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Statement By The Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley Minister For Health And Social Development on the Launch Of The Virgin Islands Eat Well Guide
On June 3, 2025, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley, Minister for Health and Social Development, announced the launch of the Virgin Islands Eat Well Guide and Dietary Guidelines during the Fifth Sitting of the House of Assembly. The Guide is a key part of the Territory’s strategy to combat chronic non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease by promoting balanced nutrition and healthy lifestyles. Built around five core food groups, it encourages the consumption of local, nutritious foods and supports national goals of food security and public health. It will serve as a standard tool in schools, healthcare, and community programmes, with further plans to introduce a protected essential food basket to make healthy options more accessible. The Minister emphasized that the Guide is not just a document but a call to action for individuals, families, and communities to build a healthier Virgin Islands.
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Request For Proposal For Fencing Sea Cows Bay
The Department of Waste Management is requesting quotations for security fencing at the Old Derelict Vehicle Storage Site, Sea Cows Bay, Tortola. The fencing will include 220 feet of chain link wire, galvanized metal posts, a height of six feet, and a 16-foot wide double gate. Interested companies must submit their bids with required documents, including a quotation, certificate of good standing, valid trade license, proof of equipment ownership, and company experience with referrals. Bids will be evaluated on price, access to equipment, and experience. A site visit is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on March 4, 2025. The deadline for submission is 4:00 p.m. on March 14, 2025. All quotations must be hand-delivered to the Department of Waste Management Office. For queries, contact the Director at 284-468-4934.
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Waste Management Accepting Quotes for Security Cameras
The Department of Waste Management is inviting quotations for the supply and installation of eleven (11) solar-powered weatherproof outdoor IP security cameras and three (3) indoor IP cameras to be installed at the Pockwood Pond Incinerator, Waste Oil Facility (Sea Cow’s Bay), and The Valley Dumpsite in Virgin Gorda. Cameras must have one-year maintenance, Wi-Fi or 4G connectivity, 2K video quality, MP4 capture format, solar power for outdoor units, night vision, and internal memory storage. Interested businesses must submit duplicate sealed quotations with company name and reference, including product specs, photos, and certificates of good standing from tax, social security, and health authorities, plus a valid 2025 trade license. Mandatory site visits are scheduled for Virgin Gorda on July 7 at noon, and for Sea Cow’s Bay and Pockwood Pond on July 8 at 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. respectively. Quotations must be hand-delivered by July 17, 2025, 4:00 p.m. to the Department’s office at Union Property Building, Tortola. For inquiries, contact Director Marcus Solomon at 284-468-4934.
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Opening of the Law Year 2025
The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) is marking the commencement of the New Law Year with a Ceremonial Opening under the theme, “Accessibility and Awareness - The ECSC Bridging the Gap Through Community Engagement.” The event, hosted by Saint Lucia, includes a church service at the Road Town Methodist Church in Tortola and a Special Sitting at the High Court in Tortola. The Acting Chief Justice, Mr. Mario Michel, will deliver the feature address live from Saint Lucia. The event will be streamed live across various platforms. The ECSC, established in 1967, serves the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and has unlimited jurisdiction in its Member States and Territories. For more information, visit the ECSC website or call 758-457-3600.
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Premier Outlines Reasons to Fight for a New Virgin Islands Constitution
Premier and Minister of Finance, Tourism, Culture, and Sustainable Development, Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley, opened debate in the House of Assembly on Thursday, 18 September, on the 2022-2023 Constitutional Review Commission Report with strong arguments for constitutional amendments aimed at the decolonisation of the Virgin Islands.
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Press Conference Remarks by Premier Wheatley - Friday, 12 December 2025
Good afternoon. Deputy Premier, Hon Julian Fraser, Minister of Communications and Works, Honourable Kye Rymer, Minister responsible for Financial Services and Trade, Honourable Lorna Smith. Senior civil servants. This is my first press conference since the deeply shocking and sudden passing of my Director of Communications and my beloved friend Karia Christopher.
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Premier Wheatley's Remarks at Tropical Shipping Disaster Management Workshop
I recognise the protocols already established. Good morning. I am pleased to join you for this very important Private-Public Sector Disaster Management Workshop, and I extend warm greetings on behalf of the Government and people of the Virgin Islands to all of you who are visiting with us. I also wish to acknowledge our hosts, Tropical Shipping, and collaborative partners – the BVI Department of Disaster Management (DDM), the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), and the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) - for bringing together this initiative for the benefit of the Virgin Islands and the wider Caribbean region.
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Statement by Premier, Honourable Dr. Natalio D Wheatley, on the Completion and Submission of the Government of the Virgin Islands Self-Assessment Report on the Implementation of the Recommendations of the 2022 British Virgin Islands Commission of Inquiry
Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley announced the completion and submission of the Virgin Islands' Self-Assessment Report on implementing the 2022 Commission of Inquiry (COI) recommendations. This milestone reflects significant governance reforms aimed at enhancing transparency, accountability, and institutional structures. Dr. Wheatley credited public officers, Cabinet, and the COI Implementation Unit for their dedicated efforts and emphasized that reforms go beyond COI requirements, aligning with nation-building goals. The UK will decide by 30 June 2025 whether to lift the Order in Council that threatens partial suspension of the Constitution.
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Financial Institutions to Prepare for Common Reporting Standards 2.0 Requirements
The Virgin Islands will implement the OECD’s updated Common Reporting Standard (CRS 2.0) effective 1st January 2026, requiring Financial Institutions to collect new data throughout 2026 and submit it to the International Tax Authority by May 2027. Key changes include expanded definitions to cover digital products, crypto-assets, and Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), enhanced due diligence procedures, and clarified reporting requirements. These updates align with the Mutual Legal Assistance (Tax Matters) Act, Revised Edition 2020. The Virgin Islands has also committed to adopting the Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF) by 2028.
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Zero Percent Customs Duty on Renewable and Energy Efficient Products
Minister for Communication and Works Honourable Kye M. Rymer has announced that the Cabinet of the Virgin Islands has approved zero customs duty for renewable energy and energy efficient products beginning September 1.