Topic: Wayne Panton
Gambling Law changes will allow cruise ship registration
Proposed changes to the Gambling Law, which go before the Legislative Assembly this week, are designed to allow cruise ships to be registered in the Cayman Islands.
Frustration, confusion over cash transfers
Venting frustration and looking for solutions, hundreds of workers from overseas, mainly from Jamaica, packed into the town hall in George Town on Tuesday night, looking for solutions to the problem of sending cash home.
Government gives green light to George Town cruise dock
Plans for a new cruise port in George Town harbor will move forward, Premier Alden Mclaughlin announced Wednesday afternoon.
Mr. McLaughlin said government had considered the environmental and economic implications and agreed to allow the project to proceed to the next stage.
Jamaican Consulate hosts public meeting on money transfers
The Jamaican consulate will host a public meeting Tuesday evening to address growing concerns about a U.S. cash shortage and remittances.
US cash shortage increases price for consumers
Clarifying comments made last week, Financial Services Minister Wayne Panton says that the Cayman Islands currency is not being devalued by the shortage of U.S. dollars.
Bill seeks to eliminate liquor license 'black market'
Sweeping changes proposed for Cayman’s Liquor Licensing Law seek to end what government and business leaders have often described as the “black market” for liquor licenses.
Chamber to host free monthly workshops for small business
The Ministry of Commerce has awarded a contract for hosting small business workshops to the Chamber of Commerce.
Coral relocation possible, consultant says
Just under a third of the corals in the proposed construction site for a new cruise berthing facility in George Town harbor could be relocated, according to a marine consultant’s survey.
The survey, involving scientific divers and sonar imaging of the sea floor, was commissioned to get a more precise estimate of the number of corals that would be impacted by the project.
The report concludes that around 391,000 hard corals and 61,000 soft corals will be affected over 11 acres.
Minister: US cash shortage 'temporary'
A shortage in U.S. cash could lead to devaluation of the Cayman Islands currency, but Financial Services Minister Wayne Panton said Monday that he expects the shortage will be temporary.
Money transfer companies, used primarily by expat workers to send cash overseas, started shipping U.S. cash off island after Cayman National Bank stopped providing banking services for the transfers.
Licensing enforcement worries business owners
Cayman Islands business owners are not particularly concerned about complying with a new Trade and Business Licensing Law, but they say they are worried about a lack of enforcement against those who do not follow the rules.
Fishermen object to marine parks plan
Department of Environment officials this week brought their proposals for an enhanced system of marine parks to West Bay, where they received a less-than-enthusiastic response from fishermen.
Small business tax breaks extended
Cayman's small and 'micro' businesses will get another year of breaks on licensing fees.
UK minister: 'More than one way' on beneficial ownership
Acting U.K. Overseas Territories Minister Grant Shapps said Thursday he is hopeful that Cayman and the Mother Country can reach some form of agreement on requirements to list the beneficial owners of companies registered here.
Public invited to consult on marine parks proposal
The Ministry of the Environment will begin seeking public input next month on proposals for an enhanced system of marine parks.
Cash transfer firms no longer accepting Cayman dollars
With no new bank stepping forward by Tuesday’s deadline, cash transfer services that are still operating on island announced they would no longer accept Cayman Islands currency.
Fallout spreads from Mr. Eden’s intemperate remarks
Anthony Eden’s remarks on the floor of the Legislative Assembly regarding homosexuality could not have been more ill-conceived – but they were also ill-timed.
Despite deadline, cash transfers will continue
Cash transfer companies Jamaica National, MoneyGram and Quick Cash will only accept US dollar from today.
MLA Suckoo denies 'hate speech,' apologizes
One Bodden Town MLA at the center over allegations of 'hate speech' against homosexuals speaks out.
Marriage debate was 'hate speech,' rights commission says
The Human Rights Commission accused certain MLAs of using their elected positions to espouse “poisonous hate speech and threats of violence” against homosexual men and women.
Demand notices sent on dozens of properties
Since the beginning of the year, demand notices have been issued by Cayman Islands financial institutions on 39 properties that hold a total of $8.45 million in loans.
Personal finance meetings begin at MLA offices
A personal financial advisory program sponsored by two Cayman Islands Legislative Assembly members got under way Tuesday night.
Cash transfer services talks continue as deadline nears
With the Aug. 25 deadline approaching, negotiations continue to try to find a solution for cash transfer companies to stay open.
Government says marriage is between one man, one woman
The Cayman Islands government has passed a motion to maintain the definition of marriage as it is currently written in the law: a union between a man and a woman.
New plane sparks hope of Brac revival
Cayman Airways adds a new 34-seat turboprop plane to its fleet amid high hopes that it will help spark a tourism revival on Cayman Brac.
Government rescued by FirstCaribbean on debt deal
Government agrees to back a US$36.8 million refinancing deal for some development bank loans.
Missing part of cruise pier report published
Facing pressure from pro cruise port campaigners, government has released a draft of a management plan aimed at reducing environmental damage during the construction phase of the controversial project.
Volunteers help clear home destroyed by fire
For the second time in three weeks, the Cayman community has come to the aid of a family that lost their home to fire.
Minister: Cayman funds ready to compete in European Union
Cayman takes further steps to ease competition for local investment funds in the European market.
Special Olympics team home in triumph
The Cayman Islands team returned from the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles on Tuesday afternoon clutching their 52 medals with pride.
Western Union: Closure 'temporary'
A Western Union spokeswoman says the cash transfer company hopes to reopen in the Cayman Islands while other remittance companies work to find a new bank by the end of the month.
Forensic accountants to review FIFA bank transactions
An international accounting firm is being brought in to assist the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority with a forensic review of any local bank transactions connected to the U.S.-based indictments of FIFA officials.
