CIG heading to Hong Kong innovation festival
Hong Kong
(CNS): Premier Alden McLaughlin has outlined the details of the trip to Hong Kong that he and several other ministers and Cayman Islands representatives from the private sector will be taking this weekend to attend the Festival of Innovation as part of the UK delegation. In a statement to the Legislative Assembly Friday about Cayman’s participation, he spoke about the goal to do more business with China. His comments come just a few days after Tourism Minister Moses Kirkconnell admitted that China Harbour Engineering Company was one of nine firms that had made it to the pre-qualification list to bid on the George Town cruise project.
McLaughlin said Cayman’s invitation from the UK is the first time a British Overseas Territory has been asked to take part in such an event, which would not only allow the country to strengthen its relationship with Britain but also strengthen the business ties and growing links of the financial services with the Asian region.
“The Asian market has become increasingly more important to our financial services business, and with the advent of financial technology, or fintech, there is a vast opportunity that we will be able to grow that business from this region,” he said.
The premier pointed to recent meetings he has had with representatives from China over last year and the “deepening relationship” between Cayman and China, including his meeting with the Chinese Ambassador to the UK last year, Liu Xiaoming, to discuss deepening the relationship between China and the BOTs.
“At the time he told us that, with the separation of the United Kingdom from the European Union on the horizon, it was a good time for China to work with the UK – and by extension the Cayman Islands – to expand our mutual business interests. He also said that he would encourage China’s business leaders to look to the Cayman Islands for opportunities to expand business cooperation,” the premier said in his statement to the House.
McLaughlin also spoke about “keeping fingers on the pulse of the Asian market” at a time when Cayman was continuing to battle with the European Union over Cayman’s business model.
He added that he was happy to be participating in the festival as part of the UK team to support the financial services sector, health services (as Dr Devi Shetty will also be attending to represent Health City Cayman Islands) and luxury tourism. He said it was an opportunity to promote Cayman in Asia and to join with the UK in hosting or participating in special events over the four-day innovation festival.
In a press release from his office following the statement, officials said McLaughlin will have a bilateral meeting with UK Secretary of State for International Trade, Liam Fox, to discuss matters of interest between the Cayman Islands and the United Kingdom.
Although the full line-up of the delegation was not outlined, it appears that the premier will be accompanied by Health Minister Dwayne Seymour, Financial Services Minister Tara Rivers, Commerce Minister Joey Hew, who the premier said would also be wearing a tourism hat, as well as representatives from Cayman Finance and the Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce.
Category: Business, Financial Services, Medical Business, Tourism
Anyone ever stopped to think this could be part of the deal Mac struck with Alden?
Thanks again CNS for posting the link on how to do a FOI request . Did everyone see the link attached to my comment towards the bottom of these comments ?
Alden McLaughlin is a political puppet for Kurt Tibbetts McKeeva Bush and Moses Kirkonnell. They allow him to keep the title of Premier but no major decisions can be made without the unanimous approval of those who allowed Alden to become a two term Premier. Ministers Tara Rivers and Joey Hew are desperate to become the next Premier in a coalition government but the work has already started to lobby for amendments to the constitution to allow the Premier’s term in office to be four terms. McKeeva Bush will play a key role in driving the constitutional amendments. The merger of the PPM and UDP in 2017 secures the number of seats to allow Alden McLaughlin to stay on as Leader and Premier once the new political alliance of PPM and UDP is formalized dashing the hopes of those whom seek to be the next generation of leaders while Alden Kurt McKeeva and Moses continue to laugh all the way to the bank.
Are you implying that this is a Lodge thing? Is it because his subordinates in government are his superiors in the secret society that we know he adheres to?
What reasoning do you have for your post?
Please enlighten us.
cig going to innovation festival?????…..more wonderland stuff…..zzzzzzzzzz
Didn’t take long for Mac to rub off on Alden.
They are two sides of the same egotistical and tyrannical coin kindred spirits bonded in s quest for power at all costs.
The three stooges are left behind to run the country: Moses Kirkconnell, Julianna O’Connor Conolly and Roy McTaggart. Hopefully we will have no spike in crime as neither of these are equipped to deal with it. Oh I forgot also the useless acting Governor Manderson in the absence of our new Governor. Cant get much worse
Just another paid vacation.
Cayman is packed with conservative fundamentalists, so a word like innovation is not something they would understand.
