VI to soon have 'high-level engagement' with Dominican Republic- Premier Wheatley

Email this Article

Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D Wheatley (R7) has said his government will be looking to forge a stronger working relationship with the Dominican Republic in the future. Photo: Internet Source

Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D Wheatley (R7) has said the Dominican Republic is a massive economic power in this hemisphere, and it makes sense for the Virgin Islands to have a relationship with that country. Photo: Facebook

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has said his government will be looking to forge a better working relationship with the Dominican Republic soon.

Premier Wheatley said this during a press conference on Monday, September 30, 2024. This comes on the heels of the official announcement of visa-free travel to the VI for Guyana nationals and follows a trade mission to Guyana in mid-2023.

"We can expect that we will have similar missions to other areas of importance. For instance, I will soon have high-level engagement with officials from the Dominican Republic," the leader of government business stated.

Economic Powerhouse

Premier Wheatley added that in addition to nationals of Guyana and St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominican Republic nationals rank in the top three for non-Virgin Islanders residing in the Territory.

In addition, the Dominican Republic’s economy is doing well. The Premier said he recalls the Dominican Republic was the second largest recipient of direct foreign investment into the Western Hemisphere.

“The Dominican Republic is a massive economic power in this hemisphere, and it makes sense for us to have a relationship with them,” he explained.

VI has historic ties with DR

Meanwhile, Premier Wheatley said the VI and the Dominican Republic have much more in common than with Guyana.

“We have many persons who have gone to the Dominican Republic to work, this is back before we had our modern economy when we had to go cut cane and work in the sugar factories. So, we have historic and familial ties and the Dominican Republic as it pertains to their economy is massive,” he stated.

Premier Wheatley also said great opportunities lay ahead in tourism and agriculture with a better relationship with the Dominican Republic.

28 Responses to “VI to soon have 'high-level engagement' with Dominican Republic- Premier Wheatley”

Strategic Long Term Planning (01/10/2024, 10:41) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
It’s strategic of the Premier to recognize the importance of building relationships with regional economic powerhouses. Sadly, many in the BVI fail to see just how well the Dominican Republic is performing economically. The assumption that those coming to the BVI from DR in search of opportunity represent the entire country is shortsighted. It’s no different from the many BV Islanders who have gone abroad, achieved success, and then returned home
- Nice (01/10/2024, 13:31) Like (5) Dislike (12) Reply
  I agree. Please do not forget Jamdown. We need visa free visits as well.
  - @Nice (02/10/2024, 05:32) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well Premier mean well I believe, but he can't give away the Territory.
    Please please Premier don't be so quick to make these moves to fast.
    - East End and long look (02/10/2024, 07:46) Like (1) Dislike (8) Reply
      I have been saying for years why the bvi give exemption to country like Venezuela who have not done anything for us and Santodomingo who help feed our people, by giving them the privilege to work there. I am asking for you all to fix that for years. Now you giving it to Guyana. What help Guyana was to us? Not one bit, but they getting exemption ,and putting our people through hell to come here. THAT IS NOT A GOOD WAY OF TELLING SANTODOMINGO THANKS FOR WHAT THEY DID FOR US. FIX IT PLEASE
- Why Guyanese 1st. (01/10/2024, 13:37) Like (17) Dislike (4) Reply
  Santo Domingans feed our grand and great vrand Parents when things were hard with us they welcome our people with open Arms and gave them work..Why mankind so ungrateful, How you going give Prejudice Guyanese freedom to entry before Santo Domingand
  S No wonder the Sun so hot and the Storms so deadly
  
