AGP Executive Report

Youth Football: The Cayman Islands will compete in the inaugural FIFA Under-15 World Cup and Festival in Azerbaijan, facing Trinidad and Tobago, St Kitts and Nevis, Iraq, Egypt and Macau in Group S. The tournament runs October 22–31. Cayman Airways: The national carrier won Caribbean’s Leading Airline at the World Travel Awards and earned its first nomination for the world title, the only Caribbean airline among the global nominees. Regional Security: Five Cayman Islands Regiment personnel have deployed to Antigua and Barbuda to support preparations for next month’s Commonwealth summit. Economic Development: Cayman Enterprise City was named the Americas’ Knowledge Zone of the Year by fDi Intelligence and received an honourable mention for responsible AI operations; the zone now hosts 500 businesses. Public Services: HSA has launched orthodontic care, including braces and clear aligners, through its public dental service. Public Finance: Government is seeking a CI$236 million loan facility for its approved capital programme.

Air Travel: Cayman Airways has won Caribbean’s Leading Airline at the World Travel Awards in its first year nominated, and is now in the running for the world’s leading airline title. Public Finances: Government is seeking a CI$236 million loan facility for its approved capital programme. Business: Cayman Enterprise City was named the Americas’ leading knowledge zone by fDi Intelligence, as its special economic zone reaches 500 businesses. Healthcare: HSA has launched orthodontic services, including braces and clear aligners, through the public healthcare system. Regional Role: Cayman Islands Regiment personnel have deployed to Antigua and Barbuda to support preparations for next month’s Commonwealth summit. Culture: Gimistory returns from 1–6 November with storytelling, music and Caymanian traditions across the islands. Disaster Response: Cayman-based CCRIF has triggered a US$17.4 million payout to Panama after an earthquake, providing rapid funds for emergency response and repairs.

Cayman Airways: The national carrier has won Caribbean’s Leading Airline at the World Travel Awards, in its first year nominated. It is also the only Caribbean airline nominated for the world title. Business: Cayman Enterprise City was named the Americas’ leading knowledge zone for 2026 by fDi Intelligence, with a special mention for responsible AI use. The special economic zone now hosts 500 businesses. Regional Security: Five Cayman Islands Regiment personnel have deployed to Antigua and Barbuda to support preparations for next month’s Commonwealth summit. Healthcare: HSA has launched its first orthodontic service, offering braces, clear aligners and other treatments to patients of all ages. Police: Two West Bay men have been charged after officers responding to a North Side burglary alarm used a drone to locate them. Stolen property was recovered with Coast Guard assistance. Culture: Gimistory returns from 1 to 6 November, bringing free storytelling, music and Caymanian food to communities across the islands.

Airline Recognition: Cayman Airways has won the Caribbean’s Leading Airline award for 2026, in its first year nominated, and is now in contention for the world title. Knowledge Economy: Cayman Enterprise City was named the Americas’ leading knowledge zone for 2026 and received an honourable mention for responsible AI use; 500 businesses now operate in its special economic zone. Public Finance: Government is seeking a CI$236 million loan facility for its approved capital programme. Community Safety: Two West Bay men have been charged after burglaries in North Side; police say cash and jewellery were stolen and some property recovered. Health Care: The Health Services Authority has launched orthodontic services, including braces and clear aligners, for patients of all ages. Culture and Heritage: Gimistory returns November 1–6 with free storytelling events across the islands, while JTC is supporting restoration of the Fair Weather schooner and training opportunities for Caymanian apprentices.

Public Safety: A grandfather and his seven-year-old granddaughter died from generator fumes in East End, a tragedy highlighted in a new commentary. Police: Two West Bay men have been charged with burglary and criminal trespass after a break-in at a North Side home; stolen property was recovered with Coast Guard assistance. Healthcare: The HSA has launched orthodontic care, including braces and clear aligners, and reopened its upgraded morgue, now able to hold 30 bodies. Energy: CUC chair Sheree Ebanks has received Canada’s 2026 Woman in Energy Award for her contribution to Cayman’s energy sector. Travel: Cayman Airways won Caribbean’s Leading Airline at the World Travel Awards and is nominated for the global title. Culture: Free Gimistory performances return 1–6 November, travelling across the islands before closing with Duppy Story Night at Pedro St. James. Public Finance: Government is seeking a CI$236 million loan facility to fund its approved 2026–27 capital programme.

