1a. What are the main challenges facing your Territory/the Territories… in relation to economic development?
Please note that the purpose and scope of this consultation is to hear views on how to implement the three main goals of UK policy towards the Overseas Territories, and that off-topic or other material which contravenes this site’s moderation policy will not be published. The three policy goals are:
- To strengthen the engagement and interaction between the UK and the Territories
- To work with Territories to strengthen good governance arrangements, public financial management and economic planning where this is necessary; and
- To improve the quality and range of support available to the Territories.
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Stagnant economy, confrontational backward-looking leadership that lacks vision and the failure of all previous governments to diversify the economy even when it was obvious that it would be folly to put all your eggs in one (or even two) baskets.
The Cayman Islands growth and development has matured to a stage that now calls for organization for the Cayman Islands and Caymanians.
For the past 24 months Caymanians have been grossly disenfranchised in that young Caymanian college and university graduates returning home are faced with resistance from employers who are allowed by the Cayman Islands government to hire cheap labor, pay for a work permit which brings in revenue for the local government and is a ‘Door Stopper” to the employment of young Caymanians and other age groups. Government is actually partnering with employers to keep Caymanians unemployed! It is a disgrace and is now inciting a social and economic revolution in the Cayman Islands that were once a quiet and crime-free society. Because of rejection from being employed our young people have no other recourse but to resort to crime, gunrunning, and drug trade. Cayman is now an attraction to drug lords because of the poor economic planning by the government of the day. Also the Rollover Policy must stay as it was created for a reason and it serves well if enacted effectively and efficiently to protect the interest of Caymanians and job placement and advancement for our people. The recent legislation passed approving l0 year work permits for foreign labor is the last nail in the coffin of Caymanians ever enjoying job opportunity in their homeland. The current government year after year has denied jobs to our people in exchange for work permit fees. Government must seek revenue for the public purse away from the backs of our poor disenfranchised Caymanians. Enough is enough. Our young college grads with degrees returning home cannot wait 10 years for a job nor wait l0 years for promotion while cheap foreign labor sits in the seat of what should be seen as a post to be filled by a Caymanian. The UDP government is destroying the socioeconomic landscape and overall face of the Cayman Islands which is a Financial center of the world as well as a tourist destination. It is no more a safe place.
There needs to be a Cayman Islands Homeland Security which is the Statutory Authority for all enforcement arms of government and our border patrol agencies.
No Premier, No Government official Nor elected or party politicians CAN EVER MANAGE, CONTROL, DIRECT, INFLUENCE OR MANAGE THIS NEW STATUTORY AUTHORITY CAYMAN SO DESPERATELY NEEDS.
Just like the courts, the Statutory authority reports to HM. The Queen if it is to function well and effectively, and efficiently.
Currently the most important positions are not civil servant paid but in fact to the destruction of our country’s socioeconomic landscape; the post of Work Permit Chairman is a “Volunteer’s” position! Including board members. Similarly the Immigration Board Director as well, such important positions are voluntary! this is to the detriment of our country since Volunteers are never responsible and cannot ever be held accountable for what they do and the bad decisions they are making. Such positions are of paramount importance and crucial to decision making for the wellbeing of the Cayman Islands; and it is senseless to hand over such a hefty responsibility to volunteers and expect them to perform or deliver any solution to the needs of the country and its people. All these positions MUST BE FILLED BY PAID STAFF who should report to a CHAIRMAN OR CHIEF OF CAYMAN ISLANDS HOMELAND SECURITY which must be an Independent Statutory Authority if we are to be free from the injustices that the people of the Cayman Islands are currently faced with inflicted by Party politics.
The following should come under such an authority:-
Work Permit Board & Director
Immigration Department
Immigration Board & Director
Labor Office & Director
DER (Director of Employee Relations)
H. M. Customs Department ( now being abused for drugs and illegal weapons trafficking by customs staff)
Port Authority
Fire Department
Environment
Any other border patrol related arm or body of government not mentioned.
Also, the quality of border patrol necessary to curtail drug trafficking and possible human trafficking as well as gun smuggling in the Cayman Islands needs to be upgraded and needs to be managed by the creation of a Cayman Islands Coast Guard. This can create jobs and young school leavers can see this new opportunity as a career.
The Coast Guard must also come under the umbrella of the Statutory Authority named Cayman Islands Homeland Security which must be held responsible for all departments of government aforementioned that are functioning as border patrol agencies or homeland security, and they all are accountable and report to the Cayman Islands Homeland Authority..
This new statutory authority is a matter of urgency, and should be implemented immediately.
The model of financial services and tourism has been very successful for the British Virgin Islands along with other small overseas territories. With the growth of our populations, there is a need to further develop the economic model to ensure a good quality of life for all. Outside tourism and financial services, It is difficult for a small island territory, due to a multiplicity of factors, to compete with much larger nations in offering goods and services in the global marketplace. I believe that the best way forward is to develop the local economy, providing opportunities for local entrepreneurs and local labour. A lot of money is leaving the territory with residents traveling to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico to access goods and services at a cheaper price. With the UK government’s help, local entrepreneurs can access the expertise, technology, and experience that are necessary to take our businesses to the next level. Our local business bureau can certainly make use of the expertise available in the UK. I also think that the within the UK are investors who are willing to partner with locals in businesses where the locals are either equal or majority share holders. This presents opportunities for up and coming venture capitalists from the UK along with ambitious Virgin Islanders.