ROADTOWN Tortola BVI, January 20th, 2012  – Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE and Deputy Premier and Minister of Natural Resources and Labour Dr. the Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering are leading delegations to regional and international forums in the Caribbean and Europe this week.

Premier Smith is currently representing the Territory at the 7th United Kingdom-Caribbean Forum in Grenada held under the theme, “Sustainable Growth Towards Prosperity”. The meeting which began today will conclude on January 22. Discussions are focused on economic resilience, security and the environment.

Premier Smith will then travel to St. Lucia for the 54th Meeting of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Authority from January 23 – 24. Agenda items include the OECS Growth and Development Strategy, Draft Common Tourism Policy and the OECS Economic Union Treaty Implementation. The Premier is being accompanied by Assistant Secretary for External Affairs in the Premier’s Office, Ms. Najan Christopher. He is expected back in the Territory on Tuesday, January 24.

Honourable Pickering will travel to Brussels tomorrow to attend the Ministerial Conference of the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT) of the European Union scheduled for January 23. Accompanying the minister is Business Development Liaison, Mr. Kevin Smith; Assistant Secretary for Projects in the Premier’s Office, Mrs. Elvia Smith-Maduro, and Environmental Officer from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour, Ms. Tessa Smith. The Deputy Premier returns to the Territory on Thursday, January 26.

In accordance with Section 55 (1) of the Virgin Islands Constitution 2007: “If the Premier is expected to be absent from the Virgin Islands for more than forty-eight hours, the Governor shall authorise the Deputy Premier to perform the functions of the office of Premier.” Honourable Pickering is currently the acting Premier.

The Constitution further states in Section 55 (2): “If both the Premier and the Deputy Premier are expected to be absent from the Virgin Islands for more than forty-eight hours, the Governor shall authorise another Minister designated by the Premier to perform the functions of the office of the Premier.”

Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton will act as Premier until Honourable Smith’s return to the Territory.

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