Members of the BVI Hong Kong Office. From left: Ms Kyla K. Forbes-Political Economy Officer, Dr Ricardo Wheatley- Director, Ms Siobahn M. Flax- Associate Director, Mr Ronn A. Grant-Political Economy Officer, and Mr Robin Alam- Administrative Assistant. Photo: BVI Hong Kong Office

Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), 3rd from right, Hon Lorna G. Smith (AL), Dr Ricardo Whealtey and Ms Siobhan Flax, left, seated with India’s Minister of Finance Hon Nirmila Sarathaman, 3rd from left. Photo: BVI Hong Kong Office

Members of the Virgin Islands delegation at the National Stock Exchange where Premier Dr. Hon. Natalio Wheatley and Hon. Lorna G Smith rang the bell. Photo: BVI Hong Kong Office

Members of the BVI Hong Kong Office, Left to Right: Ms. Kyla K. Forbes-Political Economy Officer, Dr. Ricardo Wheatley- Director, Ms .Siobahn M. Flax-Associate Director, Mr. Ronn A. Grant-Political Economy Officer, Mr. Robin Alam-Administrative Assistant. Photo: BVI Hong Kong Office

The inaugural mission was held in India under the theme ‘BVI: A Strategic Partner in India’s Global Expansion’, across four cities from August 24 to 31, 2026. 

The BVI Hong Kong Office, in a September 9, 2026, press release, said the trade mission was a product of three years of stakeholder engagement and strategic planning and described it as a revolutionary step in positioning the Virgin Islands’ Financial Services for dramatic expansion into India as the world’s 4th largest economy.

4 cities in 9 days

The mission was led by Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) who was accompanied by Junior Minister for Financial Services Hon Lorna G. Smith, OBE (AL); BVI Financial Services Commission Managing Director and CEO Kenneth B. Baker; Director of Financial Services Ayana I. Glasgow), BVI Hong Kong Office Associate Director Siobhan M. Flax; BVI Hong Kong  Office Director Dr Ricardo Wheatley); and BVI Hong Kong Office Political Economy Officers Ronn A. Grant and Kyla K. Forbes; as well as supporting officials and staff from the Ministry of Financial  Services, BVI Finance, BVI’s Hong Kong Office, Premier’s Office, and International Affairs Secretariat.  

Additionally, eighteen private sector VI practitioners from Hong Kong, Mauritius, Dubai, Panama, Europe and the VI itself also participated in the mission. 

Indian stakeholders were brought together in the country’s four most important investment cities- Delhi, Mumbai, GIFT City and Bengaluru- showcasing the unique advantages BVI provides to India’s investment ecosystem and economic growth.

Hong Kong Office continues Financial Services expansion in Asia

Ms Flax said the BVI Hong Kong Office described the mission preparation as intense and said the office delivered a successful mission for the government and people of the VI. 

The mission, she said, built new trade relationships that will benefit the Virgin Islands for generations to come. 

“Our staff of Virgin Islanders is small but hard-working, and we will continue to support the expansion of BVI’s Financial Services Footprint in Asia.”

The VI-India Trade Mission and Road Show follows successful Trade Missions organised in China (2024), Singapore (2024), and Malaysia (2025) by the VI’s four employees residing in Hong Kong. 

The office said India forms a critical part of VI’s financial services diversification strategy, and there are ambitions to make it the second pillar of the financial services markets on the scale of China by 2036.