BVI Delegation Concludes Trade Mission to Latin
A Government-led delegation from the Virgin Islands completed a five-day trade mission to Latin America from 27 to 31 October, meeting business leaders and professional advisers in São Paulo, Montevideo and Buenos Aires to promote the Territory’s financial services and deepen commercial ties, according to a Government press release. The visit broadened partnerships across the region, reinforced the BVI’s role in facilitating cross-border trade and investment, and included networking events that strengthened links with local trust and estate practitioners and legal advisors.
A Government-led delegation from the Virgin Islands concluded a five-day trade mission to Latin America from 27 to 31 October, meeting business leaders and professional advisers in São Paulo, Montevideo and Buenos Aires to promote the Territory’s financial services sector and deepen commercial ties, the Government said in a press release.
The delegation was led by the Honourable Lorna Smith OBE and included Kenneth Baker, Managing Director of the Financial Services Commission, and Elise Donovan, Chief Executive Officer of BVI Finance. The Ministry of Financial Services, Economic Development and Digital Transformation led the mission, which the Government said reflects the Territory’s commitment to being a well-regulated international finance centre built on integrity, innovation and reliability.
The visit began in São Paulo with a reception at the Grand Hyatt Hotel that brought together leading members of Brazil’s business community. Delegates used the event to outline recent Government reforms that they say have strengthened legal certainty, delivered a consistent and proportionate regulatory approach, and supported a world-class cadre of experienced professionals.
The Government’s materials also highlighted steps taken to strengthen the Territory’s financial system and uphold global standards so investors can transact securely and responsibly. From São Paulo the delegation moved on to Montevideo, Uruguay, where targeted meetings focused on the BVI’s offer to family offices and other asset managers.
Presentations in Montevideo emphasised the Territory’s services for family offices and asset managers and showcased regulatory and legal reforms designed to protect investors while maintaining competitiveness. In Buenos Aires the Honourable Lorna Smith met separately with representatives from STEP Buenos Aires and Untitled Strategic Legal Consulting.
Discussions in Argentina centred on beneficial ownership, BVI corporate structures and the Territory’s emerging virtual asset service legislation. The Buenos Aires leg also included networking events hosted by the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners and industry expert Martin Litwak, Founder & CEO of Untitled Strategic Legal Consulting, which the Government said helped strengthen ties with the Latin American financial community.
Kenneth Baker told delegates and local stakeholders that the mission revealed strong and growing demand for BVI products and services. "Stakeholders expressed great interest in our legitimate interest access policies and public register issues," he said, adding that it is vital to uphold policies that ensure both client protection and regulatory integrity, in full compliance with international legal rulings (Government press release).
The Government noted that Latin America accounts for approximately 25 percent of the Virgin Islands’ beneficial ownership register and that professionals across the region—lawyers, accountants and corporate service providers—continue to use BVI structures for complex transactions in sectors such as energy, infrastructure, agribusiness, mining, petrochemicals, technology and family offices.
Honourable Smith described the mission as "highly productive and rewarding," saying the visit reaffirmed the Virgin Islands’ status as a trusted global partner and highlighted the importance of deepening engagement beyond traditional markets such as Panama to include the southern region.
For residents of the Virgin Islands, officials say the mission underlines ongoing efforts to attract and preserve international business that supports local service providers, jobs and government revenue, while helping the Territory maintain compliance with international standards and open new opportunities for BVI professionals.
Primary source: BVI Government