AGP Executive Report

Cayman Airways: The national carrier has won Caribbean’s Leading Airline at its first nomination and is also in the running for a global title. Regional Security: Five Cayman Islands Regiment personnel have deployed to Antigua and Barbuda to help prepare for next month’s Commonwealth summit, supporting logistics and event security alongside regional forces. Public Finance: Government is seeking a CI$236 million loan facility for its approved capital programme; the Finance Committee has also approved CI$44.9 million for healthcare and community support. Financial Oversight: CIMA’s AML and sanctions rules make previously guidance-based requirements enforceable for regulated funds, including annual training for governing-body members and periodic independent audits.

Regional Security: Cayman Islands Regiment personnel have deployed to Antigua and Barbuda to support preparations for next month’s Commonwealth summit, beginning with logistics before assisting with operations. Government Borrowing: Government has issued a request for proposals for a CI$236 million loan facility to fund capital projects already approved in the 2026–27 Budget; Finance Minister Rolston Anglin says funds will be drawn as needed to manage interest costs. Plant Protection: New plant-health legislation takes effect on 1 November, and the Department of Agriculture is holding stakeholder briefings ahead of its rollout. Financial Regulation: CIMA’s AML and sanctions rules make several existing requirements enforceable, including annual AML training for fund governing-body members and independent audits of compliance programmes.

Public Finance: Government has invited bids for a CI$236 million loan facility to fund its Parliament-approved 2026–27 capital programme. The borrowing was already authorised, and funds will be drawn as needed to manage interest costs. Financial Regulation: New CIMA anti-money-laundering and sanctions rules make some guidance enforceable for regulated funds, require annual training for governing-body members and set clearer audit and compliance expectations. Biosecurity: The Plant Protection Act and new regulations take effect on 1 November; Agriculture is holding stakeholder briefings on the updated import and plant-health framework. Budget Oversight: The Finance Committee approved CI$44.9 million for healthcare and community support, while the Government’s expected year-end surplus is now CI$26.6 million. Regional Engagement: Cayman hosted the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force’s 18th Council of Ministers meeting, and the Premier is set to promote the Islands’ financial services sector in New York and Toronto.

Public Finance: Government is seeking proposals for a CI$236 million loan facility to fund Parliament’s approved 2026–27 capital programme. Finance Minister Rolston Anglin said the borrowing is already authorised and funds will be drawn as needed to manage interest costs. Plant Protection: New plant health legislation is set to take effect on 1 November. The Department of Agriculture is holding stakeholder meetings ahead of the change, which updates rules for trading plants and plant products and strengthens biosecurity. Financial Regulation: CIMA’s new anti-money-laundering and sanctions rules make some existing guidance directly enforceable for regulated funds. Fund governing-body members must receive annual AML training, and compliance programmes must be independently audited at appropriate intervals. Business Licensing: Tobacco retailers and other licensees must renew their certificates by 1 November; late applications will incur additional fees.

Public Borrowing: Government has issued a request for proposals for a CI$236 million, 15-year loan facility to fund capital projects approved in the 2026–27 Budget. Finance Minister Rolston Anglin said the money would be drawn down as needed to manage interest costs; the borrowing was already authorised by Parliament. Plant Protection: The Department of Agriculture will hold stakeholder briefings before updated plant-protection laws take effect on November 1, strengthening safeguards against pests and diseases and setting new rules for plant imports. Financial Oversight: Cayman hosted the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force’s Council of Ministers meeting, as the islands prepare for a FATF assessment in December 2027. Economic Diversification: Cayman Enterprise City says 500 businesses now operate in its Special Economic Zone. Premier André Ebanks said the growth should create more opportunities for Caymanians, including high-value careers and support for local businesses.

Public Finance: Government is seeking proposals for a CI$236 million, 15-year loan facility to fund Parliament-approved capital projects in 2026 and 2027. Finance Minister Rolston Anglin said funds will be drawn down as needed to limit interest costs; the borrowing was already authorised in the Budget. Financial Oversight: Cayman hosted the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force’s Council of Ministers meeting as it prepares for its own assessment in December 2027. Premier André Ebanks said the discussions offered timely lessons ahead of the evaluation. Economic Strategy: Ebanks is meeting reinsurance, banking and investment leaders in New York and Toronto to promote Cayman’s financial services sector. Separately, Cayman Enterprise City says its Special Economic Zone has reached 500 businesses, with Government stressing the need for local jobs and opportunities. New Rules: The Plant Protection Act and regulations are set to take effect on 1 November, with stakeholder briefings planned before implementation.

