Premier Panton Presents SPS 2024-2026

Government Motion No. 4 of 2022 – 2023
(re Strategic Policy Statement)
Moved by the Hon Premier and Minister for Finance
26 April 2023

Thank you, Madam Speaker.    

I Beg to Move Government Motion No. 4 of 2022 – 2023 which is captioned: 

“THE STRATEGIC POLICY STATEMENT FOR THE 2024 – 2026 FINANCIAL YEARS”
and it further reads, with your permission, Madam Speaker, as follows:

WHEREAS Section 23(1) of the Public Management and Finance Act (2020 Revision), states: that the Strategic Policy Statement for the next budget period shall be presented to the Parliament by a member of the Cabinet appointed by the Cabinet to do so on behalf of the Cabinet not later than 1 May immediately prior to each budget period, for approval within two months;

AND WHEREAS the next budget period is with respect to the 2024 and 2025 Financial Years;

AND WHEREAS the Strategic Policy Statement Tabled during this April 2023 Meeting of the Parliament satisfies the legal requirement to encompass a 3-year timeframe and, presently this timeframe involves the 2024 – 2026 Financial Years; and

BE IT NOW THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Parliament approves the policy priorities, aggregate financial targets and financial allocations set out in the 2024 – 2026 Strategic Policy Statement as the indicative parameters on which the 2024 and 2025 Budgets will be formulated.

Madam Speaker, I will now await your invitation for me to speak to the Government Motion.

______________________________________________________________________

Madam Speaker, this Motion seeks the approval of this Honourable Parliament for the Government’s 2024 –2026 Strategic Policy Statement (the SPS) which indicates the Government’s key policy priorities and Broad Outcomes. 

It also provides the Government’s financial targets for the next three financial years: 2024; 2025 and 2026. These financial targets will form the foundation on which the full-year budgets for the 2024 and 2025 Financial Years, will be developed. 

The SPS has been prepared in full accordance with the Public Management and Finance Act (2020 Revision), and it is in compliance with the Framework for Fiscal Responsibility (the “FFR”), that was agreed with the United Kingdom Government in 2011. 
 
The SPS is a high-level document whose main objective is to enlighten the general public and business entities of the broad budgetary policies that the Government will consider when preparing its detailed 2024 and 2025 budgets. The SPS does not provide the same level of detail as that found in annual budget documents; and the SPS will be utilised as a medium-term planning tool in contrast with the annual budget documents which contain extensive detailed. 

Madam Speaker, in summary, the Government seeks to achieve the following Broad Outcomes with its financial interventions:

• Broad Outcome 1: Improve Quality of Life for Caymanians
• Broad Outcome 2: Enhancing Competitiveness While Meeting International Standards
• Broad Outcome 3: Future-Proof to Increase Resiliency
• Broad Outcome 4: Modernising Government and Improving Public Sector Performance
• Broad Outcome 5: Protect and Promote Caymanian Culture, Heritage and Identity 

Madam Speaker, 

Serving as an elected representative of the people is a privilege, it is not a right. It is about service and making the lives of our people better. 

When we chose to form a Government, we agreed to hold ourselves to four overriding principles. These were to be People Driven, Accountable, Competent and Transparent.

Today, we stand before this Honorable House with a growing economy, a budget surplus and ushering in an economy that has created thousands of jobs and opportunities for our people. Now, this document shows that it is incumbent upon us to manage our growth. We are called to be responsible with the people’s money. We are called to reject imprudence. But, we are also called to deliver real results that improve transportation in our society, address the cost of living challenges, improve education, take care of our seniors, provide better and more affordable healthcare and build the necessary infrastructure that will build a healthier, more sustainable country.

We are here to responsibly improve the quality of life for this and future generations of Caymanians.

The Strategic Policy Statement outlines our intended approach over the next budget period to do just that - responsibly improve the quality of life for this and future generations of Caymanians.

Our vision is to be renowned as “one of the most sustainable countries in the world: a peaceful, prosperous place where everyone can thrive and live their best life.”

By most measures, the Cayman Islands remain one of the most attractive places to work, live, invest and visit. 

Our economic growth as measured by GDP was 3.7% in 2022 and 4.0% in 2021, and in the difficult year that was 2020 the economy contracted by 5.1%.

Our economy has created more than 8,900 jobs relative to the pre-pandemic period of 2019. When compared to the low of 2020, the economy has added over 14,700 jobs. The unemployment rate for Caymanians is at a record low of 3.6%. Our real GDP per capita in 2022 was estimated at US$70,790, higher than the United States and most other advanced economies.

While our economic success is clear… It is important to remember, as former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair once said, “Real progress cannot be measured by money alone. We must ensure that economic growth contributes to our quality of life, rather than degrading it.”

