The Government of the British Virgin Islands is delighted to announce that the Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour, and Trade, the Hon. Lorna Smith, OBE, will lead a diverse, 17-member delegation on a significant trade mission to Guyana from 30th July to 4th August 2023. The delegation comprises representatives from the financial services industry and various business sectors, highlighting the vast scope of commercial engagement between the two countries.

Guyana has rapidly emerged as an economic powerhouse with an impressive overall growth rate and has been attracting investments from around the world. As a global partner, the British Virgin Islands (BVI) offers a natural alliance for Guyana. With a proven track record of success in facilitating cross-border trade and investment, the BVI is ideally positioned to contribute to the burgeoning economic activity in Guyana.

The primary objective of the mission is to present the BVI’s financial services offerings, the advantages of using BVI corporate structures, and its expertise in facilitating global cross-border business.

Joining Honourable Smith on this important journey will be the Junior Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr. the Honourable Karl Dawson, who aims to explore potential agricultural partnerships. This initiative will support the BVI's food security strategy by leveraging Guyana's expertise in this area.

The Deputy Premier expressed her delight with the extensive support from the business community, stating, "I am deeply pleased with the overwhelming turnout from our business community, who are making a substantial investment  in funding their own trip to join this inaugural trade mission to Guyana. Their enthusiasm not only underscores the potential of this venture but also their commitment to forging stronger ties within the Caribbean region."

She added, "I am profoundly grateful for the welcoming spirit extended by the Guyanese Government towards our delegation. Their openness and receptivity set a positive tone for our visit and reflect the warm relations between our two countries."

In addition to the economic synergies, a strong cultural bond exists between the BVI and Guyana, as Guyanese immigrants form the third-largest immigrant group in the BVI, playing a vital role in the territory's workforce and contributing significantly to its growth and prosperity.

This ground-breaking initiative features a packed agenda, with meetings and presentations lined up with the Guyanese Government and prominent members of the Guyanese business sectors. The aim is to foster collaborative opportunities, enhance bilateral trade, and promote mutual economic growth.

This trade mission is pivotal in strengthening ties between the BVI and Guyana and represents the shared dedication to regional cooperation and economic development. We anticipate the outcomes of this venture will usher in an era of increased collaboration between the two countries.

The other delegates include:

1. Permanent Secretary, Ms. Petrona Davies
2. CEO of BVI Finance, Ms. Elise Donovan
3. Deputy Director at the BVI FSC, Ms. Kishelle Blaize Cameron
4. Director of the BVI International Arbitration Centre, Ms. Shan Greer
5. Director of Agriculture, Mr. Theodore James
6. Mr. Kerry Anderson, Partner, O’Neal Webster
7. Ms. Tesca Mathurin, Corporate Lawyer, ATU General Trust (BVI) Ltd
8. Mr. Humphry Leue, Alpha Consulting
9. Mr. Tony Alphonso, Alphonso Enterprise Ltd.
10. Ms. Simone Monsanto, Caribbean Insurers Ltd.
11. Ms. Abigail O’Neal, Aquila Financial (BVI) Ltd.
12. Ms. Saathi Yamraj, Jarmays Ltd.
13. Mr. Peter Leppard, Managing Director, Trident Trust (Bahamas) Ltd.
14. Mr. Tony Roberts, Aquila Financial (BVI) Ltd.
15. Mr. Chris Bennett, The Caribbean Council

For further information about the trade mission, please contact Trevaughn Smith at tsmith@bvifinance.vg or Adrianna Soverall at asoverall@bvifinance.vg.

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For further information please contact:

Adrianna Soverall

Marketing and Media Relations Coordinator

asoverall@bvifinance.vg |Tel: 284-852-1957