Virgin Islander Ms Elise Donovan has presented before the UK Foreign Affairs Committee in a session on sustainable development on behalf of the Virgin Islands Government (VI). Photo: UK Parliament

The session held on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in London is part of a series where the UK’s Foreign Affairs Committee hold evidence-based hearings on the future of UK Overseas Territories.

The first panel which featured Ms Donovan started at 2:51 pm and considered the economy and what the UK Government is doing to facilitate long-term, sustainable economic development in overseas territories like the Virgin Islands. 

Meanwhile, the second session focused on the environment, the impact of climate change on the Overseas Territories and what the Government is doing to help.

Sustainable development

When questions about the VI’s plans for sustainable development Ms Donovan said, “What we have been looking at in terms of the Recovery and Development Plan…[is] how we can build on tourism. Financial services [also] have certainly sustained us through this very challenging period,” she said.

With a focus on the financial services, Ms Donovan affirmed that the Virgin Islands in doing all that it can to not undermine the financial services industry and she spoke of the establishment of the Recovery and Development Agency with the aims of building a Territory that is stronger, smarter, greener and more vibrant with an innovative economy.

Ms Donovan who is also the Director of the BVI London Office, called for UK Government support in public arenas like Parliament and the media where information propagated on sectors of the Virgin Islands is often incorrect.

Please see link to full video session on the future of the UK Overseas Territories