Local News
Customer Service Care Centre Relocates to Burhym Building, Enhancing Service Delivery
The Customer Service Care Centre has completed its relocation to the first floor of the Burhym Building on De Castro Street in Road Town. This new location aims to provide an elevated level of service to clients, offering a more central and easily accessible space for walk-in services.
Deputy Governor, Mr. David D. Archer Jr., expressed his enthusiasm for the centre’s new home, viewing it as a significant step towards providing the best possible service to customers. He emphasized that the relocation would enhance the capacity and resources available to meet the needs of valued customers.
“As we continue to transform the Public Service, one client at a time, the Customer Service Care Centre is a testament to our commitment to exceptional customer service,” stated the Deputy Governor. “This move represents another crucial milestone in our ongoing efforts to elevate the level of service we provide to our customers.”
The new space of the Customer Service Care Centre allows for improved reception of customer feedback, increased visibility, and enhanced monitoring of the Government of the Virgin Islands’ service delivery tools. Customer Service Manager, Ms. Abbarah Brown, emphasized the team’s dedication to prioritizing customer needs across various departments.
“We are in the business of serving. Ensuring that our customers receive the highest level of care is paramount in everything we do,” said Ms. Brown. “This new centralized location empowers our team to better cater to all customer needs.”
The Customer Service Care Centre acts as a vital connection between individuals and the Government’s services, offering assistance with appointment bookings, switchboard operations, email inquiries, and more. Customers can now enjoy a hassle-free process when conducting business with the Government of the Virgin Islands.
To reach the centre, customers can contact them at 468-3701 or via email at customerservice@gov.vg. Additionally, customers are encouraged to book appointments with Government departments at bvips.org and rate their customer service experiences at rateus.gov.vg.
The Government of the Virgin Islands remains steadfast in its commitment to providing excellent customer service to all clients. With the relocation of the Customer Service Care Centre, the Government aims to continue delivering efficient and accessible services to the community.
Business
Caribbean Shipping Secures Exemption from U.S. Port Fees on Chinese-Built Vessels

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has exempted Caribbean shipping routes from newly proposed port fees on Chinese-built vessels. This decision follows concerted advocacy by the Caribbean Private Sector Organisation (CPSO) and regional stakeholders, who warned that the fees could have devastating economic consequences for the Caribbean.
The USTR’s initial proposal aimed to impose fees of up to $1.5 million per port call on vessels constructed in China, as part of a broader strategy to counter China’s dominance in global shipbuilding and bolster the U.S. maritime industry. However, the policy faced immediate backlash from Caribbean nations, where a significant portion of shipping relies on Chinese-built vessels.
Dr. Patrick Antoine, CEO and Technical Director of the CPSO, testified at a USTR public hearing, emphasizing that over 90% of CARICOM’s trade in goods depends on maritime transport. He warned that the proposed fees could lead to a 60% increase in shipping costs to and from the Caribbean, severely impacting economies where more than 50% of the ships are Chinese-built.
The potential repercussions were particularly alarming for smaller Caribbean states like Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, which rely heavily on short-sea shipping routes serviced by Chinese-built vessels. Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda expressed concern that shipping a container could increase by $3,000 to $4,000, leading to an 8–10% rise in consumer prices and pushing inflation rates to potentially 12–14%.
In response to these concerns, the USTR revised its policy to exempt ships operating between U.S. domestic routes, the Caribbean, U.S. territories, and Great Lakes ports from the new fees. This adjustment aims to prevent inflation, supply chain disruptions, and surging trade costs in the region.
The exemption has been met with relief across the Caribbean. Dr. Antoine expressed gratitude to the USTR for recognizing the unique challenges faced by Caribbean economies and for taking steps to safeguard regional trade stability.
While the exemption provides immediate relief, regional leaders and industry stakeholders continue to monitor the situation closely. They advocate for long-term strategies to enhance the resilience of Caribbean supply chains and reduce dependency on external factors that could disrupt trade.
Local News
Caribbean Leaders Call for Stronger Regional Cooperation Amid Global Trade Shifts