Innovation is something that smart people understand, be they liberal or conservative. I find your post somewhat loud.
As for your fundamentalist implication; people who are closer to the rules tend to be more effective.
Have you never heard of the fundamental principles of science?
What about the fundamentals of life such as, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Perhaps the “fundamental” thing you have a problem with is, “Kill the infidels”?
Then you would be right. I suggest that you paint with a less broad brush, for then you can discern the details.
Be blessed, be enriched, may you flourish with goodness. May your God-given talents enrich those who have the pleasure of knowing you.
If Mac is going, someone. take his CIG card away….lots of casinos in Macau and dens on iniquity in Wan Chai….
@11.43pm
You don’t need en-masse influx of Chinese.. They wouldn’t need work permits. They would own your country.
Pacific nations drowning in Chinese debt. https://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/pacific-nations-drowning-in-chinese-debt/news-story/082de1ecc957c9c4380bb9cb8555fa95
Sri Lanka: A country trapped in debt http://www.bbc.com/news/business-40044113
Wait till CHEC get to do the port. There won’t be one Caymanian on the job. Take heed it already happened in Trinidad.
Who really cares as long as the job gets done because we urgently need the new facilities. If Dart gets it they will bring in there overseas experts anyway. I applaud our Premier and the Unity team for getting together with the Chinese as they are soon to be the world leaders anyway.
Wow that’s the sell out comment of the week
That is a truthful comment as there ever was. Everything in Cayman is for sale to the highest bidder. Bring them all in as the more the merrier
Anonymous 7:37pm , you could’ve been a lot more precise and blunt , like stupid , inaccurate and misleading etc .
We are so lost at this point anyway, – I say bring them in and let the rest of us have our value for money watching The Dartonians vs The Pier Imperialists, – WWF development stylie…
I kinda like that the WWF idea.
Some balance might be healthy.
I understand your bereft attitude; Read what you wrote. Sounds a lot like giving up. I will never give up on my country. We need to speak out, loud and often. Let our MLAs know what we think and what we want.
I don’t feel represented at ALL. I want my MLAs to respond to their constituents. I may be living in a dream world, but I think we can elect people who are responsive. What we need is a people’s base to collate ideas, votes and preferences.
Superb comment 4:50, – my bereft comment extends more than giving up though and more of humored view.
I think we’ve reached a point in Cayman (without being individually critical) where our elected representatives and unified parties are simply ill-equipped to negoitiate such deals with such huge conglomerative syndicates. I said if before and will say it again, – Govt should be seeking counsel on these massive development projects and potential implications. We can write to our representatives but the truth is although however we’ll intended, they are so out of their league with those they’re negotiating with our individual objections become shadowed and nothing more than a mute point. Does that mean give up, absolutely not, – it means seek another way and at the same dismantle where objections, (brought by media, individual, etc.) have previuously led to vindicative repercussions hindering a process to make a difference.
How many reg’d voters are required to petition an injunction against the misguided Port ambitions, and talks with corrupt regimes? How do we stop this before the public are irreversibly on the hook for next three generations? It’s like watching a train wreck in slow motion.
when chasing fools gold ! ya get a shiny rock , period !
Your feeble minded politicians would greet Chinese with open arms and then, once too late, talk in sombre tones about “lessons learnt”.
This is very good and positive news for our country. Just shows how our wonderful premier and the unity team are getting lots done. Minster Hew is very good choice as his past experience will serve our country well. It will be great to have the Chinese here helping as well because they are doing so much to help Jamaica. Good luck and safe travels!
10.10am . Your sarcasm is not lost on me.
There won’t be anymore Caymanians when they get back , you are going to be called CHINAMANIANS after they return home . Better get on the runway and stop CAL from taking of to China.
Do you know how far away China is? I don’t think you know much at all.
LoL Even moon is not too far these days.
It’s too late, Mister Premier. You’re already in far over your head!
Caymanians are unhappy with expats now, wait until chinese join the group. They’ll expand their presence fast and find millions legal ways to stay. Start thinking about name change, from The Cayman islands to ….The China islands?
This is not fear mongering.
I would be dreading time when pier is built and Chinese came, bringing more development with them. They would start buying SMB properties, demolish it and erect highrise condos.
Caymanians already outnumbered by hordes of cruise ships visitors. They are already forced to endure environmental destruction, deterioration of life quality, poisoning by the ever growing Dump and unprecedented crime.
