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Premier Wheatley to attend Monaco Yacht Show; Hon Smith @ helm of VI

-Premier to also attend UN Meeting in NYC set for Oct 3 & 4
Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) will lead a delegation from the Virgin Islands Shipping Registry to the Monaco Yacht Show which is an annual international show dedicated to the world of superyachts. Photo: GIS/File
Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade, Honourable Lorna G. Smith (AL), OBE, has been appointed to act as Premier and Minister of Finance from September 23 to October 5 while Premier Wheatley is away from the Virgin Islands. Photo: GIS/File
Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade, Honourable Lorna G. Smith (AL), OBE, has been appointed to act as Premier and Minister of Finance from September 23 to October 5 while Premier Wheatley is away from the Virgin Islands. Photo: GIS/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley )(R7) is away from the Territory attending the Monaco Yacht Show until October 1 and the United Nations Meeting in New York on October 3 and 4, 2023.

Dr Wheatley will lead a delegation from the Virgin Islands Shipping Registry to the Monaco Yacht Show which is an annual international show dedicated to the world of superyachts.

According to a press release from Government Information Service (GIS) today, September 25, 2023, Premier Wheatley stated, “The BVI is the sailing capital of the world. We are an excellent destination to experience the wonders of the sea. Moreover, we can offer world-class services through our Red Ensign Category 1 Shipping Registry. The Monaco Yacht Show allows us the opportunity to promote the benefits of sailing and registering in the BVI.”

Premier to make statement to UN 4th Committee

While in New York, Premier Wheatley will make a statement to the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonisation) at the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly at UN Headquarters.

The Premier’s attendance at these events is to continue to promote the overall socio-economic and political interests of the Virgin Islands.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade, Honourable Lorna G. Smith (AL), OBE, has been appointed to act as Premier and Minister of Finance from September 23 to October 5 while Premier Wheatley is away from the Virgin Islands.  

48 Responses to “Premier Wheatley to attend Monaco Yacht Show; Hon Smith @ helm of VI ”

  • bbc (25/09/2023, 18:52) Like (53) Dislike (3) Reply
    what is the priority
    • Advantageous (25/09/2023, 19:20) Like (61) Dislike (4) Reply
      Why is it necessary for the Premier to attend…splurging on the Government’s purse.
    • @bbc (25/09/2023, 23:11) Like (4) Dislike (21) Reply
      I am usually hard on the Premier about travel but I agree with this one. If BVI can secure a solid market through Shipping Registry then the BVI have the potential to bring in at least quarter to half of the money Financial Services is bringing in so this trip is critical to get thay started.
    • my 2 cents (26/09/2023, 17:00) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      1. himslef
      2. himself
      3. himself
      4. you get the picture
  • long look me come from (25/09/2023, 19:13) Like (5) Dislike (26) Reply
    best of luck to you Premier on your latest trip at least you hold a press conference and report unlike kedrick
  • hmm (25/09/2023, 19:26) Like (53) Dislike (10) Reply
    Why does the premier need to go to Monaco. Surely tge Tourist Board senior managers would be better. This is a real jolly on our $$
    • @ lol (25/09/2023, 20:24) Like (21) Dislike (0) Reply
      remember the last one went did not make it back
    • craziness (26/09/2023, 19:52) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      prison on lockdown but he busy Saturday morning jumping on plane to go monoco to do what and y'all taking this meson get this fool from here

      go and don't come back waste ah time
  • ccc (25/09/2023, 19:32) Like (7) Dislike (16) Reply
    Lorna and her team of technical officers have been working hard.
  • Lb (25/09/2023, 19:33) Like (3) Dislike (52) Reply
    The fact is the bvi remarkable growth has been fuelled by the vip being in office
    • What!!!!! (26/09/2023, 19:55) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      what you smoking ....man ayo on some weird shite here de man.

