BVI Pitches Itself as 'Super Connector' During
Premier Dr. the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley has positioned the British Virgin Islands as a premier 'super connector' for global business during the territory's inaugural trade mission to India. The high-level mission across four major commercial hubs aimed to foster long-term partnerships supporting India's economic expansion and establish the country as a major pillar of the BVI's financial services market.
The British Virgin Islands has successfully concluded its inaugural trade and business mission to India, reinforcing the territory's commitment to expanding its financial services footprint across Asia. Held from August 24 to August 31, 2026, the mission took place under the theme "BVI: A Strategic Partner in India's Global Expansion" and covered four major commercial hubs: Delhi, Mumbai, GIFT City, and Bengaluru.
Speaking to Indian media during the visit, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley described the Virgin Islands as an essential "super connector" in the international finance ecosystem. Highlighting the jurisdiction's proven 40-year track record, Premier Wheatley noted that the territory is home to more than 370,000 active business companies, accounts for a quarter of the world's hedge funds, and ranks as the second-largest global centre for fund formation and domicile.
He emphasized that the BVI's robust regulatory framework and cost-effective structures are ideally suited to assist Indian firms with international expansion and channel foreign direct investment into India. Premier Wheatley noted that the partnership is positioned to support India's vision of achieving Developed Country status by 2047, creating mutual economic value for both jurisdictions.
The BVI Government has set a long-term goal of developing India into a primary pillar of the territory's financial services market on a scale comparable to China by 2036, following three years of strategic groundwork. The delegation was jointly led by Premier Wheatley and Junior Minister for Financial Services Honourable Lorna G.
They were accompanied by key regulators and officials, including BVI Financial Services Commission Managing Director and CEO Kenneth B. Baker, Director of Financial Services Ayana I. Glasgow, BVI Hong Kong Office Director Dr. Ricardo Wheatley, Associate Director Siobhan M. Flax, and political economy officers Ronn A.
Additional delegates from the Premier's Office, the Ministry of Financial Services, BVI Finance, and the International Affairs Secretariat were joined by 18 private sector practitioners based across the BVI, Hong Kong, Mauritius, Dubai, Panama, and Europe. Across all four cities, the team engaged directly with Indian business leaders and investors to demonstrate the territory's competitive advantages.
Flax commended the execution of the mission, stating that the newly forged business ties will yield economic benefits for generations to come. The outreach forms part of a broader Asian engagement strategy led by the BVI Hong Kong Office, following earlier missions to China, Singapore, and Malaysia.
Primary source: VINO