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17-member delegation announced for trade mission to Guyana

- delegation will be led by Deputy Premier & Minister for Financial Services, Labour & Trade, the Honourable Lorna G. Smith, OBE
A 17-member delegation from the [British] Virgin Islands will embark on a 'significant' trade mission to Guyana from July 30 to August 4, 2023. Photo: tourist-destinations.com
Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade, the Honourable Lorna G. Smith, OBE, will lead the diverse 17-member delegation on the trade mission to Guyana. Photo: GIS/File
Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade, the Honourable Lorna G. Smith, OBE, will lead the diverse 17-member delegation on the trade mission to Guyana. Photo: GIS/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade, the Honourable Lorna G. Smith, OBE, will lead a diverse, 17-member delegation on what has been described as a “significant” trade mission to Guyana from July 30 to August 4, 2023.

The delegation comprises representatives from the financial services industry and various business sectors, highlighting the vast scope of commercial engagement between the two countries.

Delegation

According to a press release from Government Information Services (GIS) on July 27, 2023, the other delegates include Permanent Secretary Petrona N. Davies; CEO of BVI Finance, Elise Donovan; Deputy Director at the BVI FSC Kishelle Blaize Cameron; Director of the BVI International Arbitration Centre Shan Greer; Ms R. Dancia Penn, KC Corporate Lawyer, Dancia Penn & Co; Mr Kerry Anderson, Partner, O’Neal Webster; Ms Tesca Mathurin, Corporate Lawyer, ATU General Trust (BVI) Ltd; Mr Humphrey Leue, Alpha Consulting; Mr Tony Alphonso, Alphonso Enterprise Ltd; Ms Simone T. Monsanto, Caribbean Insurers Ltd; Ms Abigail O’Neal, Aquila Financial (BVI) Ltd; Ms Saathi Yamraj, Jarmays Ltd; Mr Peter Leppard, Managing Director, Trident Trust (Bahamas) Ltd; Mr Tony Roberts, Aquila Financial (BVI) Ltd; and Mr Chris Bennett, The Caribbean Council.

Deputy Premier delighted with enthusiasm of business community

The Deputy Premier expressed her delight with the extensive support from the business community, stating, "I am deeply pleased with the overwhelming turnout from our business community, who are making a substantial investment to join this inaugural trade mission to Guyana. Their enthusiasm not only underscores the potential of this venture but also their commitment to forging stronger ties within the Caribbean region."

She added, "I am profoundly grateful for the welcoming spirit extended by the Guyanese Government towards our delegation.   Their openness and receptivity set a positive tone for our visit and reflect the warm relations between our two countries."

According to the press release, this ground-breaking initiative features a packed agenda, with meetings and presentations lined up with the Guyanese Government and prominent members of the Guyanese business sectors.  It said the aim is to foster collaborative opportunities, enhance bilateral trade, and promote mutual economic growth.

31 Responses to “17-member delegation announced for trade mission to Guyana”

  • Rhythm up.. (28/07/2023, 06:46) Like (37) Dislike (1) Reply
    What. That's a huge team. Are they going to play soft - ball. ? All expense on tax payers.. I will really want to hear the minister justifying this.. shouldn't we have 2 or 3 people attending these kind of events then upon return they educate the others that here who needs the education, go easy on the treasury?
    • Paying for themselves (28/07/2023, 14:06) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      The delegates are paying for themselves that’s why the Minister welcomed the substantial investment that they made to join. People who wanted to join knew that Government was not paying.
  • Alphonso’s? (28/07/2023, 07:10) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
    Really? This better not be all on the taxpayers dime. Gravy train running deep with these officials
    • Truth (28/07/2023, 10:08) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
      with strong Guyanese roots and being a member of the business community for over 40 year Tony is a great choice. Its a shame that it took the discovery of oil reserves for the BVI to appreciate what the other countries can bring to the table and benefit us . Let's hope this changes the perspective we have on families who decide to make the BVI home and greatly contribute to the development of the Island.
  • Kingfish (28/07/2023, 07:24) Like (15) Dislike (3) Reply
    What a waste of time and money.
    • NICK (28/07/2023, 09:40) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
      You live on a island where kids waste their time on drugs and not working for money.
      • @NICK (28/07/2023, 12:59) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
        Just like the kids in every other island and continent around the world!!!!
      • Kingfish (29/07/2023, 06:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        @Nick. I do not see the connection. What does the BVI have to offer Guyana in terms of trade, we manufacture nothing, the BVI is a service driven economy and even so what services can we offer Guyana. To me that it is why it is a waste of time and taxpayers funds which could have been used to improve the BVI. More funds are wasted by the BVI elected officials traveling all over the world without any concrete results.
  • WOW look at God (28/07/2023, 07:32) Like (15) Dislike (10) Reply
    After all the racism and abuse towards Guyanese...watch how they still welcome y'all and I bet You, they will shower the team with love & respect on arrival.
    • lol (28/07/2023, 09:17) Like (11) Dislike (14) Reply
      Who more racist than you Guyanese? You are racist agains your own country nationals too.. Yeah since you wanna talk racism why don’t you talk that yall don’t like blacks?…

