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  by pltm
• Feb 02, 2023
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(PLTM) - Without much information forthcoming from the Governor's office and from the Government of National Unity, Minister for the Overseas Territories, the Rt Hon Lord Goldsmith, will conclude his visit today, February 2.

Shortly after midday on Wednesday, February 1, the Government announced that Lord Goldsmith had arrived in the British Virgin Islands a day earlier on a three-day visit.

A lot is at play for the BVI as Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr. Natalio Wheately has requested an extension of the deadline to implement several reforms based on the recommendations from the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) which identified several areas for the tightening of good Governance measures.

Governor, John Rankin while outlining the minister’s programme said: “I welcome The Rt Hon Lord Goldsmith to the Territory on his first official visit to these beautiful islands to discuss the implementation of the COI recommendations and to help get a greater understanding of the issues facing the BVI.”

The minister will meet with elected representatives, senior officials, and community representatives. His programme will focus on both security and environmental issues, with a visit to RVIPF’s Marine Base and to Anegada to see the impact of the Stony Coral Tissues Loss Disease.

The Rt Hon Lord Goldsmith said that he is pleased to have the opportunity to visit the Virgin Islands.

“I am keen to meet the people here and to learn more about the BVI first-hand. I look forward to discussions focusing on the reform programme and how to ensure momentum is maintained,” the Minister for Overseas Territories said.

Lord Goldsmith said he was also excited to see the range of conservation and biodiversity projects and discuss potential areas where the Governments of the VI and the UK can further work together in helping build the Territory’s resilience to climate change.

The Rt Hon Lord Goldsmith succeeds The Rt Hon Amanda Milling who previously visited the Virgin Islands as Minister for the Overseas Territories in 2022.

Milling had visited the BVI shortly after the release of the CoI report and the arrest of former Premier and Minister of Finance, Andrew Fahie in Miami on cocaine and money laundering charges.

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