Premier Brown’s Statements: India and Russia

Below follows the full Ministerial Statements from Premier Dr. Ewart Brown on the Indian movie to be filmed in Bermuda, and his recent trip to Russia to deal with matters relating to Bermuda’s Aircraft Registry from the debate on the House of Assembly today [May 14]:

Statement on the Indian movie to be partly-filmed in Bermuda:

Mr. Speaker, honourable members will recall the raft of opportunities I was pleased to announce after a successful trip to India. Mr. Speaker, the momentum from that visit has been sustained and I am pleased to advise this Honourable House that already we are seeing tangible results to the benefit of Bermuda.

During this past week, Mr. Speaker a series of Indian businessmen have been in Bermuda looking at the beauty, infrastructure and success of our Island. To a man they have been impressed and their visit has cemented positive Bermudian imagery in their minds.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to advise this Honourable House that portions of a major, mainstream Indian film will be shot in Bermuda during the first week of September.

Mr. Speaker, this will expose Bermuda to audiences not only in India but in the United States, Canada and the UK. The film’s worldwide release date is January 14th 2011. Mr. Speaker, this is a major achievement which will provide a short-term boost to tourism and related services while the crew and stars are in Bermuda and will be followed by significant exposure into new and emerging markets from which we can only benefit.

Mr. Speaker, in keeping with the usual placement of positive news for Bermuda as achieved by this Government, the Royal Gazette’s coverage of this announcement featured in the middle of page 7.

Mr. Speaker, representatives of the Whistling Woods Film, TV and Animation Institute met with the academic executive of the Bermuda College and hosted an informational forum at the campus during their visit. Those in attendance heard first hand of the opportunity for Bermudian students to attend Asia’s largest film school at discounted rates of tuition.

Mr. Speaker, sports linkages, public safety innovation and financial association were all pursued during this initial visit and I am pleased to advise this Honourable House that positive receptions were received in every meeting. Significant interest in a fulsome “India Strategy” has been expressed by Bermuda based insurers and reinsurers and through their representative organizations detailed presentations of specific India-opportunities will be arranged.

Mr. Speaker, this relationship is growing and Bermuda will continue to see benefits. As one commentator observed in a recent issue of Newsweek magazine, the emergence of economies like India and China should be no surprise to students of history.

While Western Europe and the Americas were bands of nomadic tribes the East and Asia were centres of commerce, trade and were the only real modern economies. Courting them is something most countries recognize as sensible and increasingly necessary.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Statement on the Premier’s trip to Russia:

Good morning Mr. Speaker.

I rise before this Honourable House to provide a report on my recent visit to Russia. As Honourable Members are aware this Government has committed itself to protecting the Department of Civil Aviations Aircraft Registry, the jobs it creates and the millions of dollars it contributes to our economy.

While this visit to Russia was scheduled months ago, the recent unfounded concerns expressed by Her Majesty’s Government placed a higher importance on the meetings with Russian Airlines, Aviation Officials and Regulators. We were able to inform our Russian partners directly and ease their concerns.

Mr. Speaker. We began by meeting with Bureau Veritas a global organization headquartered in France with an aerospace division in Moscow. Honourable Members should be aware that Bermuda’s Department of Civil Aviation contracts BV to conduct airworthiness oversight of Bermuda registered aircraft operating in Russia as well as aircraft maintenance facilities. Bureau Veritas which has an office of 6 fulltime staff based in Moscow was represented by Aeronautic & Space Division Project Managers Mounir Ben Mansour and Georges Schmuck in the meeting. This meeting provided us with an opportunity to be updated on the Russian aviation market and to prepare for meetings with the airlines and the Russian Civil Aviation Authority.

Director of Civil Aviation Mr. Thomas Dunstan and I then met with Russian Airlines Aeroflot, S7, UT Air, with the Department of State Policy for Civil Aviation and the Federal Air Transport Agency responsible for handling aviation regulatory oversight under Russia’s Ministry of Transport. We were struck by the consistent praise for our Aircraft Register, the high standard of our work and the fantastic service they have experienced in conducting business with Bermuda. They each welcomed the news that we plan to open a satellite Civil Aviation unit at the Bermuda office in London.

This has been a grueling schedule but well worth it. The work of our Director Thomas Dunstan and his team has been exemplary and I believe that this outstanding team deserves to lead a growing aircraft register on behalf of Bermuda.

Mr. Speaker, Before I conclude, I would like to take a moment to address the irresponsible and careless attacks on this Government by the Opposition. As the duly elected representatives of the people, we have an obligation to protect our economy and Bermudian jobs. When it comes to our economy and when it comes to Bermudian jobs we have an obligation to be a part of the solution and not a part of the problem. While Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition has done their best to make the Aircraft Registry a political football our Government remains focused on the real issues facing our people.

In their efforts to discredit the Government they have run a real risk of undermining our ability to save the Air Registry. If the Opposition’s rule is ‘Bermuda First’ only when they say so, then their credibility on other pressing issues is in doubt. This is an issue in which the petty partisans are out of their league. This is too serious to play politics

The facts are:

• Government was aware that resources were stretched prior to the ICAO audit and had placed restrictions on the growth of the register for a period of 5 months

• During this period Government provided support to the Department of Civil Aviation to increase the number of contracted inspectors and developed a plan to hire temporary staff as an interim measure.

• Whilst the published Full Time Employees s for DCA have shown little growth, resources have been engaged to ensure oversight responsibilities are carried out

• 4 Temporary additional positions were created in the last Financial Year.

• 4 additional Contracted Inspectors have been approved in the past six months

• Government implemented a full strategic review on the Department, from which it was expected that additional full time employees would be identified.

• The strategic plan review was completed and accepted by Cabinet and a business plan developed from this review. The business plan takes a holistic look at the Department – systems, processes, technology- and not just human resources, to create an efficient organization

• 4 more Temporary Additional positions will be added this year, which will mirror posts indicated in the Business Plan.

• DCA has engaged the services of reputable aviation organizations to conduct specific oversight functions in the areas of Continuing Airworthiness (a relatively new requirement) and Safety Management. We will continue to engage such companies for projects as required.

• Contracting services is an acceptable means of conducting regulatory oversight to both the UK and ICAO. Many countries outsource parts of their regulatory responsibilities and countries such as France and Luxembourg have outsourced significant portions for years.

• The ICAO has accepted all the action plans submitted in response to the audit findings.

Mr. Speaker, These are long term fixes, not short term repairs. The registry is made up mainly of clients who choose to be on the Register, and could one day choose not to be. Therefore we must strike a balance between Full Time Employees and contractors so that if the Register were to decrease we are not put in the situation of downsizing the staff.

Mr. Speaker, The benefits that our well managed, professional and internationally recognized Air Registry contributes to Bermuda in terms of jobs for our people and revenue for our economy is enormous. For this reason it is a priority of this Government that it be protected, preserved and grow from strength to strength for the benefit of our people.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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