She said the challenges the VI is facing are often manifested at the local supermarkets.

“You know, you go to a supermarket these days, you can’t get more than two groceries bags for close to $200. These things are impacting the Virgin Islands,” Mrs Smith said, in reference to global events affecting the Virgin Islands, including the war in Ukraine.

Mrs Smith was at the time a guest on The Big Story on JTV on February 22, 2023, when she announced to host Cathy O. Richards that she will be contesting the 2023 General Election as an At Large Candidate but is yet to decide whether with an established political party or as an Independent.

‘I have proven that I can do what needs to be done’- Lorna G. Smith

Meanwhile, Mrs Smith, the wife of former Premier Dr D. Orlando Smith, OBE, said a lot needs to be done in the VI for it to continue to be a global competitor in financial services and that she can especially offer her experience and expertise in that area, although she pointed out that her knowledge is not limited to financial services.

She also said she is passionate about education and young people.

“I am not just passionate. I have proven that I can do what needs to be done in those areas, education.”

Mrs Smith said she was tasked by the late Chief Minister H. Lavity Stoutt to coordinate the development of the now H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) and that she did so successfully.

‘I myself lost my home’ in Irma

She said infrastructure is another area that needs to be looked at, as well as Climate Change, and noted that the experience of Hurricane Irma has led her to advocate strongly in the area of Climate Change.

“I was there when it [Irma] happened. I myself lost my home, so I knew what it felt like, But I didn’t sit and mourn. I made sure, that in terms of both the restoration of homes for British Virgin Islanders, as well as our Financial Services, stayed afloat.

She said while tourism was negatively impacted, because of her knowledge of financial services, she was able to work with other people to make sure Financial Services remained intact and also had a hand in the courts to operate virtually following Irma.

Among other accomplishments, Mrs Smith said she started the Hong Kong Office.

‘I have stood up’ for the VI internationally

“I also started the London Office and, of course, that has been a significant success to the British Virgin Islands.

“I have represented the British Virgin Islands and I have stood up for the British Virgin Islands internationally."

Mrs Smith continued that she is the first person to be selected to head the BVI International Finance Centre, which is now renamed BVI Finance.

“And so I am steeped, if you want to call it that, in financial services, but I am not only about financial services, let me say.”

The former First Lady reminded that she served as a Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and also in the Chief Minister’s Office (now Premier’s Office) and also worked in Tourism, including as a Member of the BVI Tourist Board of Directors for over five years.