Premier in London for annual OTCC  and other meetings

~~Adz:Right~~ Roadtown, Tortola - Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE is in London, United Kingdom (UK) for a series of meetings including the 10th annual meeting of the Overseas Territories Consultative Council (OTCC).

The two-day meeting scheduled for October 28–29, will discuss among other things the relationship between the United Kingdom and its overseas territories and various economic and development issues.

Premier O’Neal will chair the session on Power of Governors with respect to deportation orders which will form part of the discussion on immigration and passports. This session will also include discussions on recent changes to the UK passport issuing process and how it affects residents of overseas territories like the Virgin Islands (UK).

Discussions on day one of the meeting will also include a session on good governance which will be chaired by the newly appointed Minister for the Overseas Territories Ms. Gillian Merron and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department for International Development Mr. Michael Foster.

The Premier and his fellow OTCC delegates will also discuss human rights and their international obligations in this regard. The delegates will receive updates on the International Labour Organisation’s Convention C182 which deals with the elimination of the worst forms of child labour and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

Additionally, the BVI and Bermuda are expected to agree to the convention to abolish corporal punishment in schools.

On day two of the OTCC meeting, attention will turn to financial services and anti-money laundering, where the focus will be on financial services strategy and anti-corruption initiatives. Delegates will also discuss the environment and disaster management before ending their meeting.

Prior to the OTCC meeting next week, the Premier is expected to meet with officials of the BVI Tourist Board and investors interested in investing in the BVI. The Premier will also meet with officials of the Halcrow Group Limited for an update on the Virgin Gorda Airport development project.

BVI students studying in the UK will also have an opportunity to update the Premier on their various programmes of study and grievances when he hosts a luncheon meeting in their honour.

In the absence of the Premier from October 22 to November 1, Deputy Premier Honourable Dancia Penn, QC, OBE will perform the duties of Premier in accordance with section 55 of the Virgin Islands Constitution which states that in the absence of the Premier for a period exceeding 48 hours, “the Governor shall authorise the Deputy Premier to perform the functions of the office of Premier.”

The Premier’s delegation includes Territorial Representative Honourable Keith Flax, Permanent Secretary in the Premier’s Office Mrs. Rosalie Adams, Assistant Secretary Ms. Najan Christopher, Director of the BVI London Office Ms. Dawn Smith and Budget Coordinator Mr. Jeremiah Frett.

The Premier travels to London annually for meetings with stakeholders and to attend the annual meeting of the OTCC which provides a forum to facilitate discussion of key policy issues between the British ministers and Heads of Government in British overseas territories.