AGP Executive Report

BVI Utilities Overhaul: The BVI Electricity Corporation and Water & Sewerage Department merger cleared the House and was assented by the Governor, setting up a unified VIEWCo and a single public notification platform for service advisories and interruptions. Public Safety & Accountability: On St. Croix, the Bryan administration’s “Cabinet Connect” photo-op at a community complex drew criticism as residents continue to face a public safety crisis and scrutiny of VIPD guidance. Food Safety Alerts: Federal recalls tied to Salmonella risk and other serious food issues are reaching VI shelves via mainland supply chains, prompting urgent checks by shoppers. Tourism & Talent: The VI won CTO’s Nex-Gen Tourism Showcase with a “Green & Blue Economy Tourism Hub” pitch, while BVI named a Junior Ambassador of Tourism focused on social-media-driven “TAG” strategy. Business & Finance: Orca Energy filed Q1 2026 interim reports, and Consolidated Water approved a quarterly dividend for shareholders. Waste Enforcement: WMA is stepping up enforcement at bin sites, warning illegal dumping can bring up to $1,000 in fines.

Public Safety & Governance: The Bryan administration held a St. Croix “Cabinet Connect” photo-op at the Rudolph Shulterbrandt Agricultural Complex, serving residents and highlighting health and grooming support, but critics are zeroing in on the VIPD’s role amid ongoing scrutiny of its street-level performance. Food Safety & Imports: Federal recalls are hitting territory shelves and supply chains, including Salmonella-linked frozen bread and other grocery issues tied to contamination or undeclared allergens—residents are urged to check labels and batches. Utilities & Infrastructure: In the BVI, Governor Daniel Pruce assented to the BVIEC and W&SD merger law, setting up VIEWCo and moving customer notices to a unified public platform. Tourism & Business Innovation: The VI won the CTO Regional Nex-Gen Tourism Showcase in New York with a “Green & Blue Economy Tourism Hub” concept aimed at tying marine restoration to tourism revenue. Waste Enforcement: The VI Waste Management Authority is stepping up enforcement at bin sites, warning illegal dumping can bring fines up to $1,000. Aviation & Travel Demand: United announced new nonstop routes including Newark–St. Croix and Houston–Chiapas, adding more fall/winter connectivity for travelers and businesses.

BVI Utilities Merger: Governor Daniel Pruce has assented to the BVIEC and W&SD merger law, clearing the way for a new Virgin Islands Energy and Water Corporation (VIEWCo) and a single public notification platform for service interruptions and advisories. Local Governance & Public Safety: A VIPD public directive on carjacking tactics on St. Croix is being criticized as dangerous and impractical, with calls for safer, physics-based guidance for drivers. Citizenship & Culture: Fifty-eight people were naturalised as British Overseas Territories citizens at Government House, while a poetry and critical essay competition was launched for the Long Look 250th Freedom commemoration. Tourism & Business Development: The VI won champions status at the CTO Regional Nex-Gen Tourism Showcase for a “Green & Blue Economy Tourism Hub” concept, and the BVI named a Junior Ambassador of Tourism focused on social-media-driven “TAG” strategy. Waste Enforcement: The VI Waste Management Authority is stepping up enforcement at bin sites, warning illegal dumping can bring up to $1,000 in fines. Finance & Markets: Orca Energy Group filed its Q1 2026 interim reports, citing revenue growth and higher gas volumes.

BVI Energy & Water Merger: Governor Daniel Pruce has assented to the law merging the BVI Electricity Corporation and the Water & Sewerage Department, paving the way for a new unified utility body, VIEWCo, aimed at better efficiency and coordinated infrastructure planning. Tourism Talent: Mary Joseph won the VI Junior Ambassador of Tourism title, pitching a “TAG” strategy to use social media for smarter, year-round destination promotion. Public Service Training: The BVI launched the Excellence in Customer Service CXC® programme to upgrade service delivery across the public sector through structured training with CXC and Customer 1st Caribbean. Waste Enforcement: The VI Waste Management Authority is stepping up enforcement at public bin sites, warning illegal dumping and misuse can bring fines up to $1,000 and other penalties. Business Update (Orca Energy): Orca Energy Group filed its Q1 2026 interim reports, citing revenue growth and higher gas volumes tied to power-customer consumption in Tanzania. Local Finance (Consolidated Water): Consolidated Water approved a $0.14 per-share quarterly dividend for Q3 2026, payable July 31. Workforce Pathways: UVI Medical Simulation Center was added to the U.S. Virgin Islands Eligible Training Provider List, unlocking WIOA funding for EMT training and national certification access. Tourism Innovation Win: The VI team won the CTO Nex-Gen Tourism Showcase with a “Green & Blue Economy Tourism Hub” concept linking marine restoration funding to tourism revenue. Air Travel (United): United announced new fall/winter routes including Newark–St. Croix service and year-round Houston–Chiapas flights. Hurricane Outlook: NOAA forecasts a below-normal 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, with a 55% chance of fewer storms and 3–6 expected hurricanes.

