USVI and BVI officials met on St. Thomas for first Inter Virgin Islands Council session since 2020

U.S. Virgin Islands and British Virgin Islands officials met at Government House on St. Thomas on Sept. 22, 2022, for the ninth annual Inter Virgin Islands Council meeting, the first session between the two governments since 2020.

British Virgin Islands Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley, Deputy Premier Kye Rymer and members of their Cabinet met with Gov. Albert Bryan Jr., Lt. Gov. Tregenza Roach and members of the U.S. Virgin Islands Cabinet.

According to Government House, the delegations discussed using the U.S. Virgin Islands fiber-optic network to help the British Virgin Islands establish free Wi-Fi hotspots for residents. Other topics included possible passes to bypass customs procedures for U.S. Virgin Islands residents attending festivals in the British Virgin Islands, U.S. customs pre-clearance for travelers arriving on St. Thomas en route to the British Virgin Islands, reciprocal agreements for business licenses for day charters and water taxis, reciprocal fishing-license arrangements, and efforts to streamline the overnight charter market.

Bryan also said he had given the British Virgin Islands delegation a letter naming Department of Consumer Affairs Commissioner Richard Evangelista as secretary general to the council for the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Also attending on behalf of the U.S. Virgin Islands were Customs and Border Protection Port Director for the Virgin Islands Todd Bellew, U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Jan League, and Virgin Islands Professional Charter Association Executive Director Oriel Blake.

The meeting ended with a motion to hold the next Inter Virgin Islands Council meeting in the British Virgin Islands on a date to be determined.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/premier-wheatley-brings-bvi-government-to-st-thomas-for-first-inter-virgin-islands-council-meeting-since-2020/