We can measure success with many metrics, but one of our objectives in this Government was to use a balanced approach to measure success, to ensure our success is in fact making the lives of our citizens better and to find ways to measure that quality of life that Tony Blair is talking about. 

It has been clear since taking office in 2021, this Government has sought to do things a bit differently. 

First and foremost, we have put the most important aspect of our country – our people, at the epicenter of all that we do. 

I use the word “epicenter” intentionally here. It’s not sufficient to say that we have put people ‘first’. Instead, all that we do and all that we strive for emanates from the needs and wishes of our people. They are at the heart of every broad outcome, every specific outcome, and every project.

If what we are doing doesn’t benefit, support, encourage, enrich, educate, and empower our people – there is not any point or purpose in it. 

The five new broad outcomes present our overarching aims for the future of our Islands.

Drawing directly from our vision for and commitment to the Cayman Islands, I will highlight again the five Broad Outcomes in the 2024-2026 SPS:

• Broad Outcome 1: Improve Quality of Life for Caymanians
• Broad Outcome 2: Enhancing Competitiveness While Meeting International Standards
• Broad Outcome 3: Future-Proof to Increase Resiliency
• Broad Outcome 4: Modernising Government and Improving Public Sector Performance
• Broad Outcome 5: Protect and Promote Caymanian Culture, Heritage and Identity 

These Broad Outcomes encompass all aspects of life and living in the Cayman Islands, from enhancing the basic elements of the human condition including housing, health and education; to maintaining our main industries’ relevance in the global arena; developing as a jurisdiction structured for future growth and sustainability; maintaining a stable, efficient and transparent Government; and championing the vital importance of retaining our Caymanian culture, heritage and identity.

Madam Speaker, it is important to clarify that the previous ten Broad Outcomes set out in the PACT Government’s first SPS are still vitally important, and have been retained as ‘specific’ outcomes under the five new broad outcomes.

In taking a more holistic approach, and by communicating our desired outcomes more clearly, we hope that everyone in the Cayman Islands will better understand what this Government is trying to achieve on their behalf. This includes the civil servants charged with planning, managing and delivering the Government's agenda, the customers who utilize and rely on our services, and most importantly our people as the ultimate intended beneficiaries of our policies, priorities and projects.

We are focusing on key areas that will make the most positive impact to the lives of Caymanians and ultimately build a stronger and more resilient economy. 

We have balanced our priority spending with the country’s requirement to maintain fiscal responsibility.

Indeed, our policies over the first half of this administration have seen an adherence to fiscal prudence, to the principles of responsible financial management and compliance with the Framework for Fiscal Responsibility set out in the PMFA.

However, as important as fiscal responsibility is, it’s not the only reason why we are here. Beyond dollars and cents lie the heartbeats and souls relying on us, their government, to craft and put into practice policies and programmes that will ensure future prosperity and growth. 

Madam Speaker, we are, first and foremost, in these seats of responsibility as the Government through the mandate of the Caymanian people. We are here to serve the people; to further their hopes, dreams and wishes; and to build not only for today, but also for tomorrow. 

This “mid-term” SPS is the PACT Government’s plan to address the country's immediate economic, social and environmental needs and position its people for a thriving, sustainable future.  

To provide the public with a clearer understanding of the terms used in the SPS, I’d like to provide a few useful definitions: 

A Broad Outcome is “A state or condition or set of circumstances which the Government sets out to realise and achieve”. 

A Specific Outcome is “A measurable or observable objective, state, condition, set of circumstances or results which are necessary or beneficial to achieving the broad outcomes”. 

Also for greater clarity and understanding, I’d like to give some more details of the 2024-26 SPS 5 Broad Outcomes - what each one represents, why it matters, and how it benefits the people of the Cayman Islands.

Broad Outcome 1: Improve Quality of Life for Caymanians
The PACT Administration’s very first commitment is to being People-driven which means that our people are at the heart of everything we do. This means as a Government, our policies, initiatives and priorities must be for the benefit of our people and the improvement of their quality of life both as individuals and collectively.

Quality of life is defined by the World Health Organisation as "an individual's perception of their position in life in the context of the culture and value systems in which they live and in relation to their goals, expectations, standards and concerns".

Aspects of a person’s quality of life include wealth, employment, the environment, health, education, religious beliefs, safety, and more.

