Tag: André Ebanks
Deputy premier seeks to win hearts and minds in USA
(CNS): Deputy Premier and Financial Services Minister André Ebanks spent last week in Washington DC and New York City attempting to win over the hearts and minds of US politicians and the media in relation to the Cayman Islands’ position as a financial centre. Ebanks was in the US for over a week, from 13 […]
NAU offers more resources under new policies
(CNS): As the Needs Assessment Unit (NAU) prepares to morph into the Financial Assistance Department and new legislation providing for Cayman’s future welfare needs is rolled out, the Ministry of Social Development has implemented a series of enhancements to financial assistance programmes to provide better support.
Local demand for drugs fuelling gun smuggling
(CNS): There are at least 90 illegal guns currently on the streets of the Cayman Islands that police know about, it was revealed at a meeting about the escalating violence held in West Bay Wednesday night, and senior RCIPS officers and politicians drew a link between the demand for drugs and the smuggling of firearms. […]
NAU launches fraud hotline to report welfare cheats
(CNS): As the Needs Assessment Unit begins rolling out its new technology platform to improve the delivery of social services, it has launched a dedicated Fraud Reporting Hotline. Given the broad perception that some people receiving government cash are either undeserving or not Caymanian, the phone line has been installed to promote transparency and accountability.
West Bay church gets $450k from CIG for shelter
(CNS): The Church of God Chapel in West Bay has received a grant from the public purse of $450,000 towards the redevelopment of the church building, which will include an emergency shelter for 200 people from the surrounding community. The money has come from unused capital expenditure in the 2023 budgets of the social development […]
Minister says amended law will help financial sector
(CNS): Financial Services Minister André Ebanks has said that one of the bills he will be presenting to parliament next month will enhance the local financial services sector “in the face of changing market dynamics”. According to a release from his ministry, the Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which was gazetted last week, will enhance Cayman’s […]
Cayman Islands to get off EU black list next month
(CNS): The Cayman Islands will finally be removed from the European Union’s black list of jurisdictions with deficiencies in their AML/CFT (anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism) regimes on 7 February, government officials have said. An amendment to the relevant EU regulation says that, based on Cayman’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force’s AML ‘grey […]
Bus donated anonymously to Sunrise Centre
CNS: A generous anonymous donor has purchased a wheelchair-accessible minibus, worth an estimated CI$85,000, for the Sunrise Adult Training Centre (SATC). Sunrise provides comprehensive support and training for adults with diverse abilities, and the Ministry of Social Development said in a release that the bus “will significantly enhance the centre’s ability to serve its clients […]
Cayman’s AML ‘delisting’ begins in Europe and UK
(CNS): Following the removal of the Cayman Islands from the Financial Action Task Force grey-list last month, the jurisdiction is now also being removed from other lists related to anti-money laundering, countering the financing of terrorism and counter-proliferation financing (AML/CFT/CPF) regime.
Christmas bonus and pension rise cleared for payment
(CNS): Cabinet has approved a $250 Christmas bonus for those who receive long-term financial assistance through the Needs Assessment Unit (NAU) and recipients of the Seafarers and Veterans Ex-Gratia Benefit. Officials have also confirmed that the increase from $950 to $1,250 for former public sector workers receiving the ex gratia pension, promised by Premier Juliana […]
Fee waivers to remain in place for small business
(CNS): The government has announced that the fee exemptions or major discounts for micro and small businesses will not change next year. Owners will continue to pay either no fees or significantly reduced fees for trade and business licences in 2025 as part of the continuation of the Small Business Incentive Programme (SBIP), which began […]
