Chamber On Disputes, Economy & More
“We believe that public disputes do little to foster community confidence, do not encourage meaningful collaboration, and are counterproductive to the kind of problem-solving our member businesses urgently need,” the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce said.
A spokesperson said, “The Bermuda Chamber of Commerce offers the following as its final public remarks on this matter. We believe that public disputes do little to foster community confidence, do not encourage meaningful collaboration, and are counterproductive to the kind of problem-solving our member businesses urgently need.
“Today’s Chamber represents close to 700 member businesses across every major sector of Bermuda’s economy. These include taxi operators, restaurants and food services, hotel operators, personal care and beauty services, construction companies, retailers, small businesses, Harbour Nights vendors, insurers, and international businesses. Our members actively engage in government working groups, providing feedback on a range of policy matters to ensure the voice of Bermuda’s industry is heard. Support for the Chamber is both strong and growing.
“It is therefore regrettable that the Minister of Economy and Labour has suggested that the Chamber has not been engaged on economic matters or has failed to collaborate. This assertion does not reflect our track record, nor the many engagements we have had across multiple ministries.
“The Chamber has consistently worked with the Government on a wide range of economic issues, including:
- Commissioning the Queen’s/Cornell study on economic opportunities for Bermuda
- Contributing to work permit reform and immigration policy
- Providing input on the progressive payroll tax scheme
- Maintaining ongoing dialogue with the Department of Workforce Development and Ministry of Labour on hospitality and nightlife strategies
- Leading the “Bermuda Breeze” initiative through our East End division, in collaboration with the Ministries of Transport and Tourism
- Leading the Harbour Nights initiative each year with the support of the Bermuda Government, City of Hamilton, and the Bermuda Tourism Authority
- Participating in pre-budget briefings, post-budget responses, and formal submissions on economic strategy
- Holding regular quarterly meetings with the Ministry of Finance and relevant ministers [recently reinitiated]
“While this collaboration may not always be public or headline-grabbing, it has been consistent, deliberate, and focused on tangible improvements.
“We remain committed to strengthening this engagement. Just last week, we proposed several practical enhancements, including structured roundtables, designated government liaisons, and improved data sharing. These are not symbolic gestures-they are actionable steps toward better collaboration.
“The Chamber is focused on solutions, not sides. We reaffirm our commitment to constructive dialogue and inclusive economic progress. As always, our door remains open.”