 In the context of improving quality of life as a broad outcome, some of the specific outcomes include nation-building initiatives, sustainability discussions and socio-economic policies that demonstrate observable improvements in terms of:

• Physical and mental health
• Access to Housing
• Education
• Transport and Mobility
• Employment or occupation
• The natural and built environment
• Recreation and leisure time
• Social belonging
• Individual, household or community assets; and
• Safety, security and freedom

Quality of life is an important indicator for any society as it indicates the overall happiness, health and wellness of a given population. It requires a balanced measurement of qualitative and quantitative factors which impact those living in a society. This allows us to pinpoint areas for improvement.

Rush hour traffic congestion is one present day local example of why improving quality of life is important. Yes, most Caymanians are well- off enough to afford a car - low unemployment and a high GDP per capita which are both accepted indicators of a strong economy. But how much does driving a car improve their overall quality of life if they have to sit in that car for several hours each day traveling to and from work? 

There are several factors at play when evaluating quality of life. Therefore, a holistic approach that takes all aspects of living into account and the strategic deployment of Government’s resources is needed if we are to make real and meaningful changes. The specific outcomes and priority projects in this key area represent the PACT Government’s commitment to improving the quality of life of our people.

One of the key Specific Outcomes in achieving improved quality of life for Caymanians is in the area of employment, where our objective is Increasing Social Justice in the Workforce.

To gain equity for Caymanians in the workforce, the Ministry of Border Control & Labour has been tasked with:

• Modernising the Work Permit regime with a new fully integrated Online Job Portal for Caymanian jobseekers;
• Increasing maternity and family leave provisions;
• Revising the Permanent Residence points system;
• Amending Permanent Residence and Right to be Caymanian criteria;
• Implementing an Employer Accreditation System to reward employers who develop and retain Caymanians; and
• Implementing a gradual increase to the minimum wage and the mandatory level of pension contributions. 

The Specific Outcome of building a modern infrastructure to ensure a successful future for our islands also directly impacts our quality of life, especially with regard to infrastructure issues. 

Among Priority Projects under this Specific Outcome will be: to mitigate traffic congestion through the delivery of important roads infrastructure such as the extension of the East West Arterial to Frank Sound Road, amending import legislation to restrict the quantity and types of vehicles that can be imported and developing a reliable, quality public transport system.

The provision of essential services in the Sister Islands such as the construction and maintenance of roads and strengthening of other essential CIG services including PWD, Hazard Management, and DVES also falls under this area.

Beyond physical infrastructure development, the business regulatory framework will also be upgraded to make it easier for local companies to do business and to prosper. Part of this revamp will be to modernise the Liquor License Act to align with other commerce-related legislation and to consolidate Commerce Legislation with regard to Local Company Control Licenses and Trade & Business Licenses.

Important to our quality of life is strengthening, preserving and enhancing public safety and security in the community.

As would be expected, Priority Projects under this Specific Outcome are largely tasked to uniformed services falling under the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Office of the Commissioner of Police, however the Ministry of Social Development is also earmarked under this outcome to create a framework to protect and safeguard vulnerable adults. 

The Office of the Commissioner of Police is responsible for ensuring safety on Cayman’s waters through maintaining a 12/7 365 maritime patrol and response presence by the CI Coast Guard around the Islands to ensure timely maritime search and rescue response up to 100 nautical miles of the Islands. 

Additionally, our maritime safety will be supported by the creation of vessel safety regulations focusing on Vessel Operator proficiency; the drafting and enactment of Boating Whilst Impaired legislation; and legislation addressing anti-social behavior within specific maritime recreational areas, or proximity of the Islands’ coast lines. 

Madam Speaker, the fourth Specific Outcome aimed at improving Caymanians’ quality of life is Providing solutions to improve the well-being of our people so they can achieve their full potential

Priority Projects under this Specific Outcome include the updating of adoption legislation, greater standardisation of care in residential homes, and new standards for the Child Safe-guarding framework to increase responsiveness to trauma.  

Public Health initiatives in this key area will include providing comprehensive multidisciplinary care to people with Non Communicable Diseases (NCD) and to develop a model for the provision of equitable services in Public Health in conjunction with the Older Persons Policy. 

A strong focus will be put on National Wellness initiatives including promoting physical and mental wellness across the three islands; the development of Wellness Parks; providing community mental health outreach; the completion and commissioning of the Long-term Mental Health Residential Facility; and introducing wellness programmes throughout the community catering to the active and healthy lifestyles of older persons.

Expansion of clinical services offered within the community to meet the growing demand for Mental Health support is planned. The services will include parenting programmes, therapeutic groups, and school-based workshops in Cayman Brac, as well as new therapeutic groups for complex mental health needs and programming for parents deemed to be at risk in Grand Cayman. 

A major emphasis on mental health programmes is a key feature of the initiatives aimed at well-being including reducing wait times for mental health appointments and taking a more holistic approach to treatment and client care across the Department of Counseling Services.

