Members of the House of Assembly (HoA) passed the Electronic Transactions Amendment Bill, 2026, without any amendments, during the Fifth Sitting of the Third Session of the Fifth HoA, on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. Photo: YouTube/HoA

Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), said the Electronic Transactions Amendment Bill, 2026, seeks to improve legal certainty in the use of electronic signatures and facilitate the efficient conduct of commercial and cross-border transactions in the Virgin Islands (VI). Photo: YouTube/HoA

Minister for Health and Social Services, Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9), while expressing support for the Electronic Transactions Amendment Bill, 2026, called on his colleagues to ensure these changes apply locally. Photo: YouTube/HoA

Opposition Leader, Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8), placed on record his full support for the Electronic Transactions Amendment Bill, 2026. Photo: YouTube/HoA

Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), said the bill seeks to improve legal certainty in the use of electronic signatures and facilitate the efficient conduct of commercial and cross-border transactions in the Virgin Islands (VI). 

The amendment to the 2021 Act, Dr Wheatley explained, was necessary to address certain exclusions under section 41 of the Act that have created uncertainty regarding the electronic execution of documents commonly used in corporate and financing transactions.

“This has led to differing interpretations among practitioners and continued reliance on physical signatures, resulting in administrative burdens and delays. Madam Speaker, the bill addresses these challenges through targeted amendments that clarify and narrow the scope of those exclusions.”

The changes, Premier Wheatley added, will clarify the application of the Act to electronic execution of documents frequently used in commercial transactions, including secured financing arrangements and share transfers.

Bring it local- Hon Vincent O. Wheatley 

Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9), while expressing support for the amendment bill, called on his colleagues to ensure these changes apply locally. 

“The same way we are making things easier for international businesses, let's also make it easier for local businesses, particularly persons who are on the sister islands.”

Hon Wheatley said he hopes that same thinking can be applied to persons on Anegada so as to prevent them from going to Tortola just to sign documents or collect checks. 

“I commend the Premier for this, and I say let’s also make it a local thing.”

I support us moving in that direction- Hon Marlon A. Penn

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader, Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8), said his position is clear when it comes to modernisation, in terms of use of technology, especially in this day and age to make business easier and to improve the ease of doing business within the VI’s jurisdiction.

“So I want to put on record firmly, Madam Speaker, that I support us moving in this direction.”

Hon Penn also supported Hon Wheatley’s suggestion of allowing locals to access these types of electronic transactions. 

“We also have to look at what we do on the ground for our people as well…I think it's something that we need to look at.”