All News

Statement on Hurricane Maria and the impact on the BVI’s international business and finance centre by Lorna Smith, Interim Executive Director of BVI Finance: 

“The full impact of Hurricane Maria is still emerging, but thankfully we were spared the brunt of it as the eye passed south of our islands. Reconstruction efforts have therefore continued along with ongoing humanitarian support. 

For the international business and finance centre, Hurricane Maria caused minimal disruption with many firms able to continue providing key services to clients throughout. This is thanks to the successful implementation of business continuity plans, which includes many firms partnering with their international networks on an interim basis. Importantly, the company register continues to function via the online portal, VIRRGIN. Furthermore, having temporarily relocated to Castries, St Lucia, the Commercial Division of the High Court remains scheduled to start hearing matters on Monday 25th September. 

In such circumstances I remain incredibly grateful to the private sector for their herculean efforts to support the BVI through this critical phase and in their commitments to the future. 

Looking forward, with the support of key partners including the Governments of the BVI and UK, the BVI’s international business and finance centre – which mediates over US$1.5 trillion of investment globally – will return to normalcy. Fundamentally, despite recent events the BVI remains open for business now and for the future.”