Chamber Announces 2020 Economic Forum Agenda and Speakers

The 3rd Annual Chamber of Commerce, Economic Forum in partnership with the Ministry of Finance & Economic Development has announced its full line up of speakers and panelists.

The forum will take place Friday, August 14, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Due to the current social distancing restrictions it will be hosted on a digital platform while promising the same insightful content from industry and government leaders as in previous years.

“This year's theme is ‘Rebuilding a better Cayman', with our speakers tackling the effects that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the local and regional economies and how the private and public sectors can work together to create a secure and sustainable future for the Cayman Islands,” said Wil Pineau, Chamber, CEO.

The keynote address 'The COVID-19 recovery - what is the outlook for the region?' will be delivered by Marla Dukharan, a leading economist and advisor on the Caribbean, known for her insightful and frequent analysis of the regional implications of international events. Marla Dukharan will be joined by the Hon. Roy McTaggart, Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Paul Byles, Economist and Director of FTS and Michael Gibbs, President of Kensington Management Group and Chamber Incoming President for a panel discussion following her presentation.

The Hon. Roy McTaggart, Minister for Finance and Economic Development, will deliver an address on ‘The State of Government Finances' followed by a 'Chamber Chat' with Woody Foster, Chamber President.

The Hon. Joey Hew, Minister for Commerce, Planning and Infrastructure, will present 'Cayman 2.0: What will drive our economy in the future?', which will be followed by a panel discussion and audience Q&A with Minister Hew, Charles Kirkconnell, CEO of Cayman Enterprise City, Mike Mannisto, Partner of Financial Services at Ernst and Young Ltd, Shomari Scott, Chief Business Officer of Health City and Matthew Wight, Managing Director of NCB Group.

The Hon. Tara Rivers, Minister of Financial Services and Home Affairs will deliver the presentation 'Financial Services - Opportunities for Growth'. She will be joined on a panel discussion by Michelle Bahadur, Director of the Department of Financial Services Policy and Legislation, Petri Basson, Director, IT Advisory at KPMG and Chairman of the Blockchain Association of the Cayman Islands, James Bergstrom, Partner at Ogier and Conor O’Dea, Chairman of Cayman Finance.

The Hon. Moses Kirkconnell Deputy Premier and Minister of District Administration, Tourism and Transport will present ‘RB5- The Road Back to 500k Air Arrivals’. Minister Kirkconnell will also take part in a panel discussion with Rosa Harris, Director of Tourism, Marc Langevin, General Manager of the Ritz Carlton, Grand Cayman and Theresa Leacock-Broderick, President of the Cayman Islands Tourism Association.

Two presentations will focus on the ‘Green Economy’. James Whittaker, Founder of GreenTech Group Ltd and President of the Cayman Islands Renewable Energy Association will present ‘The Green Economy - Creating clean jobs for a sustainable future’, while Sacha Tibbetts, VP Customer Service & Technology at Caribbean Utilities Company will share ‘CUC's plan for 60% CO2 reduction by 2030’.

Both presenters will take part in the subsequent interactive panel discussion and audience Q&A along with Malike Cummings, Chief Executive Officer of OfReg and Gina Ebanks-Petrie, Director of the Cayman Islands Department of Environment.

Jackie Doak, President of Business Development at DART, will moderate the panel ‘Preparing for the New Normal’.

Tickets can be purchased at the Chamber of Commerce website. Corporate bundle packages are also available to organisations registering ten or more attendees.

The Chamber of Commerce Economic In partnership with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, is made possible thanks to sponsors, CUC, Dart, Kensington Management Group, Ogier, Cayman Enterprise City, Walkers and Hurley’s Media.

For further information or media enquiries, please contact Tonie Chisholm at Tonie@tower.com.ky.

About the Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce

The Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce represents more than 500 businesses and associations across all industry sectors in the Cayman Islands. Its members employ over 18,000 persons. The Chamber supports, promotes and protects the interests of its members and the public welfare, and serves as a catalyst for positive change, connecting community, business and government.