Premier Wheatley defends trade missions as 12-member
Premier Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley and a 12-member delegation have arrived in India to begin a week-long financial services trade mission running from August 24 to 31, 2026. Speaking before his departure, Premier Wheatley defended the government's overseas travel, emphasizing the sector's vital role in funding local infrastructure.
Wheatley is currently leading a 12-member public-private financial services trade mission across India, following his departure from the Virgin Islands over the weekend for the week-long visit scheduled from August 24 to 31, 2026. Lettsome International Airport prior to leaving, Premier Wheatley addressed ongoing public criticism regarding his overseas travel.
The Premier underscored that the Territory is intimately connected to the global economy and explained that trade missions generate critical public revenue. He noted that partnerships forged abroad provide income through the financial services industry to build roads, construct schools, and maintain the Territory's healthcare infrastructure, cautioning that residents sometimes take for granted the role the BVI plays on the world stage.
The Premier's defense comes after Opposition Leader Marlon Penn raised concerns on the Talking Points programme, stating he had only heard whispers about the trip and had received no official information regarding the mission's cost or objectives. Official engagements commenced early Monday in New Delhi, starting with an interview with the Indian Business Law Journal.
Premier Wheatley subsequently held high-level discussions with India's Finance Minister. Concurrently, Junior Minister for Financial Services and Economic Development Lorna G. Smith led bilateral talks with Amardeep Singh Bhatia, Secretary of India's Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, followed by a meeting with Rashmi G. of India's International Customs Division.
The delegation also launched its first Financial Services Roadshow later in the day. The delegation includes Financial Services Commission Managing Director Kenneth B. Baker, International Affairs Secretariat Acting Director Dwynel D. Davis, Director of Financial Services Ayana I.
Glasgow, Acting Director of Communications Kareem Nelson-Hull, BVI Finance Marketing Director Rhodni A. Skelton, Private Secretary Xyrah Wheatley, and Hong Kong Office representatives Dr. Grant, alongside private sector practitioners. The mission follows a year-long outreach campaign conducted across India in 2025 by the BVI Government Representative Office in Hong Kong.
It aims to broaden the Territory's presence in one of the world's fastest-growing economies, showcasing local expertise in corporate structuring, investment funds, private wealth, and financial technology. Over the coming days, delegates will travel to GIFT City—India's International Financial Services Centre—as well as major commercial hubs Mumbai and Bengaluru for regulatory talks and business-to-business meetings.
Government officials and industry partners have committed to active follow-up efforts to convert these meetings into tangible business leads for local trust companies, law firms, fund administrators, and accounting professionals.
Primary source: BVI Government