The Junior Minister of Tourism, Hon Luce D. Hodge-Smith (R4), delivered remarks at the trade forum between the BVI Chamber of Commerce and the Curacao Chamber of Commerce. Photo: BVICC/Facebook

The engagement brought together Curaçao-based companies operating in fintech, beverage importation, retail distribution, and textiles with Virgin Islands businesses for direct, focused commercial exchange. Photo: BVICC/Facebook

Local businesses were introduced to Curaçao’s trade and distribution landscape, while Curaçao delegates gained firsthand insight into the Virgin Islands’ commercial ecosystem. Photo: BVICC/Facebook

The BVI Chamber of Commerce (BVICC), under new chairman Sinclair H. Flemming Jr, recently hosted a delegation from the Curaçao Chamber of Commerce. Photo: BVICC/Facebook

Chairman Sinclair H. Flemming Jr, right, noted that the BVI Chamber of Commerce's renewed direction centers on speed, collaboration, and measurable opportunity for businesses across the territory. Photo: BVICC/Facebook

The engagement brought together Curaçao-based companies operating in fintech, beverage importation, retail distribution, and textiles with Virgin Islands businesses for direct, focused commercial exchange.

According to BVICC, in a press release, the initiative created tangible pathways for regional expansion, import/export discussions, and cross-border collaboration between the two jurisdictions.

"Local businesses were introduced to Curaçao’s trade and distribution landscape, while Curaçao delegates gained firsthand insight into the Virgin Islands’ commercial ecosystem. Several promising conversations were initiated, including engagements involving CX-PAY, an online payments platform already operating in the BVI, allowing participants to put faces to names and strengthen existing business relationships," BVICC reported.

The Junior Minister of Tourism, Hon Luce D. Hodge-Smith (R4), delivered remarks in support of regional cooperation. The Trade Department, facilitated by the Ministry of Financial Services and Trade, was also present, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening Caribbean-wide economic collaboration. The shared message: regional prosperity is built through partnership.

BVIHCC 'focused on execution'- Sinclair H. Flemming Jr

Chairman Sinclair H. Flemming Jr noted that the Chamber’s renewed direction centers on speed, collaboration, and measurable opportunity for businesses across the territory.

“This board is focused on execution. The Chamber is the voice of business in the Virgin Islands, and whether a company is formally a member or not, we are committed to ensuring opportunities like these are accessible to the wider business community.”

The Chamber extended special thanks to Kai DeCastro, proprietor of Main Street Restaurant, for hosting the engagement and supporting the facilitation of meaningful economic dialogue.

Special recognition is also extended to the 12 local businesses that actively participated both in person and online, contributing to the strength and diversity of the discussions.

'Only the beginning'

BVICC said the businesses' engagement reflects the collaborative spirit that defines the Virgin Islands business community.

With reciprocal invitations to Curaçao already extended and follow-up discussions underway, the Chamber has signaled that this is only the beginning. A structured calendar of upcoming events, trainings, and business initiatives will be launched shortly as part of a broader effort to restore prominence and visibility to the Chamber as the leading voice of commerce in the Virgin Islands.

Business remains the backbone of Virgin Islands society, and the 2026 Board has made clear that it intends to operate with urgency, clarity, and purpose in advancing opportunity for the territory.