Further initiatives include increasing engagement with community partners to provide community based parenting workshops in the Eastern districts of Grand Cayman as well as offering substance misuse and mental health workshops to employers who recognise challenges among their employees.

Education is a proven driver of increased quality of life, and relates to the Specific Outcome of improving education to promote lifelong learning and greater economic mobility.

In the area of childhood education, mental health and support services will be at the forefront.

Mental health education programmes will be provided to reduce stigma and to promote emotional wellbeing among children. Early education programmes will be increased and strengthened through the establishment of an Early Childhood Development Hub; and financial assistance will be offered to help working families offset the costs of day care services.

In secondary and tertiary education, increased learning support services will be provided through the establishment of a Key Stage 4 learning support class at both Clifton Hunter High School and John Gray High School; and WorkPlace Readiness and Technical and Vocational Education and Training initiatives at the University College of the Cayman Islands will be strengthened. 

Housing is another key component of improved quality of life and one of our specific aims is to provide affordable housing and create new opportunities to access capital for home ownership. The key Priority Project under this specific outcome over the next two years is to launch an Affordable Housing Initiative (AHI) in all districts. As most people are aware, the provision of affordable housing is well underway in North Side, Bodden Town and West Bay. In addition to the Affordable Housing Initiative, which builds homes and makes them available for purchase;  we have also embarked on projects to make available affordable land lots across several districts, helping Caymanians to buy a piece of land on which they can build their own homes in due course. 

In this environment of high interest rates, we are also working to bring about residential mortgage reform under the registered land act. For those who rent, we are working to reform the landlord and tenancies act to ensure a more level playing field for both tenants and landlords, and to introduce rights and protections for both parties. Mitigating and ultimately solving the home ownership crisis for Caymanians has been of key importance to the PACT Government from Day One, and we will continue to keep it at the top of our list.   

A vital Specific Outcome is protecting the well-being of Cayman’s youth, so they can achieve their full potential.

Key initiatives in this area include implementing the Cayman Islands Child Safeguarding Board (CICSB) strategy and plan; researching gangs and gang culture in the Cayman Islands to support a targeted response; promoting active, healthy, physical and mental well-being for the youth population; and providing opportunities for youth to voice concerns or speak on matters relating to them inclusive of those with disabilities. And finally, we plan to continue utilising sports to enhance the lives of our people.

Priority Projects under this specific outcome are to encourage a culture of fitness in communities through public education campaigns; promote gender equality in sports; ensure proper lighting and security at all public sports facilities; and to establish public/private partnerships to increase the number of sporting facilities available throughout the Islands. 
 
Broad Outcome 2: Enhancing Competitiveness while meeting international standards
This Broad Outcome refers to the need to continuously improve our economic, social, environmental and governance frameworks in order to ensure the Cayman Islands remain a viable and attractive place to conduct and operate business and maintain a legally compliant edge against international competitors. This not only applies to the financial services industry in relation to global regulatory requirements, but is also equally applicable to our tourism, construction, technology and other emerging industries.

The PACT Government is committed to maintaining a private sector driven economy.  Our administration acknowledges the important role the private sector plays in generating the activity which provides the goods, services and productivity required to have a healthy and vibrant economy. This in turn creates employment as well as the most significant percentage of Government revenue.  The revenue generated by a private sector driven economy is in turn utilised by the Government to provide public services such as education, healthcare and financial assistance; it also funds investments in affordable housing and infrastructure projects such as roads.

Because the Cayman Islands is one of many places that businesses can choose to operate, this means we are competing on the global stage every day.  We are not only required to meet international standards, but we must also clearly demonstrate our advantage over competing jurisdictions – whether it be to attract inward investment or to generate greater numbers of visitors to our shores. This means that we must ensure that our public services, regulatory regimes, and infrastructure meet international standards and support our Islands positioning as one of the best places to live, visit, work, invest in or conduct business.

It is in the best interest of both Caymanians and residents to ensure that our business and commerce environment is in compliance with global standards.  The Cayman Islands Government, inclusive of local regulatory authorities, must continue to demonstrate leadership by engaging with international regulatory bodies to be involved in the monitoring and setting of global compliance standards. This will not only maintain the Cayman Islands’ leadership position in terms of competitiveness, it is vital for the health of our economy and our public sector.

Due to this commitment to enhancing competitiveness, it is our intent to improve several public services in areas including health, education, transport and technology. Additionally, initiatives to strengthen the regulatory regimes governing our major industries and the create platforms for the growth of new industries are being pursued.

Key to achieving this outcome is increasing the positive sentiment and trust of the Cayman Islands as a Global Business Jurisdiction.

