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

Premier Wheatley to attend CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting in T&T

Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) will be attending the 45th regular meeting of the conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) from July 3 to 5, 2023. Photo: GIS/File
CARICOM is made of fifteen (15) states and five (5) Associated States. The Virgin Islands is an Associate State. Photo: CARICOM
CARICOM is made of fifteen (15) states and five (5) Associated States. The Virgin Islands is an Associate State. Photo: CARICOM
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) will be attending the 45th regular meeting of the conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) from July 3 to 5, 2023.

The meeting will be held under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister of Dominica, Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit in Trinidad and Tobago.

'Advancing intraregional trade & policy coordination'

According to a press release from Government Information Service (GIS) on July 2, 2023, the Premier’s attendance at these official meetings is in an effort to advance intraregional trade and policy coordination, towards safeguarding the overall socio-economic and political interests of the Virgin Islands.

Premier Wheatley stated, “The Virgin Islands has been an Associate Member of CARICOM for 32 years. Our Associate Membership is one of the primary means by which we engage in regional cooperation that benefits the Territory in a variety of ways, including the strong political support we have received over the past two years.”

The Premier  added, “It is highly appropriate that the Virgin Islands is present to demonstrate our solidarity with our neighbours, and find solutions to problems such as regional transportation and food security that affect the region.”

Premier Wheatley will be accompanied by his Special Envoy Mr E. Benito Wheatley, Deputy Director of the International Affairs Secretariat, Ms Dwynel Davis, and Assistant Secretary for External Affairs, Ms Xyrah Wheatley.

CARICOM is made of fifteen (15) states and five (5) Associated States. The Virgin Islands is an Associate State.   

Hon Lorna G. Smith, OBE is Acting Premier     

Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade, Honourable Lorna G. Smith, OBE, has been appointed to act as Premier and Minister of Finance from July 2 to July 6 while Premier Wheatley is away from the Virgin Islands. The Premier is scheduled to return to the Territory on July 6.

Honourable Smith’s appointment is in accordance with Section 55 (1) of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007 which states, “If the Premier is expected to be absent from the Virgin Islands for more than forty-eight hours, the Governor shall authorise the Deputy Premier to perform the functions of the office of Premier; and the Governor shall revoke this authority on the return to the Virgin Islands of the Premier.”

26 Responses to “Premier Wheatley to attend CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting in T&T”

  • Travelling man coming back empty handed as usual (02/07/2023, 13:08) Like (11) Dislike (3) Reply
    He is racking up more frequent flier miles than the previous representative for the 7th
  • WHAT!!! (02/07/2023, 13:14) Like (42) Dislike (3) Reply
    This guy spends more time traveling and living the good life than he does be here.
  • (02/07/2023, 13:15) Like (6) Dislike (22) Reply
    At least he can represent us better than Marlon and Ronnie
    • @... (02/07/2023, 13:52) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
      He probably also speaks better than others at Caricom too but it does not mean he's better. He is not.
  • simply (02/07/2023, 13:15) Like (2) Dislike (6) Reply
    I simply don’t care, could careless!!!!.
    • @simply (02/07/2023, 18:30) Like (1) Dislike (6) Reply
      Jealous just because vip back for 4 more years so go eat cake
      • Simply again (03/07/2023, 10:13) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        That is my feelings and my opinion, if I don’t care does not mean I am jealous. The number 1 problem with most of you ugly people on the Island is if Someone voice their opinion they are jealous. F you whoever you are with your ugly zoo monkey looking self. PUN INTENDED!!.
  • overrated waste ah time (02/07/2023, 13:38) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Nothing to show for the past five years that he has done for his district much-less the country.
  • New Diplomat (02/07/2023, 13:51) Like (2) Dislike (11) Reply
    Diplomacy is majorly important in multilateral negotiations and trade between countries! Beyond economic cooperation, there are host of areas to positively impact.

