Tag: André Ebanks
Ebanks hopes to enhance maritime business
(CNS): Financial Services Minister André Ebanks travelled to Athens, Greece, last week to support Maritime Authority of the Cayman Islands (MACI) CEO Joel Walton and his staff in meetings with members of the Greek shipping community. The trip was part of MACI’s year-long celebrations of the 120-year anniversary of the Cayman Islands Shipping Registry and […]
Budget under pressure from those in need
(CNS): The Cayman Islands Government has agreed to look at increasing the ex gratia pension paid to retired civil servants, though Social Development Minister André Ebanks warned that this might be very difficult, given the budget constraints caused by the recent increase in long-term financial assistance payments. These stipends were recently increased from CI$950 to […]
PACT presses ahead with Asia office
(CNS): The establishment of a Cayman Islands Government office in Singapore has been approved by Cabinet. The office, which will be headed by Gene DaCosta as the CIG’s overseas representative to Asia, is expected to be open for business well before the end of the year after the administrative details have been completed.
Final FATF onsite visit key to Cayman’s ‘de-listing’
(CNS): Local officials remain hopeful that the Cayman Islands will be removed from the Financial Action Task Force’s grey list during the upcoming FATF Plenary in October after a final visit by FATF officials last week. The onsite visit by a delegation from the Americas Joint Group, a sub-working group of the FATF’s International Co-Operation […]
BO access won’t be public yet under new bill
(CNS): The Cayman Islands Government has rolled out another piece of legislation to enhance its anti-money laundering regime. However, the Beneficial Ownership Transparency Bill only improves access for law enforcement and relevant agencies, not the public. While the bill has provisions to allow public access in future, officials said that will not happen before Cayman […]
Acting chief lands top post at MIISD
(CNS): Fourteen months after she began acting as chief officer for the Ministry of Investment, Innovation and Social Development, Tamara Ebanks has been appointed to the actual role. Officials said she secured the post following a “rigorous open recruitment process”, including a panel interview.
CI$550K added to housing repairs budget
(CNS): Cabinet has approved an additional CI$550,000 for a second Housing Repairs Assistance Programme to help people who don’t have the means to repair their homes. The government has also authorised the National Housing and Development Trust (NHDT) to use $1.6 million of its budget to do the same thing for people not eligible for […]
Children’s homes to stretch CI$100k for upgrades
(CNS): The government has approved an additional CI$100,000 for the CAYS Foundation, a non-profit organisation that runs the Bonaventure Boys’ Home, the Frances Bodden Children’s Home and a secure facility for children on care and protection orders, Phoenix House. The money will be used for much-needed upgrades to the organisation’s IT network, additional housing facilities […]
Seniors and disabled get $300 benefit rise
(CNS): Adults living with permanent disabilities and seniors who receive financial support from the government are getting an early increase in those benefits this year, officials have announced. The monthly stipend administered by the Needs Assessment Unit (NAU) will increase by more than 30% to $1,250 per month from the current payments of $950, with […]
FATF visit to decide Cayman’s ‘grey’ list fate
(CNS): The Financial Action Task Force plenary session wrapped up in Paris on Friday, but the Cayman Islands is still on the FATF “grey” list, meaning that this jurisdiction’s measures to combat money laundering and terrorist financing (AML/CFT) remain under increased monitoring. Although Cayman has “substantially completed its action plan”, it will not be removed […]
Minister in Europe to tackle grey list issue
(CNS): Minister André Ebanks departed for Europe this weekend, heading a local delegation in the battle to finally get the Cayman Islands removed from the FATF grey list at a meeting in Paris next week. If he succeeds, this jurisdiction will likely also be removed from the European Union AML List in October.
