Gov. John deJongh, Jr. left the U.S. Virgin Islands Saturday for a week of economic development and business research meetings in Denmark, a news release from Government House reported.
DeJongh will meet with government agencies and area businesses throughout the week. His schedule includes a business development event hosted by the governor.
Among the industries deJongh will meet with are the Danish Wind Energy Association, the Danish Ministry of Climate and Energy, and several renewable and alternative energy companies. He will review firsthand the continuing advancements of Denmark as a world leader in renewable energy production and integration.
The governor also will review modern innovations in Denmark’s recycling and waste-to-energy programs and visit one of the country’s wastewater treatments plants.
“Denmark is noted for its significant progress in renewable and alternative energy development and I look forward to the opportunity to see many of these advancements as we continue in our efforts to address our own energy costs back at home,” deJongh said.
According to the Government House statement, the business and economic development meetings will include the principals of Bravo, the charter airline carrier that provides a consistent flow of Danish visitors to the territory, and will culminate with deJongh hosting a business forum and reception at the United States Embassy for businesses that have expressed an interest in exploring opportunities of being located in the Virgin Islands.
DeJongh’s trip, his first official visit to Denmark, is the first time in more than 13 years that a U.S. Virgin Islands governor has visited the country. The governor will also use the visit to meet with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, visit the National Museum of Denmark and the National Archives and discuss the increasing of access and sharing of official Danish records ahead of the 2017 Virgin Islands centennial celebration marking 100 years as a territory.
“The historical significance of our upcoming centennial celebration in the territory will be further advanced by the sharing of the official Danish government documents that are also a part of our rich history,” he said. “I have already had some discussions with our senators on the Centennial Commission here at home and I look forward to our working together to celebrate in the year 2017.”
DeJongh will provide updates to the territory throughout the week via both his Facebook and Twitter accounts and on his official website. Links to those sites appear below.
The governor is scheduled to return to the territory March 17. In his absence Lt. Gov. Gregory Francis will serve as acting governor.
