An Amazing Eight Months
Productive. Collaborative. For the people.
For the past eight months, serving you as Premier has been my privilege and honour. When I took the oath of office on 6 May 2025, my promise was to work with all of you to build a stronger, fairer Cayman Islands, and that will forever be my intention.
So with no time to waste, and ably supported by the civil service and people like you, Cayman has advanced key priorities to lay a solid foundation for 2026-2028. Our shared focus includes education, immigration, housing, the economy – and other subjects that you say matter to you.
It’s all in this Strategic Policy Document. By reading even one of the short Broad Outcomes, you’ll know more about how our plans will benefit you and yours But as we look ahead, there’s value in reflecting on some significant milestones and memorable events of 2025.
A New Day for Cayman
The good work officially began when I received the instruments of appointment to become the Premier of the Cayman Islands from Her Excellency the Governor Jane Owen.
Saying that leading this beloved country as Premier is a significant responsibility does not do justice to the weight of the role. Including myself, five individuals have had the distinct honour to lead our beloved Islands under the title of Premier, a title designated in our 2009 Constitution. And so the responsibilities of the job are known – but every Government administration is different. Each one has its own character.
I’m humbled that West Bay South voters in the 2025 General Elections gave me a second term, and doubly humbled that I subsequently was nominated by fellow Parliamentarians to be Premier. And I am both humbled and proud to lead the tri-political party collective that forms the National Coalition for Caymanians (NCFC) Government. The NCFC is living proof that a transfer of administrative power can be selfless and peaceful – as it should be, as this reflects the character of the people we serve.
But don’t mistake peaceful as complacent – this Government moves quickly, and also collaboratively. On 15 August we marked the first 100 days in office, chronicling the actions Government had taken by that time to help improve the lives of our people.
The National Coalition for Caymanians (NCFC) Government, standing with integrity for our beloved country.
On 16 October every elected member of the NCFC Government signed a historic Coalition Agreement in November to publicly declare that we will collaborate in driving key priorities and change for the country.
This agreement is comprehensive, detailing how we intend to work together, form agreements and resolve conflicts, to ensure the country’s best interests are the only consideration on the table.
Parliament and Policies: Putting Cayman First
Broad Outcomes 2026-2028
Advancing Government’s ambitious and visionary agenda for a stronger Cayman required three Meetings for the 2025-2026 Parliamentary Session. During the Second Meeting, we introduced the Cayman Islands’ Strategic Policy Statement for 2026-2028, which I mentioned earlier.
This strategic and fiscal framework is key to ensuring that national resources are used to effectively and efficiently deliver programmes that improve the lives of Caymanians.
Core to the statement are seven Broad Outcomes (graphic above) that are the touchstone for Government’s policy decisions, legislation and budget allocations for the next two years.
Transforming Through Tech
With Minister Rankine (seated right) and members of the NCFC National Digital Transformation Strategy Taskforce.
It’s not an overstatement to say that with every second, global technological advancements change the way people learn, live and conduct business – and it’s an understatement to say our people must be able to thrive in this digital economy.
The NCFC National Digital Transformation Strategy Taskforce, established on 6 October, is making great progress in preparing guidance for Government on how to best position our country and our people for opportunities, while mitigating potential challenges. I’m pleased that the Minister for Social Development and Innovation, the Hon. Isaac Rankine, and I are jointly heading this Government initiative, and Government looks forward to receiving the taskforce’s guidance in Q1 this year.
Beyond Our Borders
Cayman’s care and concern for Jamaica was tangible.
After Hurricane Melissa devastated Jamaica, our close neighbour and friend, on 30 October the Cayman Islands Government pledged approximately US$1.2 million in essential supplies and goods to support Jamaica’s recovery. Shortly after their airport reopened our delegation of Government ministers, civil servants, and members of our community stepped off a chartered Cayman Airways flight to personally deliver an initial shipment of relief items – the first relief flight to land in Jamaica after the storm – and to let Jamaica’s people know that we understand and we care.
Strengthening Bonds Beyond Our Borders
In early June I joined Dr Tasha Ebanks-Garcia, Cayman Government’s Representative to the UK; members of Cayman’s Cabinet Office; and fellow Caribbean Overseas Territories leaders for a virtual Pre-Joint Ministerial Council Meeting.
Although we are in regular contact with each other throughout the year, this huddle among colleagues prudently prepared us to speak to our points of commonality, while also noting our unique perspectives, during the UK/OTs’ Joint Ministerial Council meeting in London in late November.
With Dr Tasha Ebanks-Garcia, Cayman Government’s Representative to the UK, during the call with Caribbean Overseas Territories leaders
During my first visit to Europe as Premier and Minister for Financial Services and Commerce, I had warm, cordial meetings with UK Parliament Members – many of whom knew me from my previous Government roles. These meetings included important discussions with UK Minister of State for Overseas Territories, Stephen Doughty MP, to discuss important areas of the UK/Cayman partnership.
Over the first eight months of this administration, I also was proud to lead Cayman delegations to New York, Panama and Florida that clearly explained to industry and political stakeholders how our financial services regulation supports global anti-money laundering standards; and promoted our growing reinsurance sector.
A great example of Cayman leaning in and exploring opportunities was the trip to India.
The fast pace continued into November and December, with several milestones to prepare Cayman for a strong future. In what is believed to be a first for our country, the business development trip to New Delhi, GIFT City and Mumbai laid the foundation for deeper strategic financial services partnerships with India.
Then, I was privileged to represent Cayman on an invitation-only panel at the 18th Plenary Meeting of the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes in (location), to speak about “Advancing a Shared Vision for International Tax Transparency."
A Firm Foundation to Build On
Easing Cayman’s social issues, such as housing, is indeed possible when Government and business collaborate on viable solutions.
Of all the achievements this year, there are two that stand out for their particular significance: Immigration Reform, and the approval of our country’s 2026-2028 Budget. These stand out for a couple of reasons. With Immigration Reform, the NCFC Government moved forward on a sensitive issue that has been touched on, but never resolved, for decades.
We were unified in our determination to set Cayman on a better path for Caymanians. We therefore fully supported Minister for Caymanian Employment and Immigration the Hon. Michael Myles and his team as they produced a solid Bill, backed by research and consultation, for Parliament’s consideration.
Parliament’s approval of the Bill speaks volumes about the deep need to solve this longstanding problem, and I am proud of our people, Minister Myles and his team, and the NCFC Government for being courageous enough to take this initial step.
Regarding the country’s budget, the NCFC Government came into an unclear fiscal situation. But with diligence, working alongside the civil service to understand our financial outlook, the Cayman Islands has a prudent spending plan for public services. We’ve patched a few longstanding holes in our cloth, to raise revenue mostly in areas that have not seen increases in years if not decades; and we worked to shield Caymanians from the increases as much as possible.
Under the accounting eyes of Minister for Finance and Economic Development the Hon. Rolston Anglin, the NCFC Government has cut our country’s coat to fit our cloth. The budget is a strong piece of work, and Government will monitor our spending for the next two years to further improve fiscal clarity and accountability in the 2028-2029 budget cycle.
In our first eight months, the NCFC Government has set a clear four-year policy direction and spending plan for our beloved Cayman Islands. Heading into 2026, I ask that you hold me and my NCFC colleagues accountable as leaders. But we can’t do it alone.
So lean in with us, even more than before. The time is now, and opportunities won’t stay around forever. Together let’s make this country and our people the best that we can be.
Yours for a stronger, fairer, Cayman Islands,
The Hon. André M Ebanks, MP Cayman Islands Premier; and Minister for Financial Services and Commerce
