Covid-19 Economic Advisory Committee Named
Minister of Finance Curtis Dickinson announced the members of the Government’s new Covid-19 Economic Advisory Committee, which is “comprised of a diverse group of 11 local and global, business and community leaders.”
Chair:
The Honorable Curtis L. Dickinson, JP, MP
Minister of Finance
Members Appointed by the Minister of Finance:
- Ms. Teresa Chatfield, Owner/Director, MEF Bermuda;
- Mr. Dennis Fagundo, Co-Managing Director, D&J Construction and President, Chamber of Commerce;
- Mr. Chris Furbert, President, Bermuda Industrial Union;
- The Honorable Patricia J. Gordon-Pamplin, JP, MP, Shadow Minister of Finance & Health;
- Mr. Marc Grandisson, President & Chief Executive Officer, Arch Capital Group Ltd and Deputy Chair, Association of Bermuda Insurers & Reinsurers [ABIR];
- Ms. Cheryl-Ann Lister, Chair, Bermuda National Anti-Money Laundering Committee;
- Mr. Michael Neff, Managing Director, Bermuda & International Wealth, Butterfield Group;
- Ms. Sylvia Oliveira, Chief Executive Officer, Wilton Re Bermuda and Chairman, Bermuda International Long Term Insurers & Reinsurers;
- Mr. Denis Pitcher, Chief Fintech Advisor, Government of Bermuda;
- Mr. Patrick Tannock, Managing Director, AXA XL and Chair, Association of Bermuda International Companies [ABIC]; and
- Mr. Stephen Weinstein, Chief Legal Officer, RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd and Deputy Chair, Bermuda Business Development Agency.
Committee Support:
Bermuda Government Liaison to the Committee:
Ms. Tina Tucker
Principal Coordinator of the Committee
Mitchell Klink, E&Y
Secretariat
Association of Bermuda Insurers & Reinsurers [ABIR]
The Ministry said, “Charged with delivering bold ideas that will shape Bermuda’s future, the Committee will make recommendations to the Minister of Finance for a comprehensive plan to protect jobs and stimulate economic activity over the short, medium and long term.”
“I want to give reassurance to Bermudians and to Bermudian businesses that I will work hand in glove with the Economic Advisory Committee to ensure that the future of Bermuda will be bright,” said Minister Dickinson.
“We understand and empathize with the problems that Bermudians and Bermuda’s businesses are going through. We stand by you and we will help you and this committee is about doing just that – to rejuvenate our economy to benefit our people, their children and their children’s children.
“The COVID-19 crisis has brought heartbreak to our community, but it also brings an important opportunity to come together and to use our diversity to think differently.
“The Government welcomes the involvement of these 11 individuals who are all deeply committed to Bermuda’s economic recovery. These are all leaders in their fields and I look forward to working with them.”
“The Committee will meet weekly to agree their remit as set out in the Committee’s Terms of Reference which includes:
- “Seeking ideas from a broad cross section of Bermuda’s community and from all sectors of the economy.
- “Recommending policies that promote growth, create jobs and improve the long-term prosperity of the Island.
- “Providing analysis and information to improve the operations, regulations and healthy functioning of the economy.
- “Appointing subcommittees, as needed, to make recommendations for review by the Committee, on tourism and hospitality; technology and infrastructure; financial services; retail and services; social services and healthcare; development and construction. Subcommittees would comprise members of government, business owners, industry associations and individual stakeholders.
- “Proposing changes to Government and Government corporate bodies, and agencies.”
As the island and world deals with the Covid-19 pandemic, we are doing our best to provide timely and accurate information, and you can find more information on the links below.
- Live: Our continuously updated live blog here
- All: Our coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic here
- Official: The Bermuda Government website here
- World Stats: Live graph of all cases worldwide here
- Bermuda Stats: Chart of the Bermuda stats here
- Timeline: Visual look at the timeline here
- Comprehensive: Our new Covid-19 website here
I feel very sorry for the members who have formed this Committee. Nothing they suggest or recommend will get through the myopic Cabinet. Cabinet will not approve anything that may upset the status quo.
Chris Furbert? He is the last person that should have a spot of such an important committee. This is our future we’re talking about. The man isn’t able to help fix a bus schedule after 17 years and millions of dollars. He needs to be removed and yesterday at that. There are some very impressive names in the group so why diminish and dilute all their efforts by bringing in CF.
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I see Furburt is in there to ensure that nothing gets done, it’s just lip service for everyone who didn’t vote PLP.
Anti money laundering committee? I thought that was BMA’s job!??
“Charged with delivering bold ideas…” here’s one: OPEN THE AIRPORT!
July 1st, ships return!
Get it done! Now!
They said bold bee ideas….not stupid onea
Great! Another committee to make recommendations that the government will ignore.
I believe that Curtis Dickinson is earnestly trying to effect economic change and this crises might just be the thing the PLP needs to effect real change and explain to its voters why this change is not the sell out it would be if offered by any other party.
I hope I am right in this.
Mr Finance Minister. May I suggest 12 major changes. On 2 members of the general public in
place of C Furbert. Unless you want a road block at every meeting and 2nd use former Premier Sir John Swan as an advisor to the committeee. His wealth of expertise and sound knowledge is in valuable.
On the whole a good cross section and knowledgeable set of persons less CF would be better, however are you the GOVT going to listen and act on recommendations out of this committee or will it be as many past committees just a token listen to but not act upon suggestions . The time to play is over listen and act and get us out of this mess ( agree not of the Govts doing ) we need to try everything even if its allowing outside Bda influences e.g let franchises in IF it will stimulate the economy to the good.