Measure seven times, cut once. If you let them, they would come. And stay.
9.46am is a winner. The Chinamanian Islands would be the new name for your country.
No problem with that. Kind of sick of hearing Dartman Islands.
Honestly? Any facts to support your claim? Citizens from China have had the ability to openly immigrate to countries like the U.S.A, Canada, Australia and Britain for a long, long time ( just to name a few ), and establish themselves and integrate into the societies there successfully. Even if they chose today to make the move to another country ,(which Cayman isn’t), rest easy and sleep well knowing Cayman would be way down on the list of choices that are available. While the financial industry here would only benefit from the addition of some key personnel into that workforce , it would be very difficult to envision an en-masse influx of new work permit seekers from China.
See my 5.09pm response above
Jamaica Bahamas Trinidad Antigua to name just a few neighboring countries
Caymanians are the new minority IN CAYMAN! Lol – this is what happens when you continue to elect the same faces! Imagine Dwayne “jon jon” seymour is actually an elected official again and Alden is premier again and the likes of moses kirkonell is tourism minister. Why bother to complain about anything they do? You elected them!
Anonymous 5:38am , I agree with you 110% that people just keep voting them back in . Because they fail to see the future , and what those Politicians are doing . Then they get new promises and a handout and that’s my re-election.
But they will see their future when the Government returns from China .
Knowing Caymanians I don’t see a bright and stable future ahead .
Please please please do not let these people back into this country. This is a big opportunity Cayman.
CNS can you get the names of all the persons travelling and the estimated cost of this travel to tax payers?
CNS: We’re considering doing an FOI, which is what it would take, but if any readers are already doing this or are willing to do this, please let us know.
Please get this info. it would very interesting to see who is going on this trip and what they would bring to the trip. How many persons does it take to attend a meeting?
Taxpayers paying for each government person also please remember that although Cayman Finance is a “Private Body” government pays an annual fee so technically we are also paying partially for Cayman Finance to attend. CNS can you also find out what is that amount CIG “contributes” to Cayman Finance each year?
PPM, why the secret about who is going to Hong Kong?
CNS , and any other Caymanian . I think that it’s a good idea to do a FOI on that trip should be done for many reasons .
(1) to know who is involved .
(2) for the consequences for doing such a thing against the will of the people .
(3) to legally know who to vote for come next election.
(4) to know which business to be boycotted on the Islands.
I believe that this trip to China is all about the cruise ship pier . Which I think that the majority of Caymanians are against building it , and if some that are for it , if they could see that it wouldn’t be no benefits for them , then that percentage would be 98.99% against the pier .
I remember when the CI Government didn’t do any major project until Government had the funds to do it. Why does the Government have to have so many deep pocket investors involved in everything that happens on the Islands today ?
CNS: Perhaps you could do the FOI. You can do so by email and anonymously. Remember that you are asking for documents, so ask for all documents related to expenses for the trip – receipts, etc. you could send an FOI to the premier’s office as well as all the ministries involved. Here’s more about the process.
Thanks , CNS for the link and the advice on how to do a FOI request . Maybe now the Office and the Premier will get enough from different people , that it will teach them to be more transparent on these kind of issues .
nothing but a junket. end of story.
8.10pm Do you mean they all get to ride on a junk? – I like your pun.
Interesting that Minister Joey Hew will be wearing the Tourism hat on this jaunt. Was the Chief Officer of the Ministry of Tourism or Chairman of the Port Authority Board or DOT Director not available? This essentially confirms that CHEC are the lead bidder out of the 9 bidders for financing and construction of the proposed cruise berthing project.
Read between the lines the fix is in and the charade of a transparent process is no more. Cayman should brace itself for lawsuits from the other bidders who will argue they have been put at an unfair competitive advantage in preparing their bids.
Will the Cabinet members go on other overseas jaunts to be wined and dined by the other bidders like Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruises lines or the Dutch and Turkish bidders? Remember this same government have been telling the public for at least two years the cruise lines would be paying for the piers as part of the PPP and guaranteeing 2.3 million passengers per annum?
I guess the CHEC is in the mail.
Junket on a junk.
CHEC will now run Cayman similar to how the run Jamaica. SMH
I see the Dartlings are out in full force already! LOL
Stating a fact makes one a dartling? You need prayer. SMH
Can always find at least one little piggy!
I believe we talking about apples and ackees. Its not the same.