Utility merger cleared: Governor Daniel Pruce assented to the BVIEC and Water & Sewerage merger law, paving the way for VIEWCo to combine electricity, water and sewerage under one entity aimed at better efficiency and coordinated infrastructure planning. Workforce & immigration pressure: Mark Vanterpool warned that a proposed “rollover” immigration approach could disrupt businesses that invest in training workers for years, especially in hospitality where stability matters. Public services training: The BVI launched the Excellence in Customer Service CXC® programme to upgrade public-sector service delivery, using a structured, multi-level training model. Tourism talent spotlight: Mary Joseph won VI’s Junior Ambassador of Tourism title with a social-media-led “TAG” strategy focused on targeting, authenticating and guiding sustainable visitor experiences. Waste enforcement: The Waste Management Authority is stepping up enforcement at bin sites, with fines up to $1,000 for illegal dumping or misuse and reminders to dispose properly and avoid hazardous materials. Regional business wins: VI beat St Lucia and Turks & Caicos to win the 2026 CTO Nex-Gen Tourism Showcase for a “Green & Blue Economy Tourism Hub” concept linking marine restoration with tourism revenue. Corporate finance: Consolidated Water approved a $0.14 per-share quarterly cash dividend for Q3 2026. Tech/finance update: Alpha Compute reported $79.2M assets and a projected $23M annual revenue run-rate, citing operational GPU infrastructure and its GAMEE acquisition. Sports & commerce culture: VG Bayside Blazers rebounded in King of the Courts after an opening loss, signaling strong momentum for local events that draw visitors and spending.

Public Service Training: The Virgin Islands Workforce Development Board and CXC launched the Excellence in Customer Service CXC® programme on June 3, aiming to upgrade service delivery across the public sector with training support from Customer 1st Caribbean. Workforce Funding Access: The UVI Medical Simulation Center was added to the U.S. Virgin Islands Eligible Training Provider List, enabling EMT trainees to use WIOA funding; cohort 2 completed its EMT programme with 10 graduates on track for NREMT certification. Local Business & Governance: A BVI Chamber of Commerce “Meet the Members” series is set for June 4 in Tortola, focused on networking and connecting businesses to chamber initiatives. Energy & Preparedness: Hurricane season guidance continues as NOAA forecasts a below-normal 2026 season, while local voices urge residents to plan for disruptions. Cross-Border Compliance Watch: A major U.S. sanctions case targets a California tech CEO accused of routing U.S. networking and encryption equipment to Iran via intermediaries, with alleged financial links involving offshore structures. Finance Sector Signals: OT Group Ltd issued a monthly market update highlighting resilient but selective private equity conditions.

Sanctions & finance: A dual U.S.-Iranian tech CEO, Jamshid Ghomi, was arrested in California and charged with allegedly smuggling U.S. networking, security and encryption gear to Iran’s military and nuclear programs, with prosecutors saying the scheme routed purchases through intermediaries and shell companies tied to offshore jurisdictions including the British Virgin Islands. Local governance & business access: BVI political commentator Cindy Rosan says Labour Department officials are being pressured to fast-track work permits for politically connected players in the yachting sector, arguing it blocks qualified locals and fuels cronyism complaints. Digital policy: VI Junior Minister Lorna G. Smith says the territory needs an AI management policy as part of its digital transformation push, alongside ongoing business revitalisation efforts. Trade & industry support: The BVI Chamber of Commerce invites businesses to its “Meet the Members” series on June 4 to boost networking and visibility. Tourism momentum: Caribbean Week in New York 2026 is underway, bringing regional tourism leaders together with BVI and other territories at the InterContinental Times Square. Hurricane readiness: NOAA and local emergency messaging stress preparedness for the 2026 Atlantic season, even with a below-normal outlook. Sports: VG Bayside Blazers bounced back in the 2026 King of the Courts, crushing St Croix 100-79 on Night 2.

