madam Speaker, on Thursday 19^th January, The Honourable Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley during his recent official visit to the UK, signed into effect a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the BVI Government and the prestigious University of Southampton.

Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr. the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley has stated that the past week of meetings and engagements in the United Kingdom were successful in the advancement of the economic, political and environmental interests of the Territory.

A pleasant good morning. I am pleased to have another press conference to keep the public informed. My update today is on my official visit to the United Kingdom which concluded yesterday.

Ms Lynette Harrigan has been awarded an MBE from His Majesty the King for her contributions to International Travel during the COVID pandemic and to the community in the British Virgin Islands.