Madam Speaker, three years ago we introduced Financial Services as a compulsory subject into the curriculum of our secondary schools in the latter part of 2012 to ensure the sustainability of our financial services industry. By doing so, we were ensuring that the interests, minds and talents of our students are developed to maintain our leadership position in the sector and our territory’s global competitiveness.

I am very pleased that you are able to join us this evening as we continue on our journey to strengthen our financial services sector.

BVI Finance, in collaboration with the Premier’s Office and BVI House Asia, is hosting the 2016 BVI Asian Trade Mission in an effort to deepen and expand the British Virgin Islands’ footprint in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region.

The latest in a series of dynamic breakfast forums hosted by BVI Finance provided attendees with new and noteworthy information on the BVI’s world class arbitration services from a distinguished panel of international arbitrators.

Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr. the Hon. D. Orlando Smith, OBE will provide an update on BVI Forward, following completion of its first year to implement measures to reposition the Territory’s financial services industry.

At this month’s BVI Finance Breakfast Forum, attendees will have the pleasure of engaging in various discussions on international arbitration and its benefits to the British Virgin Islands and the wider region.

The public is advised that the next BVI Finance Breakfast Forum will be held on Thursday, October 6, from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. at the BVI Finance Conference Room on the fourth floor of the Cutlass Tower.

The Department of Labour in collaboration with the Immigration Department is moving to implement new work permit processes with noticeable changes starting January 2017.

BVI Finance, the voice of the British Virgin Islands’ financial services industry, has recruited Gary Hales as its new Head of Business Development.

BVI Finance Limited, a new public/private initiative that will see the creation of a company to better support financial services promotion and business development, is set to launch in January 2017.