USVI pursues closer ties with CARICOM

The U.S. Virgin Islands is tightening ties with the Caribbean region.

First, with its return to the 25-member Caribbean Tourism Organization and now, the Government of the USVI is pursuing a relationship with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

Teri Helenese, the Director of State-Federal Relations and Washington Representative for the Government of the U.S. Virgin Islands, is leading efforts to solidify a functional cooperation relationship with the Georgetown, Guyana-based Caribbean grouping on behalf of Governor Albert Bryan Jr.

She explained that the areas of key interest to the U.S. Territory include working with CARICOM on:



• The development of a “blue economy”
• Investment in key economic sectors such as agriculture, tourism and technology
• Intraregional trade facilitation
• Climate change
• Regional employment opportunities
• Disaster recovery
• Initiatives to address crime, poverty, and emerging public health challenges