Cayman delegates in Hong Kong for talks over office
Eric Bush, Chief Officer at MITIAMA; Esther Blythe, British Deputy Consul General; Derek Lee, Deputy Director of Protocol, Hong Kong Government; and Matthew Forbes, Head of the Governor’s Office
(click to enlarge)
(CNS): Matthew Forbes, the head of the governor’s office, and Eric Bush, the chief officer in the new ministry for International Trade, Investment, Maritime and Aviation Affairs, led a delegation to Hong Kong last week to meet with officials in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government to agree plans for the opening of the Cayman Islands’ new trade office in the city. Bush and Forbes also held talks with British Consul General Andy Heyn and his team, who are supporting the new initiative.
The group met the heads of Invest Hong Kong, the British Chamber of Commerce and representatives of Cayman Islands companies in the city. They were also on the lookout for suitable premises for the new office, which, it is hoped, will open in early October. The aim is to support Cayman companies in Hong Kong as well as mainland China.
Officials said that recruitment for the new head of the office is currently underway.
Forbes, who was previously deputy consul general in Shanghai, said, “China is an important market place for Cayman companies and Hong Kong can act as a springboard for firms looking to do business there. It is important to establish relationships with the Hong Kong authorities and other partners who will be vital to the success of the office.”
Bush, the chief officer in the new ministry, which falls within the premier’s portfolio, said the team had a great welcome in Hong Kong, laying the foundations for a successful opening for this Asia office.
“We are grateful for the support of the Hong Kong SAR Government and the British Consulate General in this venture. Having a physical presence in this fast-paced and complex part of the world will help Cayman companies achieve their full potential and develop new opportunities in particular for our world class financial services sector,” added Bush.
Category: Business, Financial Services
Looking for some tips on how to suppress or ignore popular discontent with government? Or ink the deal with CHEC?
Had we opened this office 10 years ago, perhaps we could naively explain with hindsight the commercial rationale. To open it now, concurrent with recent extradition headlines, millions of people interred, amidst professed efforts to pursue economic substance, and during high stakes geopolitical trade warfare, is not just tone deaf to reality, but fiscally and morally irresponsible.
Who else was part of this “delegation”?
JuJu.
9.33am You just have to be kidding!!!!
Well now this puts a whole different slant on things.
Way to go Eric! Make Cayman proud!
Hong Kong needs a good CCTV system.
This is very important for our partnership with CHEC. Good job Unity team!
Sssssssh. Forbes is there so we can all relax. Good governance guaranteed, and all that.
Did they have time to see the protests?
Did you notice that as well? Good governance now means the Governor’s Office says it’s all fine. Nothing to do with what’s actually taking place, they just need to see that signatures are on documents and other people with English accents say it’s all above board and it must be. They better be careful they don’t get sued for failing to uphold their constitutional obligations.
Forbes is there because he was Deputy Consul General in Shanghai. Bush has zero knowledge of this part of the world and needed someone to hold his hand as his only experience is hosting cocktail parties in our London office.
Why does Eric still hold that position?
Eric was exiled for his CCTV, CIFS and HMP (among others) screw-ups. He has served his time and is being allowed to come home now.
If you must know, the real answer starts with an L and ends with E.
Lucre? Leisure?
Makes sense. I didn’t realize that he was a member.
It’s one thing the Civil Service is great at is spreading propaganda about people. This destroys careers, reputations and places much stress on families. Unna leave people alone nah.