BVI To Host BVI/USVI Friendship Day Later This month

TORTOLA — The BVI will host the annual celebrations to mark the 42nd Celebration of BVI-USVI Friendship Day on October 24 under the theme “The Greater Virgin Islands: the Identity and ingenuity of Our People”

During a press conference on Thursday October 8th Premier Dr. Orlando Smith said, “as you know the people of the BVI and the USVI share a very special relationship, our Territories may be distinct sovereignties divided by bodies of water, but our social, cultural and economic ties are far greater and stronger than any barriers that separate us”.
Premier Smith said every year they meet and join in candid discourse in our Inter Virgin Islands Council Meeting where we seek to improve cooperation for the betterment of all our people.

The last meeting was held here in May 2014. So far, we have been able to agree on a number of key areas. According to the BVI Premier for example, there is a Memorandum of Understanding between the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College and the University of the Virgin Islands to allow for a smoother transfer of credits in a number of program areas.

He said in law enforcement, they continue to collaborate in the areas of crime and security, immigration and customs particularly with matters related to fingerprinting, ballistic, intelligence sharing and monitoring of firearms trafficking and the also continue to have discourse with each other to resolve issues being faced by local bands in getting clearance to perform in the USVI.

Premier Smith noted that they continue to work together, building a close working relationship between our electricity corporations in the area of energy efficiency and they continue to have candid discourse in the areas of pleasure boating and fishing where our natural resources teams are in discussions regarding the establishment of a fisheries advisory council”.

According to him the BVI Friendship Day celebration brings out the lighter side of their relationship, and this year’s celebration will take place in the Queen Elizabeth II Park on Saturday, October 24 where we will be celebrating the identity and ingenuity of Virgin Islanders.

The festive celebration will highlight the creativity and resourcefulness of our people, both historically and from a modern day perspective”.

More information on the celebration will be shared with the public as the promotion gets on the way.