AGP Executive Report

Financial Services: Premier André Ebanks heads to New York and Toronto from 13–16 October to meet reinsurance, investment and banking leaders and promote Cayman’s financial sector. Healthcare and Community Support: Parliament’s Finance Committee approved CI$44.9 million in supplementary funding, including CI$27.1 million for healthcare and CI$1.6 million for the Cayman Turtle Conservation and Education Centre. New Currency: Cayman’s 2026 coins, bearing King Charles III’s portrait, are due to enter circulation next week; older coins remain legal tender. Education: Miss Teen Cayman Islands Azariah Oswald received a scholarship worth up to $54,000 for local and overseas study. Ocean Outreach: CCMI is bringing marine scientists and storytellers to schools and free public events to build ocean awareness.

New Currency: Cayman’s 2026 coins, featuring King Charles III, are due to enter circulation next week. Existing Queen Elizabeth II coins will remain legal tender. Healthcare and Public Support: Parliament’s Finance Committee approved CI$44.9 million in supplementary funding, mostly for healthcare and community assistance. The government still expects a CI$26.6 million year-end surplus. Mosquito Control: Cayman has added US$4.43 million for mosquito control as ageing aircraft hamper spraying. Wage Survey: The 2026 Occupational Wage Survey is underway, collecting confidential data from businesses and government on pay, jobs and employee skills. Police Appeal: RCIPS is seeking witnesses to an early-morning George Town affray on North Church Street that left two people injured; three people have been arrested and bailed.

Public Finances: Government’s projected year-end surplus has risen to CI$26.6 million, even after Finance Committee approved nearly CI$45 million in extra spending. Community Support: Ministers are seeking more welfare funding as demand grows, while questions remain about how to measure the programme’s long-term impact. Public Safety: Police are seeking witnesses to a George Town assault after three people were arrested and bailed. A 65-year-old cruise visitor also died after getting into difficulty swimming off North Church Street—the eighth local-water death this year. Mosquito Control: Government added CI$3.7 million for two replacement aircraft and larvicide as the MRCU faces ageing planes and high mosquito numbers. Property Market: Cayman real estate sales are nearing CI$1 billion for the year, with condo prices still rising.

Public Safety: A 65-year-old US cruise visitor died after getting into difficulty swimming off North Church Street in George Town; she is the eighth person to die in Cayman waters this year. Police are also seeking witnesses to a midnight affray that left two people injured. Three people were arrested and bailed. Government Finances: Finance Committee approved nearly CI$45 million in additional 2026 spending, but the year-end surplus is still forecast at CI$26.6 million—about CI$16.6 million above the original estimate. Mosquito Control: Government added CI$3.7 million for a second replacement aircraft and larvicide as ageing planes and high mosquito numbers strain MRCU operations. Social Support: Officials are considering more welfare funding as assistance reaches about 3,000 people and the annual budget nears CI$50 million; ministers are also being urged to assess the programme’s long-term impact. Property: Cayman real-estate sales are nearing CI$1 billion for the year, with condo inventory tight and prices rising. Football: Cayman face Guyana away on Nov. 12 and 16 in Nations League matches, looking to improve on one point from their first four games.

Public Safety: A 65-year-old cruise ship visitor died after getting into difficulty swimming off North Church Street in George Town, the eighth fatality in local waters this year. Police are also seeking witnesses to a separate North Church Street assault; three people were arrested and bailed. Government Finances: The projected year-end surplus has risen to CI$26.6 million, despite nearly CI$45 million in new spending approved this week. Mosquito Control: Government added CI$3.7 million for a second replacement aircraft and more larvicide as mosquito numbers and aircraft maintenance challenges strain the MRCU. Social Support: Welfare spending is nearing CI$50 million, with officials facing calls to assess the programme’s long-term impact as more residents seek help. Local Milestone: Gloria McField-Nixon became the Cayman Islands’ first female Deputy Governor, taking her seat in Parliament to cross-party acclaim. Property Market: Real estate sales are approaching CI$1 billion for the year, while condo prices continue to rise and available inventory remains tight.