Public Safety: Two West Bay men have been charged after police say they fled a North Side home burglary; officers recovered stolen property with Coast Guard help. Cayman Airways: The national carrier won its first Caribbean’s Leading Airline award and has been nominated for the global title. Government Finance: Government is seeking a CI$236 million loan facility for its approved 2026–27 capital programme, with funds to be drawn as needed. Financial Regulation: CIMA’s AML and sanctions rules make more requirements enforceable for regulated funds, including annual training for governing bodies and regular independent audits. Health and Community: The Breast Cancer Foundation’s gala set a fundraising record, while the HSA has reopened its upgraded morgue with capacity for 30 bodies. Biosecurity: New plant protection legislation takes effect on 1 November, strengthening safeguards against pests and plant diseases.

Investment Dispute: A Trinidad and Tobago High Court judge found Gary Aboud used threats to force a consultant to accept liability for losses tied to the Cayman Islands-based Kijani Commodity Fund. Aboud was ordered to pay $25,000 for false imprisonment and says he will appeal. Government Borrowing: The Government is seeking bids for a CI$236 million, 15-year loan facility to fund its approved 2026–27 capital programme. The borrowing was already authorised in the Budget, and funds will be drawn as needed to manage interest costs. Health Services: The HSA morgue has reopened after upgrades, including a new cooler with capacity for 30 bodies, up from six, and improved security and autopsy facilities. Plant Protection: New plant-health legislation takes effect on November 1. The Department of Agriculture will hold stakeholder briefings before the rules begin. Domestic Violence Awareness: BPW Cayman’s annual Silent Witness March takes place today in George Town, honouring victims and standing with survivors.

Public Finance: Government is seeking a CI$236 million loan facility for its approved 2026–27 capital programme, with funds to be drawn as needed to manage interest costs. Healthcare: The HSA has reopened its upgraded morgue, expanding capacity from six to 30 bodies and improving security and autopsy facilities. Biosecurity: New plant protection rules take effect on 1 November; Agriculture will hold stakeholder briefings on the changes. Education: Thirteen teachers received Outstanding Teacher Awards at a gala attended by nearly 500 public school educators and staff. Financial Services: Cayman hosted the CFATF Council of Ministers as the Islands prepare for a financial crime standards evaluation in December 2027. Community: BPW Cayman’s Silent Witness March takes place Thursday, honouring domestic violence victims and standing with survivors. Currency: New circulating coins featuring King Charles III are due to enter circulation next week; Queen Elizabeth II coins remain legal tender. Economic Development: Cayman Enterprise City has reached 500 Special Economic Zone businesses, with an independent assessment citing more than US$1.23 billion in cumulative economic impact since 2012.

Community: BPW Cayman’s 26th Silent Witness March takes place Thursday in George Town, honouring people lost to domestic violence and standing with survivors. Financial Services: Cayman hosted CFATF ministers for talks on anti-money-laundering standards as the Islands prepare for a December 2027 assessment; Premier André Ebanks is also meeting industry leaders in New York and Toronto. Currency: New circulating coins bearing King Charles III’s portrait are due to enter circulation next week. Queen Elizabeth II coins will remain legal tender. Economic Development: Cayman Enterprise City says its Special Economic Zone has reached 500 businesses, generating more than US$1.23 billion in cumulative economic impact since 2012. Health: A PAHO survey found nearly three in 10 Cayman adults have high blood pressure, but only 27.2% have it diagnosed and effectively managed. The Islands have introduced the HEARTS initiative to strengthen prevention and treatment in primary care. Planning: MPs will retain a vote on most planning-rule changes under revised legislation, with an exception for building codes; Cabinet would also gain power to waive planning fees.

Community Safety: BPW Cayman will hold its 26th annual Silent Witness March on Thursday, October 15, honouring people killed by domestic violence and standing with survivors. Currency: New Cayman Islands coins featuring King Charles III will begin entering circulation next week; Queen Elizabeth II coins remain legal tender. Financial Services: Cayman hosted the CFATF Council of Ministers as the islands prepare for their own anti-money-laundering evaluation in December 2027. Healthcare: Nearly three in 10 adults in Cayman have high blood pressure, but only 27.2% are diagnosed and managing it with medication, according to a PAHO-supported survey. Economy: Cayman Enterprise City says its Special Economic Zone has reached 500 businesses, generating more than US$1.23 billion in cumulative economic impact since 2012. Justice: Adrian Gordon was sentenced to 16 years in prison for a violent rape in 2024. Planning: Proposed changes would keep most planning-rule amendments subject to a parliamentary vote, while allowing Cabinet to waive planning fees.

Financial Oversight: Cayman hosted CFATF’s 18th Council of Ministers Meeting as the islands prepare for a regional anti-money-laundering evaluation in December 2027. Currency: New coins featuring King Charles III will enter circulation next week; Queen Elizabeth II coins remain legal tender. Economic Growth: Cayman Enterprise City says its Special Economic Zone has reached 500 businesses, generating more than US$1.23 billion in cumulative economic impact since 2012. Public Spending: Parliament’s Finance Committee approved CI$44.9 million in supplementary funding, including CI$27.1 million for healthcare and additional support for community needs. Courts: Adrian Gordon was sentenced to 16 years in prison for a violent rape attack in 2024.

