BVI Global Business Continuity Working Well

Premier Dr. the Hon. D. Orlando Smith, OBE in a recent statement lauded the British Virgin Islands (BVI) financial services industry for the success of its business recovery plans, enabling swift restoration of services following the passage of Hurricane Irma.  The Premier pointed to the dedication of its members which ensured a relatively limited impact on business activity.

“Our services play a key role in business development globally and our system and industry partners have always planned for business continuity,” noted the Premier.

The British Virgin Islands Government has also confirmed that the institutions essential to the successful undertaking of business in the BVI; the BVI Financial Services Commission (BVIFSC) and the Commercial Division of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court are also operating well. Specifically, VIRRGIN, the online corporate registry, is fully operational and accessible anywhere in the world.  In addition to being able to incorporate companies and obtain certificates, practitioners are also able to make deposits on accounts, full BVI BCA filings, and company searches.   All company registry data continues to remain entirely secure.

From the perspective of the Court, the Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court has announced that, as a temporary measure, the Commercial Division of the High Court will resume operations today in Castries, St. Lucia.  Only electronic filings will be accepted and electronic court searches are also expected to be accessible starting today as well.  

The BVI High Court Registry is also expected to be accessible later this week for searches and issuance of legal opinions.

In further announcements, the Government has confirmed that Apostilles are now available through the normal Deputy Governor’s office process in the BVI; the BVI Gazette Office will open today in the BVI and will be placing advertisements and the BVI's beneficial ownership information portal BOSSs is fully operational. Courier services will also reopen in the BVI this week, with FedEx offering services as of today. 

BVI Finance, the BVI’s financial services marketing and promotional office, in a statement has directed that firms who are sending supplies from overseas to their offices in the BVI should send the manifest to BVI Finance and the anticipated date of arrival. A financial services desk will be set up to assist in ensuring that the shipment is delivered to the intended business recipient.

Director of BVI House Asia, Elise Donovan said, “The financial services industry has provided significant support in ensuring that the business and financial services which the BVI is globally renowned for can get back up and running.  Given the plans now in place the Asian business community can continue to have confidence in readily available BVI expertise and services in the region”, adding that “they can trust and rely on the Asia-based BVI practitioners for excellence and best in class service.”

She added: “I am tremendously grateful to the Asian practitioners who have been so supportive of the BVI and committed to the continued success of BVI business in the region.”