• We also need to improve our tourism as an industry, product and economic driver for our islands. In order to achieve this, the Minister of Tourism and Ports has a plan to:
• promote and grow sports and event tourism;
• expand into emerging and secondary tourism markets;
• market to high-net worth visitors;
• promote Cayman Brac and Little Cayman;
• expand Cayman Airways routes;
• diversify our tourism product with greater eco-tourism focus;
• reimagine cruise tourism,
• and to increase safety regulatory oversight of all of the Islands’ airports to ensure they meet internationally mandated standards.

Also key to meeting international standards is Strengthening good governance for more effective government.

Priority Projects under this specific outcome are primarily related to:

• international standards for the financial services industry, including achieving a positive assessment on the FATF 5th Round Review;
• achieving positive assessments on the OECD and Global Forum international tax cooperation reviews;
• improving oversight of the audit profession in accordance with trends in international standards;
• and implementing proactive, sustainable and effective financial services regulation to promote new financial services products and to enable the existing business models to thrive.
• And finally, as a jurisdiction we must Modernise Business Processes and Enhance Information Technology Platforms and Infrastructure in order to stay apace with other markets.

Strategic actions in this priority area are:

• to streamline the licensing framework for local businesses through Commerce framework reform;
• enhance local intellectual property registration through enhancement of the Intellectual Property Legislative Framework;
• and to conduct a technological position audit/review within the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA) in order to develop and implement an action plan for the deployment of identified technological tools. 

Broad Outcome 3: Future Proof to Increase Resiliency
To future proof our society is to anticipate risks, assess opportunities, and take steps to protect the health and prosperity of our country.

The PACT Administration believes it is a core responsibility of any Government to address needs that exist today and to prepare for the needs of the future.

Under this Broad Outcome are several initiatives aimed at the sustainability of both our natural environment and our built infrastructure, as well as programmes to improve available technology and services.

However, there is also a human element to the concept of future proofing which involves preparing, equipping and empowering the Caymanian people to thrive. We want to encourage, enrich and empower our people through education, health, sports, youth, cultural programmes and employment.

Being ready for the future includes fiscal prudence, protecting our assets and building in resiliency to our sources of revenue. We intend to establish a Sovereign Wealth Fund in the next budget cycle, and we will sharing more on that in the actual budget discussions. We will focus on future proofing our physical assets, along with better physical infrastructure. Future proofing also requires educated minds, healthy bodies, skilled workers, and a strong sense of national identity including the belief in our own capability and readiness. 

As the Cayman Islands economy continues to grow, we must remain alert to geopolitical disruptions and consider the potential impacts these may have on our future.

Future proofing acknowledges our vulnerability as small import-dependent Islands to external shocks such as natural disasters, supply chain shortages, global conflicts and health or economic crises. Therefore, future proofing considers risk, and creates a hardening of key infrastructure to provide security and stability for generations to come.

Vital to future proofing is Building a modern infrastructure to ensure a successful future for our islands. Key projects in this area focus on both “hard’ and “soft” infrastructure.

In terms of physical buildings and assets, these include:

• an increase in CI Government land ownership to facilitate future needs of housing, parks, roads and public beaches; and
• improvements to ports of entry to enhance visitor experience.

“Softer” infrastructure projects include the implementation of the Cayman Islands Food and Nutrition Security Policy (CIFNSP) 2022-2035; and to review and to action necessary amendments to Planning laws with regards to zoning, density and height to help develop communities and make housing more affordable.

The completion or progression of the Integrated Solid Waste Management System / ReGen project falls under this outcome, and is a necessary project that has been a hot potato for several Government administrations. Though a significant financial commitment, it is the only viable option we have available to the country to responsibly manage our solid waste given the previous decisions taken, such as deciding to keep our solid waste management at the current location or the decision to enter into an agreement with the preferred bidder in March 2021. Despite the comments made by various members of the Opposition, what was left by the previous administration was hardly a ‘nearly done deal’, in fact as some of the project team have described it, “it was an agreement to sign 30 more agreements.”  After two years of analysis, evaluation and negotiation, we are close to reaching mutually agreeable terms and getting to financial close. The reality is, we do not have alternatives which can be developed, approved and made ready before the current landfill runs out of space. And, it is manageable from a fiscal perspective. For forty years we have kicked this can down the road, and now we are running out of time. 
Now is the time to solve the problem while we are at the tipping point. 

To be prepared for the future, we need a healthy population so Ensuring an equitable, sustainable, and successful healthcare system is vital. 

Falling under the Ministry of Health & Wellness, this will be achieved through a comprehensive review and update of the National Strategic Health Policy. 