  ..
  - Wellsah (02/10/2024, 07:53) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    tell the rest of the story. when virgin islanders were helping their labour shortage and they cut the visas to keep those jobs for their own. nationalism always come first when threatened
    - Full Story Please! (03/10/2024, 13:04) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Also, they treated our foreparents like dirt and paid them less than chickfeed. My father told the whole story and that is why he made a boomerang move after 6 months and never went back. How he and others were treated deserve NO thanks, but to God for surviving such atrocities!
San Moral (01/10/2024, 11:19) Like (6) Dislike (19) Reply
...the importance of building relationship with regional powerhouses....
The DR is one of the poorest and with high illiteracy in the Caribbean.
In addition,the systematic and ongoing genocide of Haitians ,how do you allow your conscience to even align with Haiti #1 enemy?m No good can come out of this!! No moral . No brotherhood No self respect,
- @San Moral (01/10/2024, 11:51) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
  One of the poorest? you havent done your homework. Probably about 15 years ago . And we could learn alot about how they grew from what thery were to what they are now. Dominican Republic has the largest economy in the Caribbean based on GDP (Gross Domestic Product). It ranks first among Caribbean nations, with a GDP exceeding $100 billion USD. You are basing your opinion on emotion not facts
Niek Bod (01/10/2024, 11:55) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
That sounds good, BVI does not have any industries, there are no large ones in the current project at the moment, but countries such as Guyana and the DR are already developing and need their own legal and documented workers, all within the framework of the laws, and will be welcomed.
No my son (01/10/2024, 11:59) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
Leave well enough alone. I agree, no good will come out of this.
Jhon Real (01/10/2024, 12:08) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
San Moral, you have to inform yourself better before writing. I heard from mouth to mouth what you say about Haiti and the DR. It is not reality, it is the Haitian Lobby that promotes what is in your mouse's mind. The Dominican Republic is open to the world but in a documented way. No one can come through your yard like Juan through his house and more than that, claim what he does not have in your house. No island is ever heard asking BVI for a right that does not correspond to it. I did not write my name in this message because I do not trust you because it is frustrated.
Buffalo soldier (01/10/2024, 12:41) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
@San Moral: Before once should comment an such an issue that is going on in the Dominican Republic one must first educate oneself about what is really going on and not just repeat propaganda. I am a Dominican I with one grandfather from the nation of Haiti and I assure you that your comment is so far from the truth. out of all the countries worldwide the Dominican Republic has been the only one that have given the Hattians assistances beyond our own capacity. their females give birth free of charge, most of them have employment and they live tax free and if I go on, I won't finish typing today. Now let me tell you what's real issue here; most of them are very ungrateful, they burn our flags, rape our women, kill our people, and hate us for no reason all with the historical belief that the Dominican Republic stole they land from them, and they have their mind made up that one day they will reclaim it back. our history with Haiti is not a racial one but rather a historical one in which the grudge from that past is still intact. one country decided to grow and move on by creating wealth and prosperity for its people while the other sat down and depend on and witchcraft to obtain they wealth. now we saw the results of both sides. so, before we make an opinion not just about this topic but any topic of importance, we most first educate ourselves so we can then share some light instead of negativity.
Saw this coming (01/10/2024, 12:42) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
SMH
2024 (01/10/2024, 13:47) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
expanding the clubs and facilities for the ladies to fix their bodies
DR BOYS (01/10/2024, 14:13) Like (14) Dislike (2) Reply
You want to give visa free to DR nationals? the same nationals here that getting smuggle to USA and involved in the coco business? lol we really in for it now mehson. did yall see the past news where the people shoot at police while fleeing on the waters? that was DR nationals... i rest my case USVI soon stop that treaty with us when them see an influx of Spanish nationals pouring over into their waters. We have spanish nationals also involved in prostitution smh