      The BVI has plenty xenophobia I get but you not gonna come talking about racism not you.. not ever. You Indians will bring news on whomever just to elevate your own and talk down on blacks…. Run talk that.. Bout racist..
      • @LOL (28/07/2023, 14:02) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
        but how can you assume its an Indian wrote that blog??? "Who more racist than you Guyanese?" are they not black Guyanese too. or according to what you wrote Guyanese is Indians only. In Guyana both MAJOR ethnic group there have members who does not like indiand/black
    • @WOW look at God (28/07/2023, 15:03) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      I want to believe it's people like you who keep blogging crap under pretense of a Virgin Islander just to promote and plant distate against the locals. Period. Everyone no matter where they from or going to should RESPECT another's home and culture.
  • REPARATIONS (28/07/2023, 08:15) Like (2) Dislike (6) Reply
    They need that many to carry enough cash to rebate all the National insurance ,NHI & Wire Taxes the Guyanese families kicked off island deserve to be refunded, cynically snatched by the VIP government . Any of those families returning would be politely told your starting from zero money gone.
  • Rythm Up is Right (28/07/2023, 08:32) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    The cost for this will easily run up into 6 figures….
  • Sara (28/07/2023, 08:55) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Is the government paying for all these persons to travel?
  • VG (28/07/2023, 09:01) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Small minded comments why everything has to be government expense. Do you think all those other companies attending survive on government handouts.
  • Lmbo (28/07/2023, 09:19) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    But why? What is the goal or objective. Who are these people that going on this trip and why them? What does the VI have in common with Guyana of all places? What possible commerce could we have with Guyana? Our economies do not benefit each other. Guyana mines precious metals and gold. We do Tourism and offshore banking. Wealthy Guyanese don’t vacation in the Caribbean. Nor do they have the same need for offshore banking as their country isn’t highly regulated. I’m lost as benefit of this group going to GT.
  • system (28/07/2023, 09:38) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    How can u have successful bilateral trade talks when Bvi impose visa requirement for other party citizen.
    Guyanese can travel visa free for most countries
  • 1st class (28/07/2023, 10:30) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    17 is really too few, Should be at least a 100 persons needed, one to attend delegation and 99 to carry suitcases of dollars for expenses !
  • WO (28/07/2023, 11:11) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    That $$ could fix the generator ??
  • Visa (28/07/2023, 13:50) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    I hope they drop the visa requirements for Guyanese to come to Tortola before they set foot on Timerhri Airport
  • Hmm (28/07/2023, 13:58) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    make sure they give you a tour of the majestic kaieteur fall which UNESCO keep refusing to named as a world heritage site.
  • … (28/07/2023, 14:03) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    Keep your good works up Lorna
  • @LOL (28/07/2023, 14:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Lmao!!! Get over your bitterness LOL LOL
  • lol (28/07/2023, 15:14) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
    Headline should read "17 Politicians and finance executives galavant on the public purse to Guyana"
    • RedStorm (28/07/2023, 16:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Headline should be Deputy Premier fix the budget by extension of BVI House in Guyana. Go for it!
  • 17? (28/07/2023, 17:14) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    you gotta be kidding me? 17 members. What the heck is this Govt thinking. My God.
  • let them go (28/07/2023, 17:23) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    but do not let them return to the BVI.
  • Disinterested (29/07/2023, 21:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Guyana just had a huge oil find and is now listed one of richest countries per capita. Guyana is also rich in natural resources and precious metals. BVI sand , sea and sun. It has a dearth of technically skilled personnel so a gaggle of people will not b heading to Guyana to help with oil production. So the question is what will the two countries be trading in the near term? Will Guyana be exporting oil to the BVsi at a deep discount. Guyana has outsource oil production to foreign oil companies , for Guyana lack the experience and technical expertise to manage production locally so that discount thing is probably off the table. What is next for import hold, timber, green heart, etc. Is this loud pealing thunder but no rain?? Is this just a show ?
    • Truth (30/07/2023, 09:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Insightful questions Disinterested - yes Guyana's have limitations in their ability to refine but, their willingness to allow experts to upskill their population understanding that the benefits will be shared with those foreign experts but long term they will benefit is strategic. Think Japan and The American's investment after World War II - it appears to be exploitative but long-term host Country benefits.


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