Jan 14: Commercial Immigration Public Meeting
The Ministry of Home Affairs will host a public meeting on January 14 to provide information on Commercial Immigration. The meeting will take place at the Cathedral Hall on Church Street from 6.00 pm – 7.30 pm.
In last November’s Throne Speech, Government announced its intention of exploring the concept of commercial immigration, an initiative aimed at creating jobs and stimulating the economy.
A spokesperson said, “The purpose of the meeting is to provide the public with an opportunity to learn more about other jurisdiction models of commercial immigration and commence a dialogue about potential models that could benefit Bermuda.
“The presentation will be facilitated by an independent think tank, the Migration Policy Institute (MPI) – an organisation based out of Washington DC. MPI is dedicated to the analysis of the movement of people worldwide and they have extensively researched other governments’ commercial immigration policies.
“Commercial immigration is fast being seen as an emerging global trend, where countries are using creative methods of encouraging investment and create new jobs.
“Models are being used in close to 20 countries, including St. Kitts, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Malta, Mauritus, the US, the UK, Canada, Singapore, Monaco, Portugal, Latvia and many others.
“And in recent months, the Ministry has reviewed the various models that countries are using to drive investment, create jobs and stimulate tourism developments and capital projects.
Minister of Home Affairs Michael Fahy said, “As we indicated in our Throne Speech, one of our primary objectives since coming to office has been to give Bermudians a new chance, by breathing life back into the economy, creating jobs and providing hope and opportunities for our people.
“For the past year, this Government’s focus has been on rebuilding the economic foundation of the Island, unblocking the job-creating power of the private sector and restoring confidence in the Island as a place to do business. Measures to refresh the Island’s attractiveness to international business and tourism investment are a critical part of the Government’s economic turnaround plan.
“Growing the economy and getting more people and investment capital to our shores, is the most direct way to generate the jobs and opportunities that Bermudians need.
“With these goals in mind, the Ministry of Home Affairs will host an information session next Tuesday to discuss the potential for direct inward investment in the Island through a commercial immigration programme that supports business, job and career opportunities for Bermudians.”
Minister Fahy continued, “The structure of the conversation will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of commercial immigration as well as present ideas on what investors could receive in return for their investment.
“As I have previously said, while there are varying views regarding the solutions needed to grow the economy, the general consensus is that bold ideas need to be explored. Commercial immigration is one such initiative that we are exploring.
“It’s my hope that we can have a robust, yet constructive discussion around this topic and we look forward to the public’s participation, input and ideas to assist the government in making informed decisions on immigration policies and direct inward investment opportunities.”
Update 8.27pm: Tweet sent this evening from MP Walton Brown
Commercial immigration is a cynical and deceptive ploy by the OBA to achieve a political agenda and marginalise Bermudians.
— Walton Brown (@waltonbda) January 9, 2014
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- Ministry On Commercial Immigration Meeting | Bernews.com | January 13, 2014
Get the popcorn on!
Fire sale!
I wud push this one to parliament vote and everything/anything else that will help draw foreign investment…it took our former govt 4 yrs to kill the goose…it’ll take the OBA at least 4 yrs to find another one
It took a lot more than 4 years to do the damage the PLP did…
Well done OBA, this forward thinking if done correctly will benefit all of us!! Bermuda needs to grow its population with those coming here having the money to invest, this will go along way with getting us out of the mess the plp left us in through their incompetence with chasing the people that made and had money out of here!!!
Good idea,it has worked well for Malta and other small places.
Bold ideas!
at least we know Craig didn’t come with the idea….
Did he claim he did?
Oh, wait. You’re just continuing to spread the ridiculous “The Premier is a puppet” nonsense.
Never mind. You can be dismissed.
What are you the Premier’s friend. I voted OBA and I’m not going to say anything bad about the man, but hey he’s not the real Captain on this ship.
Evidence? Or have you taken the bait, too?
No, he didn’t come up with the idea. It’s commonplace in many places throughout the world. We would just be copying a practice that works well in other places.
Selling our birthright to the highest bidder…. this will not end well.
what does “Birthright” mean?
does it mean if you are born in Bermuda you should gain citizenship?
The commercial immigrants can replace those of us who have to leave because we can no longer afford to live here
Look’s like thats the idea.