Police Appeal: RCIPS is seeking witnesses to a George Town affray shortly after midnight on October 8. Two people were injured and three suspects arrested and bailed as investigations continue. Public Finances: Finance Committee approved nearly CI$45 million in extra spending. The government now expects a CI$26.6 million year-end surplus, about CI$16.6 million above its original forecast. Mosquito Control: Government added CI$3.7 million to the MRCU budget for a second replacement aircraft and more larvicide, citing high mosquito numbers and maintenance problems with its ageing fleet. Visitor Safety: A 65-year-old cruise visitor died after getting into difficulty swimming off North Church Street in George Town—the eighth death in Cayman’s waters this year. Real Estate: Cayman property sales through September nearly matched last year’s record full-year total, while condo inventory remained tight. Government: Gloria McField-Nixon became the first woman to serve as Cayman’s Deputy Governor. Parliament also unanimously backed studying the creation of a sovereign wealth fund.

Public Safety: Police are investigating an affray at a George Town commercial premises that left two people injured; three people were arrested and later bailed. A 65-year-old cruise visitor also died after getting into difficulty swimming off North Church Street. Government: Parliament has backed a Cayman Islands sovereign wealth fund in principle, while the government is considering more welfare funding as assistance needs rise. The Mosquito Research and Control Unit received nearly CI$3.7 million for a second new aircraft and larvicide. Economy: Real estate sales through September are nearing $1 billion, close to last year’s record, with condo inventory still tight. Bermuda’s Clarien Bank has acquired NCB Cayman to expand its regional wealth-management business. Leadership and Community: Gloria McField-Nixon became the first woman to serve as Deputy Governor, and Caymanian students’ DumpDefender project earned a place among the top five in an international robotics challenge.

Cayman Leadership: Gloria McField-Nixon made history as the Islands’ first female Deputy Governor to take her seat in Parliament, where she received cross-party acclaim. Sovereign Fund: Parliament unanimously backed the idea of a Cayman Islands fund for public benefit, with research, consultation and an advisory committee still to come; no launch date has been set. Road Safety: Customs has resumed insurance checks for imported vehicles leaving the port under their own power. Vehicles without proof of cover must be towed. Community: Meals on Wheels’ Seniors Rock fundraiser raised CI$30,236.81 to support meals and wellness checks for older residents. Innovation: Cayman’s robotics team heads to South Korea after its DumpDefender landfill-safety project placed among the top five in an international competition involving 81 countries. Financial Services: Clarien Bank has acquired NCB (Cayman), expanding its regional private banking and wealth management business. Public Health: Mosquito counts have fallen about 75% on Grand Cayman, but biting remains high; aircraft downtime means control teams are relying on ground operations. Tourism: A 65-year-old American cruise visitor died after getting into difficulty while swimming near George Town.

Public Safety: A 65-year-old American cruise ship visitor died after getting into difficulty while swimming near North Church Street in George Town on October 6. Mosquito Control: Counts on Grand Cayman fell about 75% between October 3 and 7, but biting remains heavy in some areas. Aerial spraying is paused while the unit’s aircraft undergoes maintenance; ground operations continue. Health and Legislation: Parliament passed amendments expanding protections against tobacco and nicotine products and giving healthcare regulators more flexibility. Financial Services: Cayman hosted the CFATF Council of Ministers on October 1–2, bringing regional officials together to discuss efforts against money laundering and terrorist financing. Camana Bay: Dart has started work on The Brya, a 10-storey mixed-use building with 166 rental homes, offices, shops and restaurants, due for completion in 2028. Economic Growth: Cayman Enterprise City says 500 businesses now operate in its Special Economic Zone, a milestone for efforts to diversify the economy and create high-value jobs. Public Accountability: The Ombudsman’s Office marked Ombuds Day by highlighting its role in complaints, information access, data protection and whistleblower protection.