Financial Services: Premier André Ebanks heads to New York and Toronto from 13 to 16 October to meet reinsurance, investment and banking leaders and promote Cayman’s financial sector. Healthcare and Support: Parliament’s Finance Committee approved CI$44.9 million in additional 2026 spending, including CI$27.1 million for healthcare and funding for financial assistance and veterans’ and seafarers’ benefits. New Currency: Cayman’s first circulating coins featuring King Charles III are expected to enter circulation next week; existing Queen Elizabeth II coins remain legal tender. Education: Miss Teen Cayman Islands Azariah Oswald has received a scholarship worth up to CI$54,000 for local and overseas study. Community and Environment: CCMI is bringing free marine-science events and school presentations to Grand Cayman this October to encourage ocean stewardship. Public Safety: Police are seeking witnesses to an assault on North Church Street shortly after midnight on 8 October; three people have been arrested and bailed.

New Currency: Cayman’s 2026 coins, bearing King Charles III’s portrait, are due to enter circulation next week. Existing Queen Elizabeth II coins will remain legal tender. Public Spending: Parliament’s Finance Committee approved nearly CI$44.95 million in additional 2026 funding, including CI$27.1 million for healthcare and community support. The government still expects a CI$26.6 million year-end surplus. Mosquito Control: Government approved about CI$3.7 million for a second replacement aircraft and more larvicide as ageing planes hamper spraying. Jobs and Pay: The Economics and Statistics Office has begun its confidential Occupational Wage Survey to build a picture of pay, skills and employment across Cayman. Water Safety: A 65-year-old cruise visitor died after getting into difficulty swimming off George Town’s North Church Street—the eighth death in Cayman’s waters this year.

Government & Finance: Parliament unanimously backed plans to study a Cayman Islands sovereign wealth fund, while revised spending is expected to leave government with a CI$26.6 million year-end surplus. Social Support: Ministers are seeking more welfare funding as assistance reaches thousands of residents, and nearly 40 organisations helped Meals on Wheels raise CI$30,236 for seniors. Public Safety: CBC has resumed checks requiring proof of insurance before vehicles are driven from the port. Police are also seeking witnesses to a midnight assault on North Church Street. Health & Environment: The Mosquito Research and Control Unit received nearly CI$3.7 million for a second new aircraft and larvicide as mosquito numbers remain elevated. Community: Gloria McField-Nixon made history as the Cayman Islands’ first female Deputy Governor, taking her seat in Parliament. Tourism: A 65-year-old cruise-ship visitor died after getting into difficulty while swimming off George Town, the eighth death in local waters this year.

Public Safety: A 65-year-old cruise-ship visitor died after getting into difficulty swimming off George Town’s North Church Street. She is the eighth person to die in Cayman waters this year. Mosquito Control: Government approved nearly CI$3.7 million for the MRCU to buy two replacement aircraft and replenish larvicide stocks amid rising mosquito numbers. Public Finances: Finance Committee approved almost CI$45 million in additional 2026 spending; the government still expects a CI$26.6 million year-end surplus. Sovereign Fund: Parliament unanimously backed the proposal to establish a Cayman Islands sovereign wealth fund, with research and public consultation still to come. Historic Appointment: Deputy Governor Gloria McField-Nixon became the first woman to take her seat in Parliament in the role. Property Market: Sales through September have nearly matched Cayman’s annual record, while condo inventory remains tight. Football: Cayman will visit Guyana on November 12 in the Concacaf Nations League, with both teams seeking points in the group’s final matches.

Police: RCIPS is seeking witnesses to a midnight assault on North Church Street in George Town. Two people were injured; three suspects have been arrested and bailed as investigations continue. Public Finances: Finance Committee approved nearly CI$45 million in additional 2026 spending, while the government now expects a year-end surplus of CI$26.6 million. Social Support: Government is seeking more welfare funding as assistance reaches about 3,000 people, with ministers also calling for better tracking of the programme’s long-term impact. Public Health: The Mosquito Research and Control Unit received nearly CI$3.7 million for a second replacement aircraft and more larvicide amid high mosquito numbers. Cayman’s Future: Parliament unanimously backed the idea of a sovereign wealth fund, with research and public consultation still to come. Community Safety: A 65-year-old American cruise visitor died after getting into difficulty while swimming off George Town; she is the eighth person to die in Cayman waters this year.