Corporate & Finance: AMRL Cayman named Stephen Leontsinis Partner to lead a new Corporate Disputes, Insolvency & Restructuring practice, expanding specialist contentious and restructuring support across Cayman and international markets. Governance & Policy: BVI Police Welfare Association says officers are facing “continued exploitation” over delayed compensation, pay inequities, acting appointments, and administrative failures—calling for immediate action. Digital & Business Development: VI Junior Minister Lorna G. Smith says the Territory needs an AI management policy as part of digital transformation, alongside ongoing business revitalisation and entrepreneur training. Trade & Community: BVICC’s “Meet the Members Series” returns June 4 to connect local businesses and highlight initiatives supporting growth. Aviation & Tourism: United Airlines will launch the first nonstop Newark–St. Croix route in decades, starting Oct. 31, 2026, boosting direct access for visitors and commerce. Food Security & Logistics: A VI social commentator warns food insecurity is worsening as the Territory relies on imports and local shipping faces delays, leaving shelves empty and merchants scrambling. Capital Markets: WISeKey and WISeSat filed an amended Form F-4 draft with the U.S. SEC tied to a proposed business combination, with a Nasdaq ticker expected to be “WSAT.”

AI Policy Push: VI’s Junior Minister for Financial Services and Economic Development, Hon Lorna G. Smith, says the Territory must implement an AI management policy as digital transformation accelerates, alongside business revitalisation efforts. Workforce Pay Pressure: The Police Welfare Association warns the “continued exploitation” of officers won’t be tolerated, citing delayed compensation, salary disparities, acting appointments, and administrative failures. Business Networking: BVICC is hosting its “Meet the Members Series” on June 4 to connect local firms with leadership and upcoming opportunities. Tourism Planning: The VI will host a two-day Tourism Summit June 10–11 on Peter Island, aiming to align stakeholders on sustainable tourism direction and investment. Food Supply Strain: Pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline says food insecurity is worsening as VI remains import-dependent and shipping disruptions are leaving shelves empty. Regional Economy Idea: Mark Vanterpool calls for decentralising government services—moving key ministries to sister islands to spread jobs and boost local economies. Finance Sector Outreach: BVI Finance has shifted its Latin America roadshow to July 13–16, targeting Lima, Bogotá and Panama City. Energy Disruption: WAPA CEO Karl Knight attributes St. Thomas/St. John outages to a Randolph Harley Power Plant failure, with government operations affected. Trade & Travel: United announced a new nonstop St. Croix–Newark/New York route, while Caribbean Week in New York continues to draw regional tourism leaders.

Tourism & Trade: St. Maarten’s SMART 2026 trade show is tracking toward a sellout, with 79% of booths already occupied for the June 22–26 event at the JW Marriott Resort Convention Center, including fully booked NGO space and a small-hotel plaza. BVI Finance: BVI Finance has pushed its Latin America roadshow to July 13–16, 2026, with stops in Lima, Bogota and Panama City to keep building ties with the region’s financial services community. Local Business Skills: The Virgin Islands’ Entrepreneurial Education Programme graduated 26 entrepreneurs, with Junior Minister Lorna Smith urging participants to apply business planning and financial skills and “embrace AI.” Power & Business Continuity: WAPA CEO Karl Knight said a failure at the Randolph Harley Power Plant triggered cascading outages across St. Thomas and St. John, disrupting government operations and businesses. Tourism Planning: The Virgin Islands will host a Tourism Summit June 10–11 at Peter Island Resort to align stakeholders on sustainable growth and investment direction. Aviation & Connectivity: United Airlines announced a new nonstop St. Croix (STX) to Newark/New York (EWR) route starting Oct. 31, 2026, aimed at boosting access for residents and visitors. Hurricane Readiness: The Coast Guard urged mariners and residents across the region, including the U.S. Virgin Islands, to prepare for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season.

BVI Financial Services: BVI Finance has pushed its 2026 Latin America roadshow to July 13–16, with stops in Lima, Bogotá and Panama City, aiming to deepen ties with the region’s financial community. Tourism & Aviation: The Virgin Islands will host a two-day Tourism Summit June 10–11 at Peter Island Resort, bringing together regional and international leaders to align on sustainable growth and investment. Power & Business Continuity: WAPA CEO Karl Knight said a Randolph Harley Power Plant failure triggered St. Thomas/St. John outages, disrupting government operations and forcing closures, with a hearing rescheduled to June 11. Local Talent in Trade: A radio host is urging the next BVI Director of Trade to be a qualified Virgin Islander, as leadership appointments remain a live issue. Entrepreneurship: 26 entrepreneurs graduated from the government’s Entrepreneurial Education Programme, with Junior Minister Lorna Smith urging graduates to use emerging tech, including AI, to grow MSMEs. Regional Connectivity: United Airlines announced a new nonstop Newark–St. Croix route starting Oct. 31, 2026, expanding air access for residents and visitors.

Cruise & Tourism: Norwegian Cruise Line says Great Tides Waterpark at Great Stirrup Cay opens Sept. 4, 2026, with advance day passes and private cabanas for up to six guests, plus new food trucks. Aviation & Connectivity: United Airlines will add the only nonstop New York–St. Croix service this fall (starting Oct. 31), a major boost for Caribbean travel demand and air access. Regional Business Finance: Carey Olsen advised Butterfield on its $1.8 billion acquisition of CIBC Caribbean, creating a combined ~$29 billion banking and wealth platform across multiple jurisdictions. BVI Financial Services: Junior Minister Lorna Smith told industry and students that BVI’s growth hinges on strong compliance, innovation, and investing in local talent, while continuing work on FATF actions and regulatory alignment. Local Economy & Skills: 26 entrepreneurs complete the Entrepreneurial Education Programme, with a push to “embrace AI” and strengthen MSMEs across sectors. Governance & Trade: Premier Wheatley defended scaling back the proposed Trade Commission’s powers, arguing constitutional responsibilities can’t be handed to outside bodies. Public Safety & Crime: Residents in Tortola question mobile surveillance camera units and whether facial recognition is involved, as police declined clarification. Weather Outlook: NOAA forecasts a below-normal 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, with 8–14 named storms and 3–6 hurricanes.

Entrepreneurship & Skills: 26 VI entrepreneurs and business owners completed the Department of Trade’s Entrepreneurial Education Programme with H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, covering business planning, marketing, finance and operations; Junior Minister Lorna Smith urged graduates to keep learning and “embrace AI.” Financial Services: Smith told compliance leaders that BVI’s growth depends on strong compliance plus innovation and investing in local talent, while also pointing to ongoing work to meet international standards. Security & Governance: Premier Natalio Wheatley pushed for transferring security responsibilities from the UK to the VI government, arguing for democratic accountability in how security is delivered. Trade Commission Fight: Wheatley defended scaling back the proposed Trade Commission’s powers, saying constitutional responsibilities can’t be handed to outside bodies. Infrastructure: West End Ferry Terminal redevelopment hit a setback after bids came in far above budget, forcing redesigns under a CDB-funded project. Tourism & Airlift: United will launch the only nonstop New York–St. Croix service this fall, adding more direct Caribbean access as regional visitor demand stays strong. Regional Spotlight: Caribbean Week in New York opens today under “One Caribbean: Infinite Experiences,” with CTO leaders and regional tourism ministers including VI representation. Local Business Incident: Police reported a machete was allegedly brandished during a customer brawl at RiteWay Food Market in Pasea, with no injuries reported. Aviation Oversight: ICAO’s regional civil aviation directors meet in Antigua to focus on safety, security, sustainability and cooperation. Tech & Deals: SOLAI announced it will buy a 51% stake in Singapore AI firm NEURALAND, signaling a shift toward an AI-first platform.

