Premier Meets With Business Leaders In Miami
Mutual investment, business, and job-growth opportunities shared by Bermuda and Florida were the focus of talks held in Miami yesterday [Oct 17] by Premier David Burt and members of city and statewide chambers of commerce.
The meetings with leaders of the Florida and Miami-Dade Chambers of Commerce were organised by the Bermuda Business Development Agency [BDA] ahead of its day-long Bermuda Executive Forum in the city today. Topics discussed ranged from reinsurance, sea-level rise, sustainable energy and healthcare, to construction, shipping and fintech.
“When we’re focused on economic diversification and investment in Bermuda, it’s valuable to have these types of discussions with chambers of commerce, and today’s meetings were very beneficial,” said Premier Burt, who was accompanied by BDA CEO Sean Moran, Junior Minister of Finance Wayne Furbert, and National Security Minister Wayne Caines.
Board members and CEO of the Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce met with Premier David Burt and Bermuda’s delegation in Miami
“Miami is a gateway city to Latin America, with a rapidly expanding economy, so we need to look at how we can do more business with Florida as it continues to grow,” the Premier added.
“Both chambers are interested in continuing the dialogue and in sending delegations to visit us, which is good to hear. We need to attract more people to Bermuda to see the opportunities available, and hopefully attract economic growth.”
Bermuda’s significant role in helping the state’s communities recover from catastrophic storms was highlighted in the Premier’s conversation with Mark Wilson, President & CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, the state’s largest business-advocacy organisation, which has been dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Michael’s devastation throughout Florida’s coastal panhandle communities over the past week.
“Bermuda and Florida are natural partners, and reinsurance is a perfect example of that,” said Mr Wilson, whose chamber counts 135,000 member businesses, helping drive the state’s trillion-dollar economy.
“If you think about the world’s insurance risk, about a third of it is in Florida. We would be in trouble were it not for reinsurance companies in Bermuda being partners with us. Bermuda reinsurers are very much a part of Florida’s economy.”
Premier Burt and BDA CEO Sean Moran met with Florida Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Mark Wilson in Miami
Mr Wilson said other industries also offered opportunities for Bermuda and Florida to explore.
“I was very impressed with today’s meeting, and with what the Premier talked about in terms of economic synergies between Bermuda and Florida,” he said.
“Construction, energy, healthcare, financial connections, workforce development and training. As follow-up, we agreed to do some trade missions, where we would bring business leaders and investors to Bermuda, and then maybe in a year or two, we do the same thing with Bermuda executives back here.”
The Bermuda delegation also held a fruitful meeting with board members of the Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce, which supports black businesses throughout south Florida. The group discussed economic diversification, including hydroponics, sustainable energy, and blockchain businesses such eco-tech, as well as construction, and training, re-skilling and education.
“This has been a tremendous opportunity having a dialogue with the Premier and Cabinet members,” said Eric Knowles, Miami-Dade Chamber’s President & CEO. “We look forward to future opportunities to work with your businesses, and for businesses here to engage in trans-Atlantic trade.”
Added Miami-Dade Chair Wayne Davis: “It was great to dialogue and see what the needs are. We have some strong synergies we can bring together to support each other’s business communities, and I’m personally looking forward to coming to Bermuda to examine the opportunity that exists. We’re proud to be part of this discussion and look forward to growing the relationship.”
The meetings were the latest in a series the BDA has organised over the past year to connect Bermuda government representatives with civic and business leaders in Florida. Last December, the agency arranged meetings with the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, as well as with Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, who joins the Premier for a “seaside chat” at tomorrow’s forum.
“These connections are valuable, and they begin the process of creating real business development opportunities,” said BDA Interim CEO Sean Moran.
“The BDA’s mission is to foster an environment for our island’s economic growth, and today’s discussions certainly set a foundation to achieve that goal. By exploring ways we can partner with onshore business associations and communities with common interests, we help create a win-win environment for all involved.”
More than 50 industry representatives will join Bermuda government and regulatory leaders tomorrow in the forum at the InterContinental Miami.
Presentations and panel discussions will highlight investment and business opportunities available in Bermuda, while underscoring the island’s synergies with Florida. Bacardi and the Bermuda Tourism Authority [BTA] have partnered with the BDA on the event’s networking reception.
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and ?
any results , obviously not !
Hopefully Cap’n Crunch doesn’t embarrass us this time.
Wayne Caines looking for more Titty Milk.
Look at the picture of the meeting above. The third one down. Caines
is looking at his fikkin iphone. In a meeting. While being photographed.
Why do we let him out? He makes Bermuda look like a bunch of amateurs.
He makes Bermuda look like a bunch of amateurs…
……they are dammit!
He was ordering his titty milk !
Look at the first picture is someone taking a penalty ?
Wayne C was sending video and Wayne F was wondering what was going on and when were they going to serve lunch.
WE are DOOMED!
Another trip! Are these trips(business meetings)worth it? Are they going to help this struggling enconomy? Has any of these trips (business meeting) he’s had helped Bermuda as yet? They pose in these pictures.. what to show us that you are trying to help Bermuda but are they really?
It doesn’t matter how much you OBA clowns criticize. You are the opposition and you will never be the Government again. Bermudians can see right through you. So have your fun. Bunch of losers.
Tick tock tick tock… time is running out
Meanwhile, back at the ranch…..
WHOOPEE! We are off on another junket paid for by the taxpayers. Well done voters. This is what you voted for.
They do look increasingly comical don’t they?
It would be funny if they weren’t in charge of the economy.
Only thing looking funny now are the majority voters that got deceived again.
Who got deceived? OBA deserve to be the opposition. They are still confused and disorganized.. they have nothing for Bermudians. Look at all the money they wasted on unnecessary lawsuits. Money being spent for the next 30 years or more for a large airport that operates in the day and no over night flights. They have no use for seniors. Bermudians, keep these jokers in the opposition.