Most MLAs not ready to take sides
The members of the Legislative Assembly are not yet revealing where they stand on the issue of whether a cruise berthing facility should be built in George Town Harbour.
CIMA directors change in midst of 'internal review'
Changes are made at the top for the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority.
Government sees spike in foreclosures again
A second rise in foreclosures within two years is cause for concern in Cayman.
More cash transfer companies in jeopardy of closing
Following the sudden closure of Western Union this month, the remaining money transfer businesses in the Cayman Islands face the possibility of closing unless they can make new banking arrangements by the end of August.
Cruise berthing: Calming Cayman's roiled waters
Before the debate over George Town cruise berthing goes too far off the deep end, let us attempt to steer the conversation back toward calmer waters.
Endangered species law enacted after more than a decade
A law governing the trade in endangered plants and animals has come into effect 11 years after passing through the Legislative Assembly.
Cayman will implement OECD automatic exchange this year
More than 90 jurisdictions around the world have committed to the implementation of the common reporting standard.
Manhattan DA: Cayman ‘better positioned’ to fight terrorism finance
A top U.S. prosecutor says Cayman is currently better prepared to fight against terrorism financing than America.
Lawmakers approve film ratings board
Cayman's film regulation process gets a revamp.
Cayman named on new EU blacklist
The European Commission has named Cayman on a list of the top 30 non-cooperative tax jurisdictions.
MLA urges Caymanian business ownership rule
MLA Arden McLean advocates for a change of company ownership rules to deal with the issue of fronting.
Auditors Oversight Authority funding questioned
Members of Finance Committee said the Auditors Oversight Authority should be fully funded by the audit firms that benefit from regulation.
Agreement allows for new special economic zones
Government has renegotiated its definitive agreement with Cayman Enterprise City, paving the way for new technology-based activities.
Business in brief
A roundup ol local business news.
Incentives double licensed small and micro businesses
A reduction in the cost of trade and business licensing fees for micro- and small-business owners which took effect Aug. 31, 2014, has contributed to doubling the number of licensed businesses.
Cayman leaders celebrate Conservative win
Premier Alden McLaughlin has expressed relief at the U.K. general election result, claiming a Labour victory would have had “dire consequences” for the Cayman Islands.
Financial industry courts talented students
A 12-week career coaching and work experience program is being launched for high-achieving students interested in careers in the financial services industry.
Cox Lumber opens in Bodden Town
After seven years in the works, Cox Lumber Ltd. opened its doors in Bodden Town Friday.
Copyright update means changes for government too
With new intellectual property rules coming into force this fall, government will have to stop violating copyrights.
Districts on opposite ends of voting debate
West Bay and Bodden Town districts go in different directions on a proposed voting change for Cayman.
Powers of MLAs questioned
Premier Alden McLaughlin insists his backbench MLAs have far more influence on government policy than outside observers may realize.
Legislative Assembly passes aircraft-related bills
The new legislation seeks to boost the local aviation sector.
Development Bank has no cash for business loans
The Cayman Islands Development Bank is currently unable to offer loans to small businesses, according to Commerce Minister Wayne Panton.
Innovation on display at Small Business Expo
A Cayman brand of wigs and hair extensions, an aerial photography firm and a gym equipment mechanic were among the niche businesses displaying at the Small Business Expo on Saturday.
Legislative roundup: Caretakers get break on rollover
Caregivers of the elderly, sick and disabled are again granted their rollover exemption.
Protected species legislation comes into force this week
Substantial parts of the National Conservation Law, including the sections for designating protected land and protected species, will come into force on Earth Day later this month, Environment Minister Wayne Panton has confirmed.
Cayman to dump current trademarks law
Cayman seeks to bring its rules around patents and trademarks into the 21st century.
Cayman copyrights: Plank-walking time for intellectual piracy
Our country’s laissez-faire attitude toward copyright infringement is a
third-world anachronism to which we cannot afford to cling, that is if
we want Cayman to have a first-world economy.
Cayman enters 'intellectual property' era
The lack of modern legal protections for intellectual property is costing the Cayman Islands business.
Cayman to come in line with UK, EU copyright and patent laws
The United Kingdom has extended provisions of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to the Cayman Islands.
Students make documentary on Cayman marine life
Students from the Cayman Islands Further Education Centre are using their media skills to make a social action film about Cayman’s seas.
Premier leads delegation to London
Cayman's premier leads a delegation to London for a series of meetings next week.
Government launches FATCA portal
The Cayman Islands Department for International Tax Cooperation has launched an Automatic Exchange of Information portal that allows Cayman’s financial institutions to register and report customer data under the U.S. Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act.
George Town road widening to begin this month
Road works seeking to widen and improve connections to two key roads in the central George Town area are scheduled to begin within the next month, according to the National Roads Authority.
Business in brief
A roundup of business happenings.
Maritime chief stays on at authority
The head of Cayman's Maritime Authority will stay in that position while criminal charges against him are decided.
Damaged coral: Volunteers step up, Carnival pitches in
Money talks. And Carnival's $100,000 donation is a declaration of the company's regard for the Cayman Islands' marine environment.
Cruise line pledges $100k to reef restoration
Carnival Cruise Lines has stepped up with a $100,000 donation to support the restoration of a section of coral reef that was severely damaged by one of its cruise ship anchors.
Conservation law inches towards full implementation
Environment Minister Wayne Panton expects to be able to bring around 80 percent of the National Conservation Law into force within the next few months.
Traffic nightmare for BT residents
Traveling in from Grand Cayman's eastern districts is growing tedious and dangerous, residents say.
CIMA places Caledonian into controllership
The Cayman Islands Monetary Authority has placed Caledonian Securities and Caledonian Bank into controllership just days after the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filed a lawsuit against the bank and its brokerage.