We will also need people who are well educated, leading to the next Specific Outcome: Improving education to promote lifelong learning and greater economic mobility.

• This will require several areas of Government working in tandem, with plans to promote lifelong learning including:
• expanding and enhancing the current national tourism education strategy;
• the expansion of Prospect Primary School expansion;
• building a new Edna Moyle Primary School;
• building the fourth academy at Clifton Hunter High School;
• increasing and strengthening early education programmes by establishing nurseries at East End Primary School and Edna Moyle Primary School;
• and offering free tertiary education at the University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI) and International College of the Cayman Islands (ICCI). 

Vital to securing our future adaptability and success is Supporting climate change resilience and sustainable development.

Projects to achieve this aim at a high level include the development and implementation of the Climate Change Policy; implementation of the National Energy Policy; completion of the Cayman Islands National Weather Service Headquarters; and facilitating responsible management and sustainable use of the natural environment and the natural resources of the Cayman Islands.

We must also prepare for the future by Protecting the wellbeing of Cayman’s youth, so they can achieve their full potential.

Future proofing youth-related projects include providing grant opportunities for young people; monitoring to ensure vibrant programming and safeguarding practices and policies are in place for all youth related organisations; cross-ministerial and interagency collaboration and coordination on youth related issues; and the development of a National Policy and implementation plan for Youth. 

Broad Outcome 4: Modernising Government and Improving Public Sector Performance
Under our governance framework, the elected Government is responsible for the formulation of policies and setting the priorities which the Government will focus on.

The implementation and delivery of those policies and priorities remains the responsibility of the public sector, which includes the core Civil Service as well as Statutory Authorities and Government Owned Companies. 

While a growing population and expanding economy requires more public services, a sustainable approach dictates that greater emphasis be placed on increasing efficiency and effectiveness of the delivery. 

This Broad Outcome speaks to our commitment to good governance, and to at least two tenets of the PACT acronym – Accountable and Transparent. 

Increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of Government services helps both the elected Government and all public servants to remain accountable and hopefully more transparent.

This broad outcome serves to bring attention to the role that the public service plays in a successful, sustainable and thriving country. Its inclusion signals to the Civil Service and to the wider country that we are committed to continuous improvement, that we acknowledge that we can streamline certain processes to improve the customer experience. This set of specific outcomes are designed to help Ministries, Portfolios, Departments, Statutory Authorities and Government Owned Companies re-examine ‘business as usual’ and challenge themselves to innovate, to focus on the customer and to focus on outcomes.   

The first specific outcome is to Modernise Business Processes and Enhance Information Technology Platforms and Infrastructure.  

Projects aimed at achieving this goal in the Ministry of Investment, Innovation & Social Development include:

• creating an online portal that supports the financial assistance application process;
• development of regulations to operationalise remote identity validation and single stage submissions;
• improving online user experiences by designing government websites primarily from the customers’ viewpoint;
• implement an online content management system within core government that allows all levels of civil servants to manage and timely update information that is for public consumption;
• and developing cloud storage options for relevant services to expedite online application submissions.

Also key to improvement is Strengthening good governance for more effective government.

The Ministry of Planning, Agriculture, Housing and Infrastructure is tasked with developing a more effective governance structure for agriculture in the Cayman Islands, and will deliver a legislative agenda to benefit the agricultural sector including the Plant Protection Act, the Pesticide Control Act (and associated Regulations); the Animals Act; the Veterinary Act; and the Agriculture Act.

Under its “Infrastructure” remit, the same Ministry will ensure that a legislative framework is in place to help design and deliver specific projects and to effectively execute the statutory requirements of the National Roads Authority including corporate governance, land acquisition, road design, encroachments and other regulatory functions. 
The Ministry will also develop an NRA specific public communications plan to address issues, needs and solutions, and to ensure that the project stakeholders and the general public are appropriately informed and/or consulted on various project activities along with potential impacts.

Across its functions, the PAHI Ministry will develop a communication plan to include data collection, website and digitization to improve data and technology and foster innovation, improve customer experience, and reduce manual input in its processes. 

• The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development will be undertaking its own modernization project with the redevelopment of the Government Budget and Reporting process. 
  At the Portfolio of the Civil Services (POCS) there is a lengthy list of projects aimed at improving governance and efficiency. The Portfolio itself will:
• implement a new policy framework to govern the remuneration of persons appointed to public bodies, including boards, committees, councils:
• develop an Enterprise Risk Management Policy for the CI Government;
• provide training and support to embed effective risk management within CIG;
• and provide Governance Training and Support for SAGCs.

Turning now Madam Speaker to the fifth area of focus.

