06/11/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/11/2021 15:05
New Ministry an 'Engine to Propel Cayman Forward', says Hon. Minister for Investment, Innovation & Social Development
The new Ministry for Investment, Innovation & Social Development (MIISD) is a Government Ministry entrusted to set and drive the Cayman Islands' investment, innovation and social agenda within the broader governance structure of the Cayman Islands Government.
MIISD will play a critical role in supporting Government by developing strategic initiatives, creating new legislation and policy, and undertaking robust reform to delivery of Government services, across three distinct yet intricately linked pillars of investment, innovation and social development.
On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 9th-11th June, the Ministry hosted three full day strategic planning sessions.
The Hon. Minister André Ebanks, Chief Officer Eric Bush, Deputy Chief Officer Andrea Fa'amoe, and Ministry staff attended all three days, while individual departments and units attended on their own thematic days (see notes below).
The offsite strategy planning sessions were facilitated by EY Cayman partners and staff, and took place in the firm's new wavespaceâ„¢ in Camana Bay. wavespace is a collaborative, digitally-driven experience that enables teams to identify and align priorities, discover synergies, and tackle challenges.
Minister Ebanks participated in all three days and outlined Government's vision for the Ministry, stating:
'The three intricately linked pillars of the new Ministry of Investment, Innovation and Social Development provide a real opportunity to enable all segments of society to benefit from prosperity and economic growth, which is globally competitive and diverse, and driven by tangible improvements. This Ministry has the potential to be a powerful engine that can propel the country forward.
'A key component of delivering on this vision will be to ensure that the Ministry, its departments and units are aligned in benefitting and empowering all people in the Cayman Islands. It is imperative that we support and uplift Cayman's most vulnerable people as well as Government's assistance entities as a top priority. The Ministry's 'social development' remit will benefit immensely from meaningful, measurable reforms that result from being adjacent to both investment and innovation.
'I applaud all who participated in these strategy sessions, from both the Ministry teams and from EY Cayman, with such palpable inspiration and enthusiasm for their individual subject areas -- and taking stock of the bigger picture as to how these subject areas fit and can reimagine life for many. I look forward to working with each of them to deliver on our ambitious plans for the benefit of everyone in the Cayman Islands.'
Chief Officer Bush expressed his gratitude to EY Cayman for hosting and facilitating the sessions, and to the 60 people who participated across the three days:
'On behalf of the Ministry, we are delighted to be the first in-person participants at the EY wavespace in Cayman, and grateful for the significant investment of time, effort and resources by the EY Cayman team through the government's highly competitive procurement process. This collaboration is a testament to the forward-looking vision and mission of the Ministry of Investment, Innovation and Social Development and the mindset and work ethic with which we will deliver on Government's strategic priorities in the next four years.'
The Ministry of Investment, Innovation and Social Development's strategic sessions covered:
The Ministry of Investment, Innovation and Social Development, its departments and units will develop and deliver strategic policies and initiatives within its three pillars, in line with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals:
ENDS