Trade Commission Fight: Premier Natalio Wheatley defended scaling back the proposed Trade Commission’s powers during debate on the Consumer Protection Amendment Bill 2026, arguing statutory bodies can’t replace government constitutional duties and saying Minister Lorna Smith did “due diligence” before keeping some authority with the Trade Department. Banking Deal: Carey Olsen advised Butterfield on its $1.8 billion acquisition of CIBC Caribbean, creating a combined banking and wealth platform with about $29 billion in assets across 19 jurisdictions. Tourism & Marketing: Caribbean Week in New York 2026 kicks off June 1 with strong regional ministerial turnout, including BVI Premier Wheatley and CTO leadership, while Henry Harteveldt headlines the June 3 Caribbean Marketing Conference on airline trends and airlift strategy. Power & Politics: Lieutenant Governor Tregenza Roach and Senator Novelle Francis launched their campaign in St. Thomas, but power outages during the event sparked immediate criticism tied to the territory’s electricity crisis. Public Safety Incident: Police said a machete was allegedly brandished during a customer brawl at RiteWay Food Market in Pasea Estate; no injuries were reported and investigations continue. Regional Weather Watch: CDEMA warned Caribbean territories face severe flash-flood risks in 2026 despite a below-average hurricane forecast, citing intense rainfall potential and localized hazards. Aviation Realignment (Commentary): A new interline agreement between LIAT 2020 and Air Caraïbes takes effect June 1 as Caribbean regional routes shift, signaling a structural rebuild around key hubs. Business & Finance Portal: Surety One launched BrokerDealerBond.com, an online portal to streamline broker-dealer bond procurement and management.

BVI Courts & Compliance: A federal judge denied new trials or acquittals for former USVI Police Commissioner Ray Martinez and former OMB director Jenifer O’Neil in the Mon Ethos corruption case, saying the trial evidence supported the convictions. Public Safety at Retail: RVIPF says a machete was allegedly brandished during a customer brawl at RiteWay Food Market in Pasea Estate; police recovered one weapon and investigations continue. Tourism & Community: Take Over Tent (TOT) is marking 45 years of calypso, culture and community with anniversary events, including a church service kickoff. Business & Finance: Carey Olsen advised Butterfield on its landmark US$1.8bn acquisition of CIBC Caribbean, while BIT expanded its regulatory footprint with BVI FSC approval for Matrixport Technologies Ltd. Regional Aviation: A new interline agreement between LIAT 2020 and Air Caraïbes takes effect June 1, signaling a broader regional airline realignment. Tourism Pipeline: Ten students will compete for the Virgin Islands Junior Ambassador of Tourism title on June 4, with the winner representing the VI at CTO youth events. Local Economy & Workforce: Mark Vanterpool pushed back on claims of expat preference, arguing employers hire locals when available and that the real issue is a shortage of local applicants. Energy & Environment: The USVI Senate advanced a green waste disposal measure allowing controlled incineration only when safer options like shredding, mulching and composting aren’t available. Trade Skills Funding: The VI Board of Career and Technical Education voted to create an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit to fund trade students and classroom supplies outside tight government budgets.

Tourism & Trade Diplomacy: Caribbean Week returns to New York June 1 at InterContinental Times Square, with BVI Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley and USVI Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. leading a regional tourism delegation for meetings on airlift, marketing, sustainability and next-gen leadership. Youth Pipeline: The BVI Tourist Board & Film Commission will host the Virgin Islands Junior Ambassador of Tourism competition June 4, with 10 students vying to represent the Territory at CTO’s State of the Tourism Industry Conference in Guyana. Banking Deal: Carey Olsen advised Butterfield on its landmark US$1.8bn agreement to acquire CIBC Caribbean’s 91.7% stake, creating a combined platform with about US$29bn in assets across 19 jurisdictions. Financial Regulation (BVI): BIT says the BVI Financial Services Commission approved Matrixport Technologies Ltd for a SIBA Category 2 licence and VASP registration, expanding regulated digital-asset services. Local Governance & Cost of Living: Premier Wheatley praised Opposition Leader Marlon Penn’s “reasonable” scrutiny of the Consumer Protection Amendment Bill while criticizing Mitch Turnbull’s opposition as emotional and lacking substance. Sister Islands Representation: Premier Wheatley said separate HoA representatives for Anegada and Jost van Dyke would be “quite irregular,” pointing to constitutional districting and the role of a Boundaries Commission. Disaster Readiness: CDEMA warned of severe flash-flood risks across Caribbean territories despite a predicted below-average hurricane season. Workforce Reality Check: Mark Vanterpool argued the real issue behind expat hiring is a shortage of locals willing to take available jobs, citing lower cost and simpler hiring for employers. Aviation Oversight: Former BVIAA managing director Kurt Menal clarified he resigned and gave notice before leaving, after reports of his departure. Public Safety: Police were called after a customer brawl at RiteWay Pasea; RTW says no injuries and that security and the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force helped de-escalate.