CHARLOTTE AMALIE, US Virgin Islands - The United States Virgin islands (USVI) says it has elevated its collaboration with the 15-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM) grouping and is working towards a technical cooperation agreement.
USVI Governor Albert Bryan JrIt said that this advanced partnership will soon be formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which aims to benefit the USVI and the regional integration grouping.
“This significant development from the previous functional cooperation framework is the result of a recent meeting between USVI Governor Albert Bryan Jr.; Teri Helenese, Director of State-Federal Relations and Washington Representative for the USVI; and Elizabeth Solomon, CARICOM’s Assistant Secretary-General for Foreign and Community Relations and her team,” according to an official statement issued here.
Governor Bryan, expressing optimism about the potential of enhanced relationships and regional cooperation to tackle common challenges, said the USVI is uniquely positioned to be an integral part of CARICOM.
“To that end, we look forward to the Memorandum of Understanding and working collaboratively and in solidarity within CARICOM,” he said, highlighting the USVI’s commitment to key development strategies under this enhanced partnership.
The statement said that prioritizing the energy crisis is a top priority, focusing on sustainable solutions, cost reduction, and building resilient infrastructure through collaboration.
“The partnership aims to foster a blue economy by sustainably utilizing ocean resources to drive economic growth while preserving ecosystems. Furthermore, bolstering agriculture through CARICOM’s expertise will enhance food security, promote sustainable farming practices, and create economic opportunities.
“Expanding the tourism sector, especially medical tourism, sports, and overnight stays, will further solidify regional connections and economic advantages. Investing in technology will drive innovation, upgrade digital infrastructure, and cultivate a knowledge-based economy,” the statement said, adding that the USVI plans to enhance intraregional trade through direct air and sea links, citizen upskilling, and the development of e-commerce opportunities.
According to the statement, the key objectives of the new collaboration include leveraging the Regional Migration Policy to facilitate regional employment exchange and ensure job security
Implementing a labor-management information system to optimize labor resource allocation and resilience as well as promoting educational initiatives at the University of the Virgin Islands.
Helenese said that while associate membership with the intergovernmental organization is the ultimate goal, achieving it is challenging due to the USVI’s status as a United States territory, which requires specific authorisations from the White House.
She nevertheless considers the cooperation model a critical stepping-stone to associate membership.
Acknowledging the USVI’s acute labour shortage within an expanding service industry, Helenese proposed utilizing cooperation to connect disaster recovery and the visa waiver programme
“This approach would facilitate the employment of Caribbean nationals across the Territory, thereby mitigating the current workforce crisis,,” the statement added.
