Local News
Embrace The Spirit Of Togetherness, Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley Urged Residents In Virgin Islands Day Message
Today is Virgin Islands Day and British Virgin Islands Premier and Tourism Minister Dr Natalio Wheatley has urged Virgin Islanders to embrace the spirit of togetherness that keeps Virgin Islanders interconnected.
“Virgin Islands Day presents an opportunity for us to fully embrace and appreciate how our history and cultural heritage have shaped our character as a people. Our cultural expression has implications for our ethical framework, our resilience, our spirit of togetherness and essentially what keeps us interconnected,” the Premier shared in his official July 3 message.
The annual holiday is this year being observed under the theme ‘Virgin Islands Day Celebration: A Cultural Experience’. Virgin Islands Day is observed annually on the first Monday in July.
The Tourism Minister encouraged all residents and visitors to participate in the activities at Long Bay Beach at Beef Island on Tortola.
Activities include a praise party hosted by Brent Hoyte and Oneyke, a culture celebration service, a Virgin Islands Day official ceremony, traditional Virgin Islands games, cultural demonstrations, and a fishing competition organised in honour of Obell Penn.
“The fishing competition will be aimed at promoting the revitalisation of fishing in the Virgin Islands. Fishing is a time-honoured activity that has provided employment opportunities for the people of the Virgin Islands and has contributed significantly to integrating socio-economic development with Virgin Islands culture,” the statement said.
It added that the “Government of the Virgin Islands’ vision is a Virgin Islands where all Virgin Islanders feel a sense of belonging and pride, and actively participate in cultural activities that reflect their heritage and ultimately enrich their lives.”
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British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission Welcomes New Leadership
The British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission (BVIFSC) has announced new appointments to its governing board, with Mr. Gerard St Clair Farara KC stepping in as Chairman and Ms. Patlian Johnson as Commissioner. The appointments, confirmed by the Ministry of Financial Services, Labour, and Trade, mark a new chapter for the commission as it seeks to strengthen the territory’s financial services sector.
Mr. Gerard St Clair Farara KC has been appointed to a three-year term as Chairman, effective August 1, 2024. A seasoned legal expert with a distinguished career, Farara currently serves as a Commercial Court Judge for the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court and leads the litigation team at the BVI office of COLLAS CRILL, formerly Farara Kerins. Farara’s prominence in the legal community is further highlighted by his appointment as Queen’s Counsel in 1996, cementing his standing as a leading figure in the Virgin Islands Bar and the broader Eastern Caribbean.
Ms. Patlian Johnson will serve a one-year term as Commissioner, also beginning on August 1, 2024. Johnson, a Strategy and Policy Advisor with extensive experience, currently holds the position of National Coordinator for the UNDP Project Office. She brings an impressive academic background, including a Master of Science in Economics and Finance from the University of Bristol and a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Accounting with First Class Honours from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus.
The pair will replace outgoing Chairman Mr. Robin F. Gaul and Commissioner Mr. Melvin A. Turnbull, whose terms have concluded. Minister of Financial Services, Labour, and Trade, Honourable Lorna G. Smith, OBE (AL), praised the new appointments, stating, “I am delighted to welcome Mr. Farara and Ms. Johnson to the BVIFSC Board of Commissioners. Their combined expertise will be invaluable as we continue to navigate the challenges and opportunities facing the financial services sector.”
Smith also expressed gratitude to the departing board members for their significant contributions to the growth and stability of the territory’s financial services industry. According to the Government Information Service (GIS), these appointments underscore the Virgin Islands’ commitment to maintaining a well-regulated and competitive financial services sector.
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