    Great job and keep up the good work young leader.
  • Anonymous (02/07/2023, 13:57) Like (5) Dislike (12) Reply
    Thanks for your leadership Mr Premier with our brothers and sisters from the region we are better off
  • Mustang (02/07/2023, 14:52) Like (8) Dislike (5) Reply
    Come on fellow Virgin Islanders, a part of being Premier or any senior leadership function/position is representing. This representing is not only internal but external, VI having membership in a number regional and international organizations. The bottom line is that traveling for the Premier and other minister, elected members, is a sunk cost, ie, the cost of doing business. Nevertheless, travel should be for the public good, not junket.
    • @Mustang (02/07/2023, 19:02) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
      Yeah that may be true. But when you represent the BVI on a larger scale whilst spouting nonsense, it is actually counter productive.
    • RealPol (02/07/2023, 19:50) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
      @Mustang, real talk. Nuff said.
    • @Mustang (03/07/2023, 08:15) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      @Mustang, real Hablar! The VI is an island, a chain of islands, but it is not isolated. It is connected to regional, international, and global organizations and institutions. Consequently, though it may appear that the Premier and other government officials travel to attend meetings, conferences, etc, they must be at table to represent the interests, concerns, etc, of the BVI people, along with meeting other members to build relationships, etc. The people business at home does not require the Premier’s presence a 100% of the time for people’s and country’s business to get done. If it does, the BVI is in a heap of people. The government is a team and every team member must and should be carrying his or her share of the load with minimal supervision. I equate it to a number of people carrying a log;each member is responsible for carrying a percentage of the load, slacking of some people means others will be carrying a disproportionate share of the load.

      Moreover, as you mention, a part of the Premier’s role and responsibility is representing both at home and abroad. Regional integration and sharing of the region’s limited resources to benefit the the most people is vital to the region’s growth, development, sustainability and resilience. If unification is good for Europe, save for the UK, US, Canada, Australia, etc, why is it not good for the small, resource-poor Caribbean? Insularity, individualism, poor planning, organizing etc, are the region’s Achilles heel. The West Indies Federation ( 1958-1962), the Caribbean region Brexit, crash and burn quickly because of insularity, ie, disagreement over where the capital should be, etc. In the process, some new math created, “1 from 10 leaves nought.” The region fails to unite at its own peril. How many more decades the masses must live with a few doing well and many catching hell. Here is a news flash . Change is needed but it is not coming from politicians who are about self-interest; it has to come from the many/masses.
    • @Mustang (03/07/2023, 10:46) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Do you really think anyone on the outside take anything serious about this little third world Island we are living on? RAW SEWAGE RUNNING IN THE STREETS, CRUMBLING ROADS, LACK OF BASIC RUNNING WATER, MENTAL ILL PEOPLE RUNNING AROUND WITH NO PROPER FACILITY SET UP TO PROPERLY HELP THE MENTALITY ILL AND THE LIST GOES ON AND ON.
  • q (02/07/2023, 16:08) Like (1) Dislike (8) Reply
    JUNKET YOUR HEAD.
    LEAVE MY BOY ALONE.
  • My Take (02/07/2023, 16:26) Like (2) Dislike (7) Reply
    In the BVI when a few well known loud mouth is against something they make it seem as of the majority is against it and that is never the case.
  • cap (02/07/2023, 18:21) Like (29) Dislike (5) Reply
    “Decolonization” blah blah blah. “Reparations” blah blah blah. Same sh*t different day. When will this man stay home and fix the country he is supposed to be leading???
  • until yesterday (02/07/2023, 19:19) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    I supported this man- but then I read he went to tittle-tattle to the United Nations about the UK instead of protecting the citizens who voted for him because they thought he would make things better. Dude is a rat hiding in a hole. (and taking the advice of people who do not wish him - or the people- well)
    • He sure did (03/07/2023, 10:28) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      HE WENT TO THE UN AND SNITCHED OUT THE UK INSTEAD OF PROTECTING HIS OWN. HE IS A SNITCH JUST LIKE THE ONE SITTING IN THE OPPOSITION.
  • Enjoy (03/07/2023, 00:09) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    My country
    Welcome to the land of calypso and steel pan
    The best food in the world
    • @Enjoy (03/07/2023, 11:20) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      Enjoy your Country? Are you talking about the Country that is known for terror and violence? I suggest all the leaders who is attending have their own private security.
  • @Enjoy (03/07/2023, 10:22) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    BEST FOOD IN THE WORLD?. LMAOOOOO, REALLY? THANK YOU FOR THE LAUGH OF THE DAY. BEST FOOD IN THE WORLD. LMAOOOOO.
  • Hmm (03/07/2023, 12:33) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    He probably going there go complain about the UK
  • Hmm (03/07/2023, 14:34) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Its a coincidence that VI day and CARICOM day falls exactly on the same day this year
  • Accountability (04/07/2023, 11:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    He and his brother racking up the miles. Now they bringing another two for the ride and fun. What’s their purpose?!?! Takes 4 for the job of 1 man and still nothing to show. Just abuse of taxpayers money.


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.