Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

'Middle East tensions could potentially impact financial cooperation'- Kenneth B. Baker

- Gov't suspends business travel to Middle East
Mr Kenneth B. Baker, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission expressed concerns that the financial services sector in the Virgin Islands could be affected by escalating tensions in the Middle East. Photo: Facebook
As of March 2026, the Middle East is embroiled in a severe and widening conflict following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, provoking retaliatory attacks across the region. A fire burns at the site of a collapsed building following an Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs. Photo: Getty Images
As of March 2026, the Middle East is embroiled in a severe and widening conflict following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, provoking retaliatory attacks across the region. A fire burns at the site of a collapsed building following an Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs. Photo: Getty Images
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI - The financial services sector in the Virgin Islands could be affected by escalating tensions in the Middle East, particularly regarding levels of international cooperation, as the islands rely on global integration for business.

This concern was articulated by Mr Kenneth B. Baker, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission, during an appearance on the Talking Points programme on ZBVI 780 AM on Monday, March 16, 2026.

"It's a concern for us because it can potentially impact levels in cooperation because we have completely incorporated throughout the world," Baker stated.

As of March 2026, the Middle East is embroiled in a severe and widening conflict following US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, provoking retaliatory attacks across the region. Major air and sea routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, have been disrupted, affecting global logistics. Cities in Lebanon, Iran, Iraq, and Gulf states have suffered attacks, resulting in high civilian casualties, mass displacement, and significant damage to infrastructure.

Gov't suspends business travel to Middle East

Baker noted that although the Middle East is not a major business partner for the Virgin Islands, accounting for only single-digit business levels, the territory still receives some business from the region.  

"So disruption there can have a damning effect on the level of incooperation," he remarked.

The Managing Director also stated that the government has decided to suspend all business travel to the Middle East to protect staff amid the ongoing escalations. 

"You also have a lot of international conferences in that area of the world as well, and  so we've just taken a  decision this week to suspend business travel to that area of the world until this situation settles down."

9 Responses to “'Middle East tensions could potentially impact financial cooperation'- Kenneth B. Baker”

  • attention (17/03/2026, 10:52) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Is the premiere taking heed, tell him I say, don't take on no more on the Government payroll.
  • baker (17/03/2026, 11:30) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply

    Run the FSC better and stop allowing companies like pi***** trust to do shady business & dodge fines

  • TRUTH TELLER (17/03/2026, 13:53) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    No., not could potentially impact financial cooperation, but rather will diffenitely impact financial cooperation worldwide, and probably the British Virgin Islanders and other UK'S Overseas Territories more.

    Be this known to you that some things have and some things are happening, so that things which should have been that have not may begin to happen for the good of mankind deliverance prison of demon and evil men, that have help the most vulnerable hostage by their evil igotictic elitetist scheme by way of their daily imbalance political leadership practices against God and, especially, against vulnerable people worldwide, even same is so in the B.V.I.
  • Rubber Duck (17/03/2026, 14:46) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    The fsc died with Robert
  • Real 247365 (17/03/2026, 16:43) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    What is the faith of the BVI who does direct financial business with China? Whilst Donald Trump have a bounty on China?
  • asura (17/03/2026, 17:46) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Keep fighting, the UK they want to kill our financial services
  • yrral (18/03/2026, 04:52) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Trump is screwed,he has three options,bad, worst, catastrophic
  • NoChit Sherlocke (18/03/2026, 09:13) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    People with wealth and the American dollar business interests should be very very concerned. Iran China Russia heck BRICS currently destroying the petro dollar system. It's about to vanish and a new world balance is created. China Russia will lead this change and there is nothing no super billionaire jesuit can stop not Black Rock, Vanguard no Jaime Diamond no Larry Fink can control. The American dollar will be a useless as Jamaican currency in fact Jamaican currency will be higher than the American dollar in about 10 years or so. This government should be considering switching currency immediately.
  • eh (18/03/2026, 09:15) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    Ok Einstein, we fools didn't know that. A whole article had to be published with you bringing light to this situation. At least the kitty will have some funds cause of the 'suspended travels' to the Middle East


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.