|
|
|
|
News from the Caribbean as of
|
UK opposition MP to visit the BVI
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
ROAD TOWN, BVI: United Kingdom opposition Member of Parliament, Mark Simmonds, will be visiting the British Virgin Islands from February 4-10, 2007 on a familiarisation visit.
Mr Simmonds' visit is being coordinated by the BVI International Affairs Secretariat (IAS) as part of the Secretariat’s efforts to strengthen the territory’s relationship with "BVI Friends" who are members of the UK Parliament.
Director of International Affairs, Lorna Smith, said “When we build close relationships with parliamentarians it helps to raise the profile of the BVI and affords the territory effective representation and influence in the United Kingdom and in the European community generally. Meetings and tours have been planned that would expose Mr Simmonds to the economic, social and political life of the BVI in some of his specific areas of interest,” noted the Director.
Smith added that Simmonds is a strong advocate for the BVI and other UK overseas territories in the British Parliament and also recognises the United Kingdom’s strong historic ties with the Caribbean.
“In Parliament he impressed on the UK Government the need to pay attention to the effects that the European Union Savings Directive would have on the BVI economy and other Caribbean territories,” said Smith.
Included in Simmonds itinerary are meetings with Chief Minister Dr Orlando Smith and Governor David Pearey.
He will also meet with Deputy Chief Minister, Ronnie Skelton, Speaker of the Legislative Council, Inez Archibald, Leader of the Opposition, Ralph O’Neal, and members of the BVI Constitutional Negotiation Team.
Other meetings will include officials from the Ministry of Health and Social Development, Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour, the Financial Services Commission, BVI International Finance Centre, the Ministry of Education and Culture, and the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College.
He will also visit the BVI High School in Road Town and the Bregado Flax Educational Centre in the Valley, Virgin Gorda.
Simmonds is the Shadow Minister for International Development with the Conservative Party. Three parliamentarians from the Labour Party made a similar familiarisation visit to the BVI last May. The visiting MPs were also members of the BVI All Party Parliamentary Group.
Back...
Most popular articles: viewed, printed and e-mailed
 Printable version
|
|