Parliament: Eight bills advanced through the House, including measures on tobacco and nicotine products, healthcare regulation and monetary authority. The tobacco amendments strengthen protections for young people; two public and environmental health bills were held back for further work. Economic Growth: Cayman Enterprise City marked 500 businesses in its Special Economic Zone, with leaders pointing to potential gains in high-value jobs, local business opportunities and skills. Financial Services: At the Spectrum conference, industry, government and regulators discussed Cayman’s global standing, tax transparency, AI and digital assets. Separately, Cayman reinsurers urged US regulators to reconsider proposed capital rules, arguing the approach could unfairly target the jurisdiction. Community: Poinciana Rehabilitation Centre will host a public open day on Saturday, with tours, information booths and a panel on rehabilitation and recovery.

Housing and Development: Finance Minister Rolston Anglin said 573 stamp-duty waivers worth CI$10.3 million were approved for Caymanian homebuyers from May 2025 to August 2026. A promised duty-concession policy for developers is still absent. Cost of Living: Government supports about 1,800 families with rent and bill payments at a cost of roughly $3 million a month, but Social Development Minister Isaac Rankine said longer-term outcomes are not yet being systematically measured. Beach Protection: Imported sand at the Grand Cayman Marriott is moving and beginning to mix with Seven Mile Beach’s native sand, the Department of Environment says. Monitoring continues as the project highlights the challenge of restoring lost shoreline. Reinsurance Rules: Cayman’s reinsurance industry is challenging proposed US capital rules, arguing regulators have not shown that tighter requirements are needed. Cayman’s life and annuities assets reached about $101 billion by the end of 2025, and the jurisdiction is seeking regulatory recognition from the NAIC. Jobs and Regional Cooperation: Proposed work-permit changes would keep 21-day advertising on the WORC portal but drop mandatory newspaper ads; the plan still needs approval. Cayman also hosted regional ministers for talks on anti-money-laundering standards as it prepares for a CFATF evaluation in December 2027.

CIIPA Leadership Boost: The Cayman Islands Institute of Professional Accountants strengthened its leadership with three senior appointments—Alfred Tweneboah as Deputy CEO, Samantha Bartlett as Associate Director (Regulatory Licensing & Compliance), and Tishan Connolly as Compliance Officer—effective 1 July 2026. Parliament Watch: In the 5 October parliamentary sitting, Minister Rolston Anglin reported student attendance at 89.4% for 2024-25, plus new early-intervention funding and an “Education Passport” plan to support children with additional needs. Health & Justice: The Drug Rehabilitation Court marked its final 2026 graduation ceremony, with alcohol identified as the main substance of concern for most graduates. The government also opened a consultation on a National Cancer Registry, proposing patient reporting within 14 days of diagnosis. Public Safety: CCTV coverage is set to expand on Grand Cayman after Cabinet-approved funding for new cameras. Work Permits: The Employment and Immigration Minister signaled proposed changes to work permit advertising—keeping WORC Jobs Portal ads for 21 days but dropping the local newspaper requirement. Regional Spotlight: Cayman hosted CFATF’s 18th Council of Ministers meeting as it prepares for its FATF evaluation in December 2027.

Work Permits: Minister Myles signals changes to work permit advertising—keeping the 21-day WORC Jobs Portal requirement but dropping the local newspaper ad, with a possible modest portal fee to fund the system. Public Safety: CBC has resumed checks at the port—imported vehicles won’t be released without proof of valid motor insurance, or they’ll be towed. CCTV Expansion: Government will spend CI$130,000 to expand the national CCTV network, aiming for better coverage and crime detection. Health Policy: A public consultation opens on a National Cancer Registry, proposing patient reporting within 14 days to build national cancer data. Local Culture & Community: Cayman-made film “CAY BLOCK” completes filming for a 2027 release, tackling addiction and redemption; plus Cayman Tourism is named lead sponsor for the 2026 CMEx Leadership Awards in Miami. Business & Finance: Cayman funds’ UK investment tops £99bn; and Green Circle Decarbonize Technology (Cayman holding) plans AI data-centre cooling expansion. Sports: Cayman’s Eastern Link free bus pilot launches for East End and North Side, connecting riders via Frank Sound Junction.

