Premier Burt Conducts Meetings In The UK

September 4, 2024 | 0 Comments

Premier and Minister of Finance David Burt “had a brisk day of activities on behalf of Bermuda, which included engagement with the UK Foreign Secretary the Rt. Hon. David Lammy,” the government said.

A Government spokesperson said, “The public will note that the Premier is currently overseas for a series of key meetings and events in the UK and Europe aimed at fostering relationships and highlighting Bermuda’s significance as a global business jurisdiction.

“Today’s activities included engagement with Minister Lammy; a visit with the Lord Mayor of the City of London, the Hon. Michael Minelli; and media engagement with the Financial Times — where the Premier touted Bermuda’s stellar business reputation and the island’s continued leadership as the world’s risk capital.

The Premier said, “This evening I had the immense pleasure of engaging with the UK Foreign Secretary, the Rt. Hon. David Lammy at an event hosted by the UK Foreign Secretary & Commonwealth Secretary General. This was my first opportunity to meet with the Minister since the new Labour Government.

“Minister Lammy spoke fondly of Bermuda, and we committed to ensuring a continued strong partnership between Bermuda and the UK. I look forward to further engagement and meaningful cooperation at the upcoming Joint Ministerial Council in November.”

Also, during this evening’s event, the Premier had the opportunity to chat with Baroness Scotland, the Commonwealth Secretary General.

Premier Burt continued, “Earlier in the day I was welcomed into Mansion House to meet with the Lord Mayor of the City of London ahead of his upcoming visit to Bermuda. We discussed Bermuda’s critical role in driving climate finance innovation through our [re]insurance industry. I look forward to the Lord Mayor’s visit to Bermuda as we continue to strengthen the ties with the City of London which supports growth in our [re]insurance industry and creates jobs and opportunities that benefit Bermudians.”

The spokesperson added, “Tomorrow [Sept. 5], the Premier will travel to Brussels where he will participate in several events on behalf of the Ministry of Finance.

“The Premier and Minister of Finance will hold key meetings with European Commission officials, meet with the UK Mission to the European Union [EU] Ambassador, Lindsay Croisedale-Appleby, and with members of the European Union [EU] Code of Conduct Group. The Premier will also attend the ABIR Annual International Insurance Regulatory Dialogue events, where he will participate in a Sea-Side Chat with Stephen Catlin, Executive Chairman of Convex.

“Additionally, the Premier will jointly host the opening reception to the Regulatory Dialogue with ABIR, during which the five-year anniversary of the Bermuda Government’s Brussels Office will be observed.

“Following Brussels, the Premier will travel to Paris for meetings with OECD officials and then to Ireland, where he will hold meetings with the Irish Minister of Finance and the Lord Mayor of Dublin.

“The Premier is supported on this visit by the Financial Secretary, Chidozie Ofoego; Kenneth Joaquin, Registrar of Companies; Kimberley Durrant, Director Bermuda Government’s London Office and Aliyyah Ahad, Head of European Affairs & Policy, Brussels Office.”

The Premier shared, “Overall, our message is aimed at reminding our partners of the importance of Bermuda’s role in global insurance and reinsurance markets and highlighting our strong commitment to compliance with international standards, cooperation and transparency. We are very excited about this opportunity and seek to build and foster new relationships and strengthen and enhance existing ones in the region.”

Premier Burt and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy