The Islands comprise the major islands of Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada, and Jost Van Dyke, and over 50 smaller islands and cays of which 16 of them are inhabited. The capital city, Road Town, is located on Tortola, the largest on the island. The territory has a population of over 30,000 people with the largest percentage of people residing on Tortola. Citizens of the island are British Overseas Territories citizens as well as British citizens. It is a unitary territory divided into nine districts, of which eight of them are partly or completely on Tortola and cover close neighboring islands. The country has one of the most prosperous economies in the Caribbean region, with a per capita average income of over $42,300. Despite the popular perception, income inequality is lower on the Islands than in other OECS states. However, in global terms, income equality is higher in the Caribbean than in other regions.
If you are interested in learning about the foreign relations of the Islands, this article offers information on the foreign diplomatic relations of the British Virgin Islands and other bilateral relations.
About the country
The Islands are split into five districts, one for each of the four largest islands, and six civil registry districts, three for Tortola, one for Jost Van Dyke, Virgin Gorda, and Anegada. The two major contributors to the economy are financial services accounting for 60 percent of the GDP and tourism, accounting for 40 percent of the GDP. Of the two, the tourism sector is of more importance, as it employs the largest percentage of people residing in the territory and a large number of businesses in the industry are owned by locals. The government’s revenue is highly dependent on license fees for offshore companies, and considerable sums are raised directly or indirectly from payroll taxes related to salaries paid within the trust industry sector.
Bilateral relations
Foreign relations of this Island are largely managed on its behalf by the Government of the United Kingdom via the Foreign and Commonwealth Office given its status as a British Overseas Territory. However, its Constitution provides that the power is assigned to the Premier and ministers of government related to certain areas such as the Caribbean Community, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, the Association of Caribbean States, the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America, and the Caribbean, other Caribbean regional organization or institution, the Caribbean regional affairs related to issues of interest to the Islands, relations between the territory and the United States Virgin Islands as regard mutual interest, tourism and related matters, Taxation policy and regulation of finance, and EU affairs that may affect the interests of the territory. The government of the United Kingdom has to consult fully with the government of the Islands as regards affairs reserved to the United Kingdom Government, such as defense, internal security, and civil aviation.
International organizations
Due to its status as an overseas territory of the UK, this territory has no representation in the United Nations or numerous other international organizations. It also does not benefit from direct consular arrangements with any other nation. However, it is allowed to belong to some international organizations. The Islands partakes in many international organizations through the involvement of the United Kingdom. However, the territory is also a part of several international organizations including:
- CARICOM
- Caribbean Development Bank
- Interpol
- International Olympic Committee
- The organization of Eastern Caribbean States
- UNESCO
- Universal Postal Union
Note that since the territory is dependent on the UK, it is not a freestanding member of the Commonwealth of Nations yet operates as if it is by competing in the Commonwealth Games and participating in the organization.
