Chamber President Paul Byles and Chief Executive Officer Wil Pineau were among the members of the Cayman Islands delegation in attendance at the GREAT Festival of Innovation in Hong Kong last month.
Organised by the United Kingdom’s Department for International Trade, the Festival brought together thought leaders from across the globe to share the latest thinking on innovation across industry, society and community. A series of thought-provoking keynotes, masterclasses, showcases, installations and performances took place over four days and included addresses from industry leaders, entrepreneurs, artists, educators and futurologists.
“The world is advancing at an incredible pace, and it’s important that, as a financial and tourism capital of the Caribbean, we keep up with the latest innovations to ensure that the Cayman Islands continue to remain at the forefront of industry, technology and trade,” said President Paul Byles.
“The GREAT Festival of Innovation was an excellent opportunity for us to see what the future has in store for us, whilst at the same time forging and cementing new relationships abroad,” he added.
The Chamber representatives met with the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce and agreed to further discuss ways in which both organisations can improve the networking between their respective membership businesses.
The Cayman Islands delegation included:
• Premier, Hon. Alden McLaughlin, Minister of Human Resources, Immigration and Community Affairs
• Hon. Tara Rivers, Minister of Financial Services and Home Affairs
• Hon. Joseph Hew, Minister of Commerce, Planning and Infrastructure
• Hon. Dwayne Seymour, Minister of Health, Environment, Culture and Housing
• Mr. Eric Bush, Representative to the UK & EU and Director of the Cayman Islands Government Office in London
• Mr. Roy Tatum, Senior Political Advisor to the Premier
• Mr. Jude Scott, CEO for Cayman Finance.
The festival took place over four days, with each day focusing on a different topic. Day one, ‘Work,’ addressed the innovative practices transforming the workplace, from new technologies to the rise of cybercurrencies.
Day two, ‘Live,’ assessed what the future holds for cities and their inhabitants. Experts discussed possible solutions for concerns such as climate change, as well as examining how international cooperation can lead to a brighter future. Dr. Devi Shetty of Health City Cayman Islands (HCCI) delivered an address on day two, bringing the phenomenal story of HCCI to a global stage.
Day three, ‘Play,’ addressed the way we enjoy ourselves. Industry leaders and renowned artists explained what the future holds for culture, entertainment and travel. The Hon. Joseph ‘Joey’ Hew was one of the guest speakers for this day, sitting on a panel to discuss luxury tourism in the Cayman Islands.
The final day, ‘Learn,’ saw internationally acclaimed educators explore the vast and varied scope of research currently underway. Audiences learned more about how innovation can help people gain a competitive edge both in the classroom and the workplace, and how higher education and comprehensive research will help shape the world of tomorrow.
The Hon. Tara Rivers also delivered an address regarding the financial services industry during the four-day conference, and the Cayman Islands delegation held a special reception for Hong Kong based financial services businesses who operate in the Cayman Islands.
“Our economy is growing, but we must continue to innovate and develop our services in order to remain competitive in the global market,” said CEO, Wil Pineau.