Advocacy

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2011 Year in Review 

Advocacy has always played a vital role in the Chamber’s strategic agenda but none more so than last year as we saw the launch and development of the Future of Cayman economic development initiative. Engaging with local media, attending Government discussions and presentations, and serving on public sector committees and associations has been very productive.

• Developed Steering Committee for FoC
• Developed co-chairs for FoC driver groups
• Developed and produced FoC Strategic Report through website and print
• Signed MOU with Government regarding the FoC initiative
• Released Economic Development Survey
• Released Training Needs Survey
• Released Financial Assistance and Scholarship Survey
• Released OT/UK Relationship Survey
• Released Benefits Survey
• Attended Regional Conference on Economic and Employment Recovery
• Released Second Annual State of Business Survey
• Released media statement on Gender Equality Bill
• Released media statement on Cayman’s violent crime spree
• Seeking better Health Insurance rates for members
• Reestablished an Employment Legislation Review Committee to review the Labour Law and Regulations and the proposed revisions of the Pension Law and Regulations.
• Attended third Caribbean Academy for the Management of Employers’ Organisations
• Presented Paper on issues of concern, at the United Nations by invitation of the United
• Nations Special Committee concerned with the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples
• Held strategic planning session for years 2012-2014
• Completed fact finding visit sponsored by China Harbour Engineering Company to tour three projects under development in Jamaica.
• Sat on the following boards and advisory committees: Port Authority Board, Turtle Farm Board, Term Limit Review Committee, Data Protection Advisory Committee, UK/Cayman Islands Relationship Review Committee, Trade and Business Licensing Law Review Committee, National Investment Council, National Pensions Board, National Energy Policy Committee, Junior Achievement Cayman Islands, Council of Associations, Chamber Pension Plan, HIV and AIDS Multi-sectoral Advisory Committee, and the Economic Continuity Committee – Hazard Management Cayman Islands

 
Future of Cayman Strategic Report
The Future of Cayman Strategic Report was released and the response has been positive.

At the official launch held at the Chamber of Commerce in July 2011, The Premier W. McKeeva Bush; Leader of the Opposition Alden McLaughlin; and MLA for North Side Ezzard Miller, each offered their support for this new approach to economic development and sustainability. In addition to this, the Premier signed an agreement with the Chamber, endorsing the initiative wholeheartedly.

Former Chamber President, James O’Neill: “No one is suggesting that this is a magic bullet that will solve all the country’s problems in one fell swoop. What is apparent though is that those countries that have brought their public and private sectors together to collaborate on a shared vision and strategy are seeing a faster and more solid recovery.

The report is a starting point for Cayman as we put some strategies in place to give some solid foundation to our goals – it will not work in isolation but it will ensure that we are all pulling in the same direction.”

United Nations Caribbean Regional Seminar
We attended and delivered an expert paper on self determination at the Caribbean Regional Seminar on the implementation of the Third International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism: Goals andexpected accomplishments in Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines from 31st May until 2nd June, 2011.

The discussion focused on the dynamics and possible action concerning the 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories under the Special Committee’s purview in the Caribbean, Pacific and other regions, as well as the United Nations system assistance.

International Forum on Caribbean Investment and Development
We accepted an invitation by the International Development Bank and the Caribbean Central American Action group to attend the International Forum on Caribbean Investment and Development in Washington, DC, and served on the panel discussion on Public-Private Sector Cooperation on Business Risk.

The conference attracted business and government leaders from the Caribbean, Central and North America. The forum was a comprehensive conference on business and economic development in the Caribbean, designed to provide participants with a critical mix of business networking and social dialogue.

The event was designed to be of value to the people who were already doing business in the Caribbean, who were looking at opportunities to do business there, or who were involved in economic policy in the region.