As international trade policies undergo seismic shifts, Caribbean leaders are urging a renewed commitment to regional cooperation to safeguard economic growth and sustainable development in Latin America and the Caribbean.
In a recent bilateral meeting held on the sidelines of the 8th Meeting of the Forum of the Countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, British Virgin Islands Special Envoy Benito Wheatley and Secretary General of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), H.E. Ambassador Noemí Espinoza Madrid, underscored the urgent need for deeper collaboration among Caribbean Basin nations and territories.
The two officials emphasized the pivotal role of the ACS in uniting its 35 Member States and Associate Members, facilitating development partnerships, and spearheading regional integration. With global trade realignments posing new challenges, both Wheatley and Espinoza highlighted the organization’s value in promoting sustainable growth through shared policy and strategic coordination.
“The ACS has an extremely important role to play at this time in mitigating the impacts of international trade policy on Latin America and the Caribbean,” said Wheatley. “The organisation is well positioned to facilitate closer cooperation across the Caribbean Basin with its strong focus on sustainable tourism, transport, disaster risk reduction, preservation of the Caribbean Sea, trade, and economic external relations.”
Ambassador Espinoza reiterated her commitment to a “successful, vibrant and sustainable Greater Caribbean,” aligning with a broader call for increased South-South and triangular cooperation — models that leverage partnerships among developing countries and external partners — to address pressing developmental challenges.
Wheatley reaffirmed the British Virgin Islands’ support for the ACS, noting that closer collaboration across the region would be essential in weathering economic uncertainty. He pointed to the upcoming ACS Summit in Cartagena, Colombia, as a critical opportunity to “redouble efforts” toward collective regional resilience.
The high-level meeting in Santiago gathered policymakers from across the hemisphere to assess progress on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. But behind the scenes, the discussions between Wheatley and Espinoza added another layer of urgency — one that reflects the growing consensus that the Caribbean must act in concert to protect its future.
As nations navigate a shifting global trade landscape, the message from Santiago is clear: the Greater Caribbean’s strength lies in its unity.
Local News
Team BVI Joins the Festivities at Carifta Games Opening Ceremony

With flags raised high and spirits even higher, the 52nd CARIFTA Games officially opened this afternoon at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain. The British Virgin Islands (BVI) delegation joined over 20 participating nations in a vibrant and colorful opening ceremony that signaled the start of three days of premier youth athletics in the Caribbean.
Team BVI, who departed the Territory on Thursday, April 17, arrived eager and ready to compete for podium finishes, national records, and personal bests. Accompanying the team are Minister of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, Hon. Sharie de Castro, along with coaches, officials, BVIAA executives, and proud parents.
The BVI Delegation includes:
Athletes: Antuan Maduro, Andre Allen, Sam’Asia Leonard, Macayla Logan, McKenzie Crabbe, Jameila Chambers, Shyra Stoutt, Ty’Rique “TyTy” Charles, J’Den Jackson, Othniel Gillings, A’Sia McMaster, Kijana Callwood, Makeda Christopher, Romeena Davis, Jahrime Allen, Latriel Williams, Jah’Kyla Morton, Deneil Clarke, Tiondre “Dre” Frett, Jabari Pemberton, Mario Carter, Jaheem Lennard-Joseph, Lashawn Gibbs, Shannia Johnson
Officials and Support Staff: Minister Sharie de Castro, Coach Winston Potter, Shaumal Donovan, BVIAA President Steve Augustine, BVIAA General Secretary Stephanie Russ Penn
The 2025 Games, running from April 19–21, mark the return of the competition to Trinidad and Tobago for the first time since 2005. Expectations are high as the region’s top junior athletes gather to compete in track and field events, with powerhouses like Jamaica, The Bahamas, and Barbados already making strong impressions in preliminary sessions.
This year’s campaign builds on Team BVI’s impressive showing in 2024 at the CARIFTA Games in Grenada. M’kenzii Crabbe made headlines with a 12.40-second finish in the Girls U17 100m heats, while Tiondre “Dre” Frett captured bronze in the Boys U20 200m with a time of 22.18 seconds—highlighting the BVI’s growing strength on the regional athletic stage.
Team BVI is ready to make their mark on Caribbean athletics once again.
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