Yep, and when that happens and we lose the diversity, and the uniqueness that is Bermuda, Bermuda will be nasty place to live let alone visit. Shades of former South Africa…
That is a disgusting thing to say. Shame on you.
I hope all true Bermudians will make their voices heard – we will not sell our country to the highest bidder!
can’t was sold a few years ago under your noses.
What is a true Bermudian? For that matter, what is a pretend Bermudian?
One only has to look around at what other small jurisdictions are doing to stay alive to see that this should be looked at and considered carefully. My only negative comment is that we are woefully late to the table.
Very true, we are late to this game and thus are going to have to price ourselves in line with islands to the south. They offer a year round climate, better attitudes toward foreigners and less red tape. We can’t go into this expecting to get a million or so when St. Kitts is doing it for under 500k and property. Our product doesn’t merrit a fee higher than anyone else. We just aren’t that special anymore.
To 21 Blackjack – I addressed my communication to all TRUE Bermudians which obviously you are not.
Define “TRUE Bermudian”, please…
I think I can guess.
Senator Fahy, every time you come up with a NEW initiative I have to sit back and brace myself…
Honestly, you do not impress me nor do I impress you, but I am a very frank individual, there is always a hook and line at the end of your initiatives, and it’s transparently in the OBA camp not the Government of the day.
So, first initiative that I note. Job creation recently legislated…How many Bermudians have been employed to date from your NEW initiative? Since close of 2013 at 31st December? Not a projection, an HONEST count, Senator Fahy?
Second initiative that I note, which came out of London via the premier of Bermuda with NO credit being given to the individual whose intellectual property was pirated. An OBA announced initiative by you and the silent premier on international internships, Senator Fahy?
Now this initiative, well spelt out in very rational form, designed to garner support as it will give us the ‘milky way’ to job growth and economic prosperity. Or, is it a way to reward an OBA supporter who have done so much for the political party? Take on the initiative that will see their investment take off the ground?
As I said in my opening comment, I brace myself for your initiatives, Senator Fahy…
London, England
Yes. A count of how many jobs were created over the past 5 or 6 business days WOULD give us a good idea as to whether the legislation is working or not…
riiiight.
Oy.
Have you noted when the legislation came on the books? It certainly did not come into effect 5 or 6 days ago, so your response makes no sense to me. I have NO idea what you comment refers to, but my comment refers to giving us numbers employed since the legislation came into effect up to 31st December 2013.
I just want numbers, of those employed as a result of this new initiative not excuses, not sarcasm or any attempt to change my question into some long pointless debate.
Numbers would be transparent and accountable from Senator Fahy, or are transparency and accountability not a pledge by this government to the people of Bermuda?
London, England
“How many Bermudians have been employed to date from your NEW initiative? Since close of 2013 at 31st December? Not a projection, an HONEST count, Senator Fahy?”
Your words.
And if you want numbers and an answer from Mr. Fahy, why not ask him directly?
You aren’t seriously expecting an answer from him here, are you?
Yes, Mr Hinds, why not?
It is a public forum and the government minister placed his proposed iniative in the public domain via the press and their blogs.
Contrary to what you may believe, ministers do response on blogs or have their iniatives explained to the public via blogs. The world of social media has made the public more accessible to government ministers and vice versa.
A minister who uses the blogs very effectively is Michael Dunkley, he will take the iniative (of a slightly different kind) to correct any ambiguities or misinterpretations to his proposed polices and/or agenda; direct, accessible and transparent.
Good night, Mr Hinds.
London, England
Hind. Reading is essential.
And please go to. Just don’t expect a response.
Just sayin’… You might have better luck getting a response if you email him directly.
I think that you have missed the mark of emotional intelligence, it requires forethought, tolerance and the appreciation to accept opinions that you may not agree with but are willing to eliminate pedantry in response.
If I criticised everyone who misspelt my name, I would have dug my way to China. I put more value in the substance of an argument, than my spelling Mr HIND, but than I am dyslexic, so let me apologise now if I fail to remember the spelling once I have completed this commentary.
In other words, save your comments to make a valuable point, not a pointless argument. And at this conjuncture, I shall take my own advice…
London, England