Financial Services Outreach: Premier André Ebanks is in New York and Toronto through October 16, meeting reinsurance, investment and banking leaders and promoting Cayman’s financial services sector. Planning Rules: Planning Minister Jay Ebanks amended his bill after criticism: Parliament will retain a vote on most planning-rule changes, while the proposed exemption is limited to building codes. The bill would also let Cabinet waive planning fees. Regional Standards: Cayman hosted the CFATF Council of Ministers, as the territory prepares for its own anti-money-laundering assessment in December 2027. Public Finances: The Government’s expected year-end surplus is now CI$26.6 million; separately, Finance Committee approved CI$44.9 million for healthcare and community support. Parliament: Cayman’s first female Deputy Governor took her seat in Parliament, while lawmakers passed tobacco and health-practice amendments and advanced eight other bills.

Financial Oversight: Cayman hosted the CFATF’s 18th Council of Ministers Meeting as it prepares for a regional assessment in December 2027. Premier André Ebanks said the discussions offered timely guidance ahead of the Islands’ review. International Outreach: Ebanks is in New York and Toronto this week to meet reinsurance, investment and banking leaders and promote Cayman’s financial services sector. Public Spending: Parliament’s Finance Committee approved nearly CI$44.95 million in extra 2026 funding, including CI$27.1 million for healthcare and support for uninsured patients. The approval allows spending; it does not mean the money has been spent. Planning Rules: Minister Jay Ebanks reversed course on proposed changes, saying Parliament will retain voting oversight of planning rules, except building codes. The bill also allows Cabinet to waive planning fees. Welfare Pressures: Government faces rising demand for family assistance, as its expected year-end surplus is now CI$26.6 million.

Financial Crime Rules: Cayman hosted CFATF ministers and regional officials to discuss anti-money-laundering standards as the territory prepares for its own evaluation in December 2027. Planning Oversight: Planning Minister Jay Ebanks reversed course on removing Parliament’s vote on rule changes, limiting the exemption to building codes; the bill also gives Cabinet power to waive planning fees, with the circumstances not clearly specified. International Outreach: Premier André Ebanks is in New York and Toronto from 13 to 16 October to meet reinsurance, investment and banking leaders and promote Cayman’s financial services sector. Public Spending: Finance Committee approved nearly CI$45 million in extra 2026 funding, mostly for healthcare and community support. The government still expects a CI$26.6 million year-end surplus, above its original forecast.

Planning Rules: Minister Jay Ebanks has reversed course: MPs will still vote on most changes to planning regulations, with the exception of building codes. Amendments would also let Cabinet waive planning fees. Public Finances: Parliament’s Finance Committee approved nearly CI$44.95 million in supplementary spending, largely for healthcare and community support. The government now expects a CI$26.6 million year-end surplus, above its original forecast. Financial Services: Premier André Ebanks is in New York and Toronto from 13 to 16 October to meet industry leaders and promote Cayman’s reinsurance and investment sectors. Welfare: Government is seeking more money for financial assistance as the programme’s costs rise, prompting calls for better monitoring of its long-term impact. Historic First: Deputy Governor Gloria McField-Nixon took her seat in Parliament as the Cayman Islands’ first woman to hold the office.

Public Spending: Parliament’s Finance Committee approved nearly CI$44.95 million in supplementary funding, mostly for healthcare and community support. The government still expects a CI$26.6 million year-end surplus, despite adding almost CI$180 million to the 2026 budget. Sovereign Wealth Fund: MPs unanimously backed the idea of a fund for Cayman’s benefit, but no launch date is set; research, public consultation and governance planning are still ahead. Government Leadership: Gloria McField-Nixon took her seat in Parliament as the Cayman Islands’ first female Deputy Governor. Financial Assistance: The programme’s budget is nearing CI$50 million, supporting about 3,000 people. The government is also looking at how to assess its long-term impact. Mosquito Control: The MRCU received nearly CI$3.7 million for a second replacement aircraft and more larvicide amid high mosquito numbers and ageing planes. New Currency: Cayman’s 2026 coins, bearing King Charles III’s portrait, are due to enter circulation next week; Queen Elizabeth II coins will remain legal tender.

