From left: BVI Special Envoy Benito Wheatley, BVI Premier Natalio D. Wheatley, DR Vice Minister Hugo Rivera and DR Ambassador Silvio Herasme Pena.
ROAD TOWN, BVI--The British Virgin Islands (BVI) and the Dominican Republic (DR) have reaffirmed the economic importance of the Greater Caribbean as the region seeks to boost its economic dynamism and resilience, according to a BVI government press release .
BVI Premier Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley and DR Vice Minister for Cooperation Hugo Rivera discussed the advantages of Caribbean countries doing more trade with each other and the need for enhanced connectivity between economies to facilitate the process.
They also highlighted the need for closer cooperation on air and sea transport to optimise the economic potential and productivity of the region, the release states.
In terms of bilateral economic relations, they discussed their economies’ tourism sectors and the potential for cooperation that could mutually benefit both sides. They agreed that their respective teams would have further discussions on sectors of cooperation ahead of a BVI trade mission in the weeks ahead.
Speaking on the bilateral meeting, Premier Wheatley said, “The British Virgin Islands as a fellow member of the Association of Caribbean States family, shares the view of the Dominican Republic and Member States of the regional organisation, that the Greater Caribbean has untapped economic potential that can be unlocked through closer regional cooperation. At [a – Ed.] bilateral level, the BVI and DR continue to explore the sectors where we can work together for mutual economic benefit. In addition to the sectors already identified in previous BVI-DR exchanges, tourism and sea and air transport are important sectors where cooperation could add tremendous value. The BVI will remain engaged with the DR as arrangements are made for a trade mission in the very near future”.
Premier Wheatley and Vice Minister Rivera earlier met in the margins of the 10th Summit of the Heads of Government and/or State in Cartagena, Colombia, the release concludes.