      this man curse things he involved in ifails he is a waste how he is premier I don't no
  • Real Talk (25/09/2023, 20:03) Like (54) Dislike (7) Reply
    What is his role an observer wasting tax payers money give me a fing break with this incompetent man.
  • nonsense (25/09/2023, 20:12) Like (27) Dislike (2) Reply
    So he prefer that and not the teachers and schools
    • Mayhem (26/09/2023, 16:59) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      say what you want

      justify however suits you but this shit done

      you only seeking your own interests while people suffer

      foolishness absolute foolishness
  • smdh (25/09/2023, 21:09) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    I staying home until I get my increment,I can't wait until next August.
  • WHAT!!!! (25/09/2023, 21:22) Like (24) Dislike (1) Reply
    How much of our tax payers money been wasted on unnecessary government travel accommodation and food??
    Always someone going somewhere if it was their own money would not be happening for sure.
  • khadafi (25/09/2023, 21:39) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is why the place can't run better. Instead of leading y'all up and down following.
  • resident (25/09/2023, 21:40) Like (27) Dislike (0) Reply
    All these people do is travel and take pics, next he will be back in England again
  • NO!! (25/09/2023, 22:19) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    This man respond to the teachers yet? Where are the protests??
  • y (25/09/2023, 22:50) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why we sending doaty Over there 4?
  • Youth (25/09/2023, 23:12) Like (3) Dislike (21) Reply
    This trip is worth it. It is going to help BVI tremendously.
  • Rubber Duck (26/09/2023, 02:43) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well Slow Wonder has solved all of the BVIs problems ( except Prospect Reef ) and is now jetting around the world at taxpayer expense.

    So thats alright.
  • Contrarian (26/09/2023, 05:13) Like (20) Dislike (1) Reply
    What is the purpose and value of the Premier attending a yacht show in Monoco? Is this another travel boon doggle? Is this an unforced errors that deserves blows? Is this green team deaf or it does not give a rat’s a$$? Common on mon, if you going to take blows and criticism at least make it for something there is a credible defense for. Experience, lack of is a muda…. What are the paid advisors doing?
  • sir (26/09/2023, 06:18) Like (26) Dislike (1) Reply
    As soon as an even pops up, our lovely Premier is on a plane. Why? He is doing everything except what he was elected to do. My god man, send who is relevant and in that industry to the show. Why you going boss in our tax money when people can’t even take a shower?
  • In the Industry (26/09/2023, 06:33) Like (24) Dislike (0) Reply
    What is he hoping to achieve, fresh in the minds of the Superyacht Industry is the treament they recrived from the BVI a couple of years ago, the usual, send your money but don't come!
  • Ridiculous (26/09/2023, 07:45) Like (2) Dislike (36) Reply
    I listened to crazy Cindy on Tola yesterday morning ranting against our premier who was elected. Her childish behavior literally drives me nuts.
  • Monaco (26/09/2023, 07:55) Like (23) Dislike (1) Reply
    That is the boat show of all boat shows. The playground of the Super rich. The "intention" is to build networking opportunities for vessels to register in the BVI. It looks good when those vessels are in our waters but they don't spend money here? If they need parts, they ship them to St. Martin. Why? 1) because import is duty free 2) They have the facilities and the infrastructure to accommodate them. 3) They have an INTL airport 4) They have luxury accommodations for that type of clientele. Save for VG, we don't have that.
    The owners or the guests that board those vessels don't provision here, they don't buy fuel here, they don't shop here... but they do come to look. This is a beautiful destination, unlike no other. But we can't charge them for watching.
    • @Monaco (26/09/2023, 13:04) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      You nailed it with your comment. I could not agree more. You clearly understand the marine tourism and yachting industry far better than our premier or the shipping registry. There is so much more this govt could do to encourage the sectors of the marine industry where people actually spend money but these jokers are blind to it. All they see is big yachts and cruise ship tourists. Neither of which spend a dime here.
  • agreed (26/09/2023, 07:59) Like (1) Dislike (8) Reply
    Not sure if it was intentional but sure summed up the overall attitude of Myron and Marlone talking talking talking trying to make the government look bad. The election was 5 months ago and either marlone or Myron could have convinced a live rat to put the ndp back in office so they both need to stop??!!!
  • lost voter (26/09/2023, 08:09) Like (20) Dislike (0) Reply
    i voted for VIP all the way..but this just takes the biscuit. what in the world is the benefit of the premier going to monaco...and does this mean that his "team" who may well be needed at the UN are jetting to Monaco also. We need to demand to see what this costs us.
    Lorna would have been better suited for the Monaco trip ( if anyone had to go) because of her FSC background and the very nature of Monaco and its show.
    this is just rediculous and shows how little he cares about the BVI purse. more airmiles for him, more luxury living at our expense...maybe he sees that this is his one and only term as our leader and wants to maximise his own experience.

    absolute BS
    • @lost voter (26/09/2023, 09:09) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
      I agree. We should be seeing the overall cost of all these travels.
    • @ Lost Voter (26/09/2023, 14:14) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      No value add for Natalee to be there to be honest. It’s just collecting AIR MILES and a free trip he would have NEVER EVER been able to go there. Maybe he realizes that the pony show is close to be closed down and its curtains for him and his motley crew of misfits.