UK Investment: Cayman funds and investment structures have more than doubled their UK footprint, with Cayman direct investment in the UK rising to £99.3bn by end-2024, while Cayman funds boosted UK portfolio assets to US$733bn. Parliament: MPs returned for the 2 October sitting, tabling reports including the Children and Youth Services Foundation Annual Report 2025 and the Council of Older Persons highlights. Health Policy: Public consultation opens on a proposed National Cancer Registry, aimed at building reliable national cancer data to guide prevention and care. Regional Cooperation: Health minister Katherine Ebanks-Wilks strengthened Cayman’s regional presence at major Caribbean health forums in Washington and Miami. Environment & Education: Sustainable Cayman launched Biodiversity Cayman at UCCI, bringing endemic-species learning into classrooms and communities. Sports & Youth: Cayman Olympic Committee named its Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games team, while Minister Rankine visited Jamaica to deepen regional sports cooperation. Transport Pilot: The Eastern Link free public transport pilot launched 1 October for East End and North Side riders. Justice & Workplace: Deputy Governor Gloria McField-Nixon told Parliament complaints about ODPP working conditions, including bullying claims, have been investigated and an external support provider engaged.

ODPP Workplace Bullying: Deputy Governor Gloria McField-Nixon told Parliament that staff complaints about the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions have been made, including allegations of bullying and issues tied to workspace changes after office remodelling, with an external provider engaged to help address communication and related concerns. Fuel Consumer Protection: URCO published Fuel Quality Standards 2027, effective 1 January 2027, setting rules for fuel testing, labelling, and what happens when suppliers fall short—aimed at giving buyers clearer pump information and stronger accountability. UNESCO Bid Limits: Environment Minister Katherine Ebanks-Wilks said the Little Cayman UNESCO preliminary bid was narrowed to marine parks due to missing development and tourism management plans for the whole island, with the process expected to take about four years. Cayman Brac Sentencing: Devon Emmanuel Wright, acquitted of murder but convicted of abducting Alissady Powell and other crimes, was jailed for life with a 20-year minimum tariff for the abduction life term. Cayman Captive Forum: IMAC confirmed the 2026 Cayman Captive Forum (1–3 December) will spotlight AI, regulatory change, reinsurance innovation, and captive industry developments. Sports—Nations League: Puerto Rico beat Cayman Islands 1-0, while Guyana thrashed Dominica 8-1 as the Golden Jaguars moved closer to Gold Cup and League A. Business & Community: Chamber event “Discover Panama” highlighted Cayman-linked real estate investment opportunities; and CIFS appointed Gilbert Rankin as Divisional Manager (Aerodrome).

Financial Assistance Appeals: Minister Isaac Rankine met the Financial Assistance Appeals Tribunal to stress natural justice and remind residents that DFA decisions can be reconsidered and then appealed to an independent tribunal. Fuel Consumer Protection: URCO published Fuel Quality Standards 2027, effective 1 Jan 2027, setting rules for testing, labelling and supplier accountability for gasoline, diesel and propane. Legal Education: Collas Crill Moot returns for 2026, bringing sixth-form students from Cayman, Guernsey and Jersey into realistic mock trials mentored by lawyers. Cayman Captive Forum: IMAC says the 2026 Cayman Captive Forum (1–3 Dec) will put AI and regulatory change front and centre, with a new concurrent track on Wednesday. Environment: The environment minister has stopped the feral cat cull on the Sister Islands, citing concerns about the current trapping and euthanising method. Crypto & Cayman: Aave Labs’ proposal would create an ownerless Cayman foundation to hold Aave protocol IP, while DAO tokenholders keep governance control. Sports (Cayman in focus): Puerto Rico beat Cayman Islands 3-0 in CONCACAF Nations League action.