Premier Natalio Wheatley Pledges Diaspora Policy

Premier and Minister of Finance Dr Natalio Wheatley has promised to look into developing a diaspora policy to engage British Virgin Islanders living abroad in the development of their homeland.

He made the pledge during a meeting with Virgin Islander and students studying in the United Kingdom on Monday, May 8 at the British Virgin Islands London Office.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade, Lorna Smith, OBE and Minister of  Education, Youth Affairs and Sports Sharie de Castro also attended the social function.

A government statement said Premier Wheatley “acknowledged that there are a large number of trained Virgin Islanders in various disciplines throughout the world and looked forward to developing a structured way in which they can be engaged to address various challenges in the Territory.”

The release added that Wheatley said he remains “committed to the development of Virgin Islands population locally and abroad, through active dialogue, engagement and the facilitation of programmes and policies aimed at socio-economic advancement.”

Topics discussed included advancements in the education curriculum, incentives for Virgin Islanders to return home, assistance for persons with dementia, specialist healthcare needs, the cost of living, the use of artificial intelligence for solving crime, and the referendum on same sex marriages.

The students who attended the function are pursuing various disciplines, including Law, Government and Political Science, Marine Engineering, and Science.

Virgin Islanders also took the opportunity to congratulate Wheatley on the formation of his new administration and wished him.