      Then again; they take us all for fools so why not go Monaco on 1st class/business class and stay in an opulent hotel eating at Michelin starts restaurants on the BVI purse!!! Another example of waste and blatant disregard of prudent and fiscal responsibility by this dude….pathetic!
    • smh (26/09/2023, 19:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      team means he and who he wants and nobody can't do a damn thing about it and Ronnie and myron dem ent doing nothing to stop this man what wrong wid y'all....bvi going down the drain
  • Me (26/09/2023, 08:33) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    When ever I hear this man going to represent this COUNTRY on world stage I cringe.I say country ,not me his four hundred plus voters.Boi is not a leader then again he have advisors.King Charles pls. Come
  • WOW (26/09/2023, 08:39) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    I can’t even get a chance to talk to my ppl Leader..Sir I will need go to pay a bit attention to home (BVI).u always gone…Balance it better
  • The Commissioner (26/09/2023, 08:46) Like (22) Dislike (0) Reply
    We have a travelling jest set Premier while his country burns.... literally. He is busy racking up air miles to use when we send him on vacation in 4 years and he still collects US$10k from the greedy bill. This is insulting to the citizenry and come to think if it - we dont even get a report of what is being achieved from all this travel??
  • WTF (26/09/2023, 09:22) Like (23) Dislike (2) Reply
    What we gonna sell at Monaco? VISR is a laughing stock compared to other OTs. We just gonna show everyone what we don't have.

    Nobody in Monaco is interested in the BVI, with all its restrictions to keep their yachts out. Nobody in Monaco cares about who our Premier is or what he says.

    This was a waste of money until we could show them what we have DONE. Nobody cares about our empty promises about what we gonna do.
    • hmm (26/09/2023, 10:52) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      he think everybody does believe BS those people about business not BS hot air
  • His (26/09/2023, 09:57) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    presence in Monaco will surely discourage all superyachts from every visiting the BVI. Definite lose-lose for the desperate BVI.
  • ok (26/09/2023, 10:26) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    The last time our Premier went to one of these shows, he get what the duck get. Be careful my friend.
  • Dave (26/09/2023, 10:30) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    How many people that actually work in and understand this industry did they take with them?
  • lmfao (26/09/2023, 10:50) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    prison on lockdown, drugs here there and everywhere
    they add raping to the the list of crimes
    the teachers striking and all he doing is f****king lying travelling and partying



  • smh (26/09/2023, 11:38) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    REALLY, THIS GUY TRAVELLING AGAIN!!! BUT STILL NO MONEY TO PAY OFF INCREMENTS, TEACHERS SALARY UPGRADES, PUBLIC LIBRARY, FISHERIES DEPOT, ITS MIDDLE OF HURRICANE SEASON, IS THE TERRITORY AND ITS PEOPLE WELL ASSURED AND PREPARED? BOI, WHAT A WASTE FOR A SECOND TERMER. BOTH HIM AND DECASTRO.
  • De people's money (26/09/2023, 13:04) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    The 7th district is already for wasting the Tax payers moneys. Dr.Pico is the boss at that, with travel and wasted money the only thing to show. The money this trip is costing Tax payers would have been better spent fixing the Seeagf in the 7th. his district
    Kendrick Malone holds the record for having been the first trip toona
  • WOW (26/09/2023, 13:27) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    It seems as if one of the requirements of being the 7th District Rep. is to travel the world. His predecessor was the same damn thing. And they all come back with absolutely nothing to show besides having a good time at Taxpayers expense.
  • just asking (26/09/2023, 19:58) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    Have I missed something? When did many of you out of hate and jealousy because you will never get elected turn into such a vicious hater like the usual bunch around?
  • hhhhmm (27/09/2023, 15:45) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Dumb, dumb and very stupid. The traveling premier.


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