Broad Outcome 5: Protecting and Promoting Caymanian Culture, Heritage and Identity
The final Broad Outcome, and one which we believe is vital to all of our plans and projects, is that of conserving and highlighting what defines Caymanian culture, heritage and identity. It is a shared goal that cuts across all Ministries and Portfolios.

For centuries, the Cayman Islands were the “Islands that Time Forgot”. But within the last half of a century – or even less, our community, economy and overall society have been transformed. After being founded upon the seas in 1503, from the 1970s onward, our Islands have undergone a veritable sea change.

The scale and pace of societal and demographic changes in the Cayman Islands have proven difficult for many Caymanians to circumnavigate.

Many Caymanians fear being left behind or even excluded especially as it relates to our unique traditions, perspective and way of life. Therefore, we recognise that in order to effectively address the common concern for protection and promotion of Caymanian Culture, Heritage and Identity, there must be tangible, intentional and transformative actions taken by Government, the private sector, civil society and the community.

All members of the PACT Administration share a passion and commitment to ensuring that the culture, heritage and identity of the Caymanian people is preserved and passed on to future generations. This Government also shares a collective sense of urgency given the rapid changes our community, economy and overall society have undergone. 

Therefore, we recognise that in order to effectively address the common concern for protection and promotion of Caymanian Culture, Heritage and Identity, there must be tangible, intentional and transformative actions taken by Government, the private sector, civil society and the community. 

It requires an acknowledgement that these three elements, are essential for the success and prosperity of the Cayman Islands. While greater support for cultural activities, preservation of built history, and visual and performing arts will be required, we must also clearly define and present the Cayman Islands brand so that it is understood then woven into all of our economic drivers to shape the way we present ourselves to the world and to our competitors. It is also an acknowledgement of the importance of soft power, and the unifying power of Caymanian achievement and success on a global stage whether in sports, the arts, academia or industry. Our education system plays a central facilitation role and can be a driver for positive change.

With the Cayman Islands now hosting over 130 nationalities, and remaining heavily dependent on a largely transient workforce, the need to unequivocally define who we are becomes even greater. This will support the integration of those who come to live in the Cayman Islands whether temporarily or permanently. Culture, Heritage and Identity also takes into consideration natural assets which hold social and cultural significance for Caymanians and is a key element of United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Our people must never question or lose who we are as Caymanians and what our national identity is. 

We must both preserve our rich culture and history and use the pride we have in ourselves and the achievements of our people thus far as fuel to sustain us for the future. 

A key Specific Outcome necessary to a strong national identity is Providing solutions to improve the well-being of our people so they can achieve their full potential.

A key priority project aimed at achieving this outcome is under the remit of the Ministry of Health & Wellness and will have Public Health partner with related NGOs to promote public awareness within the community with regard to aging and disabilities and their impact on the preservation of culture. Another vital Specific Outcome relating to national heritage and identity is to Cultivate civic and national pride.

Initiatives spread across a range of Ministries and Portfolios in the achievement of this objective, beginning with the Ministry of Planning, Agriculture, Housing and Infrastructure improving the physical beauty and aesthetics of our communities through the stronger enforcement of existing laws and the amendment of relevant laws; and the development of a Policy and Design/Style guide that adopts the use of Caymanian architecture in Government buildings.

The Portfolio of the Civil Service will strengthen digitisation methodology for preservation and all-inclusive access to the Cayman Islands' documentary heritage for current and future generations. 

The Ministry of Youth, Sports, Culture & Heritage will advocate for policy change in the area of retrieving, retaining, and maintaining historical and cultural artifacts, traditions and sites; and will also adopt a multidisciplinary approach across all sectors by participating in and providing feedback on policy and programming initiatives recognising that culture and heritage cross all sectors. 

Improving education to promote lifelong learning and greater economic mobility is also necessary to both the preservation of heritage and the forging of national identity. 

In terms of primary and secondary education, the Ministry of Education will ensure that the school curriculum includes courses, school programmes and extra-curricular activities which promote and provide exposure to Caymanian Culture and Heritage. 

It is important to note that the achievement of these Broad Outcomes will necessitate the work and cooperation of several government Ministries, Department and Units. Most of the specific outcomes and projects will require inter-ministerial cooperation and a cross-governmental approach. There can be no working in silos, we must instead work in tandem and as a unified government and public services to makes these things happen. With the dedicated teams that we have and the commitment we have made to modernising government and increasing public sector effectiveness and accountability, we believe that this is achievable. 

One need only look at the work done and the resilience shown by our civil service during and after the COVID-19 pandemic to show that our ministries and departments of government are fully capable of breaking down barriers and working together for a common goal. This can be just as true in times of growth as in times of crisis. 

