ROADTOWN Tortola BVI,  April 25th, 2012  –  Premier and Minister for Finance Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE said enhancing tourism and international relations are of critical importance to the Government of the Virgin Islands.

As such, Honourable Smith is currently in Puerto Rico representing the Territory at the 16th Annual Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Investment Conference (CHTIC) until April 26, while Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr. Kedrick Pickering is representing the Premier in Curacao at the Inaugural Meeting of the Caribbean Overseas Territories Council for the European Union’s (EU) British and Dutch Overseas Territories (OTs).

The Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Investment Conference is hosted by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association and the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) and is staged by the region’s not-for-profit organisations, with all funds being reinvested in the region for the benefit of the Caribbean tourism industry.

The event, attended by nearly 400 delegates representing the Caribbean, United States of America and the United Kingdom, provides networking opportunities with key players of the Caribbean’s hotel and tourism industry.

The Premier is among other Caribbean ministers of tourism and industry representatives who will share their vision of investment opportunities in the region and policies required to encourage expansion.

In Curacao, Deputy Premier Pickering is joining other government heads in signing a Memorandum of Understanding, which establishes the council comprising the EU’s British and Dutch OTs.

Honourable Pickering is accompanied by the Director of the International Affairs Secretariat Ms. Elise Donovan and Assistant Secretary in the Premier’s Office (Projects) Mrs. Elvia Smith-Maduro.

The Premier is expected back in the Territory on Thursday, while the Deputy Premier is expected to return this weekend.

In the absence of both the Premier and Deputy Premier, the Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton will act as Premier and Minister of Finance in accordance with Section 88 (2) of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order 2007.

The section states: “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; and the Governor shall revoke this authority on the return to the Virgin Islands of either the Premier or the Deputy Premier.”

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