Parliament: Cayman’s first female Deputy Governor, Gloria McField-Nixon, took her seat in the chamber, welcomed across party lines. MPs also unanimously backed the idea of a sovereign wealth fund, with research and public consultation still to come and no launch date set. Public Spending: Finance Committee approved nearly CI$45 million in extra 2026 spending. The year-end surplus is now forecast at CI$26.6 million—about CI$16.6 million above the original estimate—while the opposition questioned repeated budget increases. Social Support: Social Development Minister Isaac Rankine is seeking more welfare funding as annual assistance spending approaches CI$50 million; the government says it needs better ways to track the programme’s long-term impact. Financial Oversight: Cayman has entered the assessment phase of its fifth CFATF review, with an on-site visit expected late next year. Mosquito Control: Government approved nearly CI$3.7 million for a second replacement aircraft and additional larvicide as the unit faces ageing planes and high mosquito numbers.

Public Finances: Finance Committee approved nearly CI$45 million in extra 2026 spending. The year-end surplus is now projected at CI$26.6 million—CI$16.6 million above the original forecast—even as the budget has grown by almost CI$180 million. Welfare: Government is seeking more funding for assistance, with the programme’s annual budget approaching CI$50 million for about 3,000 people. A review is planned to assess its long-term impact. Sovereign Wealth Fund: Parliament unanimously backed the proposal in principle, with research, public consultation and an advisory committee to come; there is no implementation date yet. Historic Appointment: Deputy Governor Gloria McField-Nixon became the first woman in the role to take her seat in Parliament. Financial Oversight: Cayman has entered the assessment phase of its CFATF review, with assessors due on site late next year.

Public Finances: Government’s projected year-end surplus has risen to CI$26.6 million, but Finance Committee approved nearly CI$45 million in extra spending, adding to a budget already increased by almost CI$180 million. Social Support: Ministers are seeking more welfare funding as financial assistance approaches CI$50 million a year, with calls to better assess the programme’s impact on families. Sovereign Wealth Fund: Parliament unanimously backed the proposal in principle, with research, public consultation and an advisory committee still to come. Historic Appointment: Gloria McField-Nixon took her seat as the Cayman Islands’ first female Deputy Governor, drawing cross-party praise. Financial Oversight: Cayman has entered the assessment phase of its CFATF review, with an on-site visit expected at the end of next year. Public Health: Parliament passed tobacco amendments aimed at curbing youth vaping, including a ban on disposable vapes that will take effect after a six-month lead-in.

Public Finances: Government expects a CI$26.6 million year-end surplus, CI$16.6 million above forecast, despite Finance Committee approving nearly CI$45 million in extra spending. The 2026 budget has now grown by almost CI$180 million, drawing questions about the accuracy of its forecasts. Public Services: Cabinet approved nearly CI$3.7 million for two replacement mosquito-control planes and larvicide as ageing aircraft and high mosquito numbers strain operations. Social Assistance: The welfare budget is nearing CI$50 million to support about 3,000 people. Minister Isaac Rankine is seeking more funding and better ways to track the programme’s impact. Parliament: Members unanimously backed establishing a sovereign wealth fund in principle, with research and public consultation still to come. Parliament also welcomed Gloria McField-Nixon as the Cayman Islands’ first female Deputy Governor. Financial Oversight: Cayman has entered the assessment phase of its fifth CFATF mutual evaluation, with assessors due on island next year to review how effectively the jurisdiction tackles financial crime.

Public Finances: Finance Committee approved nearly CI$45 million in extra 2026 spending. The government still expects a CI$26.6 million year-end surplus, CI$16.6 million above forecast, though the budget has grown by almost CI$180 million. Mosquito Control: Cabinet added CI$3.7 million for a second replacement aircraft and more larvicide as ageing planes and heavy mosquito activity strain the unit. Parliament: MPs unanimously backed the idea of a Cayman Islands sovereign wealth fund, calling for research, public consultation and governance planning. Eight bills also passed, including tobacco and health-practice reforms. Social Support: Government is seeking more welfare funding as assistance reaches about 3,000 people and the annual budget nears CI$50 million; officials say the programme’s long-term impact needs better measurement. Public Service: Gloria McField-Nixon made history as Cayman’s first female Deputy Governor, taking her seat in Parliament. Financial Oversight: Cayman has entered the assessment phase of its fifth CFATF review, with an on-site evaluation due late next year.