I hope that the Strategic Policy Statement of the PACT Government for 2024-2026 shows clearly that we have carefully considered the challenges of the Cayman Islands as a whole from the bird’s eye view all the way down to the granular level, and have developed both our broad and specific desired outcomes and the strategies, projects and funding required to achieve them. 
In doing so, we have not taken the political view – as the cynics among us may opine, but instead we have listened to the public, the Caymanian people, and the public servants who both advise on and execute our policies. 

In the past two years, we have seen what works well and also what doesn’t. We are at the mid-point of this administration with the experience under our belts to see how our collective vision is shaping up and understanding where our strategies may need to be tweaked or slightly shifted. 

However, as you have surely seen and understood from everything I have outlined today – our core values and vision have not shifted. There has been no wholesale change in what we as a unified government are aiming to achieve. 

We remain People-driven, Accountable, Transparent and Competent as a Government and in our policies and actions.

Let’s revisit our desired outcomes for a moment.

• Broad Outcome 1: Improve Quality of Life for Caymanians
• Broad Outcome 2: Enhancing Competitiveness While Meeting International Standards
• Broad Outcome 3: Future-Proof to Increase Resiliency
• Broad Outcome 4: Modernizing Government and Improving Public Sector Performance
• Broad Outcome 5: Protect and Promote Caymanian Culture, Heritage and Identity

Under these overarching aims fall all of the same people-centered objectives I outlined for this House when presenting our first SPS back in July 2021, plus more.

We have identified over the past two years the need to robustly support our key industries and shore up our international reputation while also actively and thoughtfully preparing ourselves for the future, including any natural or man-made crises that may come.

So we are continuing to focus on those policies providing for those most human of needs, including managing the cost of living, supporting and improving education and training for both children and adults, equity on the job market for Caymanians, ensuring the most vulnerable in our society receive the support and protection they need, the necessity of access to quality healthcare, the importance of mental health, the need for affordable housing, the significance of a safe and secure community, and how vital it is that the Islands’ development be holistically sustainable in terms of the environment, the economy and our people. 

We are continuing to support our pillar industries and protect them from future threats while also positioning them for growth, and are also laying a strong foundation for the development of new industries and revenue streams for our Islands. 

We are focusing on vitally needed improvements to the technology available to us, and to our infrastructure. While also improving the transparency and accountability of the public sector. 

And we are doing all of this in a way that is fiscally responsible and ensuring that the Cayman Islands remains in charge of its own finances. We have struck a balance between necessary spending on both human services and capital projects, while keeping a keen eye on the bottom line and also ensuring that we have made the necessary provisions for any future rainy day. 

In all, I think I can fairly say that this Government has earned a passing grade on its mid-term report card. 

Have there been issues? Yes, undoubtedly. I don’t think any Government goes through any administration with no crises, no disagreements, no minor scandals and no divisions. 

However, as I present this Strategic Policy Statement to you, this PACT Government has stayed the course, moving ahead in one direction. 

Each of us remains individually and collectively committed to the outcomes and vision presented in the Strategic Policy Statement, and we are eager to move ahead to achieve these goals. 

We’ve been through a lot over the last few years. And, yet, we’ve emerged stronger. Our economy is growing again. We’re creating jobs. But, we continue to have challenges related to sustainable growth like the traffic problems. And, we have problems related to the global inflation crisis that is driving up prices from supermarkets to building supplies.

Madam Speaker, as has often been said it is easy to criticise but it is hard to govern. Yes, we delivered a surplus, but that does not give us a blank cheque for fiscal irresponsibility. We cannot and must not overextend ourselves and mortgage our future because we spend too much too fast today. Being responsible will invariably bring tradeoffs. 

Instead, what we offer in this SPS is a detailed, thoughtful, measured plan to address our most vexing challenges.

Madam Speaker, in conclusion, I would like to say a special thank you to the teams of people in each Ministry and Portfolio who contributed to the content of the SPS and to the teams in the Cabinet Office and to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development who worked diligently on the evolution of the SPS. 

I look forward to the support of my colleagues and the many hardworking public servants who are tasked with making these desired outcomes a reality for a better Cayman Islands in the coming years.

Madam Speaker, the medium-term fiscal vision in this SPS provides a pathway to deal with the issues discussed today, mainly for the Cayman Islands to have a bright financial future. 

Therefore, I ask that all Honourable Members of this Parliament support Government Motion 4 of 2022 – 2023: which asks the House to approve the aggregate financial targets and financial allocations contained in the Strategic Policy Statement that was Tabled earlier, as the indicative parameters on which the 2024 and 2025 Budgets will be formulated.

Thank you, Madam Speaker.