imagine this plus independence lmfao we set the record and beat Trinidad if that ever happens. lemme apply for my USA documents.. they not better but at least there will be some sort of order there!
- @ DR BOYS (01/10/2024, 15:49) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
  what is the coco business or should I ask maynard when they come Home
My only comment (01/10/2024, 15:03) Like (6) Dislike (7) Reply
What would happen if the US cut off the American Dollar from the BVI?
- Tolian (01/10/2024, 17:05) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
  THE EXPATS WILL GO HOME THEY WOULD BE NO MORE NEED FOR TORTOLA FOR THEM PERIOD
Ok, so (01/10/2024, 16:07) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
When you hear the Premier is going on a trip to the DR, you will know why. The only thing I would expect is the Premier to do and should do is get the people’s input on this decision.
hmm (01/10/2024, 17:49) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
In the Dominican Republic, the money doesn't circulate to the people if you are born poor no matter your education you will die poor. It's the same in Guyana with the Gold and its the same with the oil just like Trinidad. Those Governments don't care about the people just foreign investors.

I really don't understand what Lorna and Natalio are expecting from there. As far as the Dominican Republic feeding Tolians. They were open to the entire Caribbean who went there for work and believe me it was no paradise, especially for the dark-skinned immigrants they had to endure a lot of prejudice even to this day.
Mr. Premier (01/10/2024, 17:56) Like (14) Dislike (3) Reply
Please do not do this. Not all welcomed with opened arms. You did not hear the horror story of men who were beaten and jailed over a piece of cane. People are today enjoying everything we have. Visa from Guyana should have never been lifted. A good bit don't even like us. What a big mistake you are making. Look at how you are making us hate our own country. Just wow.
Mr. Premier (01/10/2024, 21:04) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
What is your motive behind this? Why Santo Domingo? First of all, Santo Domingo is dirt poor. The only thing they have going for them is a few hotels. If it was that good, they would not be flooding Tortola. We don’t need anymore Santos flooding this place.They are just here to get as much of the America dollar as they can to take back to Santo Domingo and laugh at us and say we are stupid. Then you got the lunatic bush men in Tortola giving them their hard earn money or marrying them or breeding them so they can get status in the Territory. I heard a Santo woman say with my own two ears that the men in Tortola is easy, stupid and can be manipulated. I almost slap her across her ugly Botox filled face.
and guess what (01/10/2024, 21:08) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
When you go to the DR for your meeting Premiere, please do everyone a favor and stay down there with your new friends.
Santo isn't recognized (01/10/2024, 23:48) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
Or rated
No
Other countries even speak about them
Besides usa who goes to get their body done in the slaughterhouse cheap plastic surgery that's all
The men goes for cheap s@x
first of all (02/10/2024, 04:52) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
Why would you want to do business with these people that is coming here to further destroy and take from the Territory. Honestly, no one want to do business with them. Do you see any Santos in any high level jobs anywhere they go? I guess high level jobs for them is doing hair, selling food, serving drinks, prostitution and human smuggling. You already give the Guyanese full rein now you are about to give the Santos full rein of the Territory. I agree, when you go there to get in bed with them and sell out the Territory don’t come back.
slow (02/10/2024, 11:01) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
You better slow down giving away this territory to everyone. The burden of helthcare is already great. Smuggling ring great, housing shortage, we don't print money, we dont have food stamp. More negative than positive slow down please. Mother land don't help us as they should. We have to fend for ourselves. BVI is not a dumping ground don't allow this to happen to your people. Where are all these jobs coming from after they visits and decide to overstay in this territory. Don't say no you have measures in place to curb that. We the people of this territory know better.

Having to get a Visa is the way to go. It will slow down entry. Of couse they can smuggle in still. Keep a tight range on this little territory.
Slow down you see what is happening now verses when our parents went out for help. But you can't facilitate all. Different error keep that ever before your mind.
Daisy (03/10/2024, 13:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
The BVI is out of it poor country. What have we done to deserve this. Every other country is trying to generate money into there country but BVi is on another mission.

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.

VI to soon have 'high-level engagement' with Dominican Republic- Premier Wheatley

28 Responses to “VI to soon have 'high-level engagement' with Dominican Republic- Premier Wheatley”

Create a comment

Create a comment

Follow Us On