The Minister of Economy and Labour attended a joint conference hosted by the African Export-Import Bank in the Bahamas.

Jason Hayward was at the AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum and the Afreximbank Annual Meetings from June 12 to 14.

The event was centred around the theme “Owning Our Destiny: Economic Prosperity on the Platform of Global Africa,” reflecting Africa’s deepening economic and cultural links with the Caribbean and other diaspora regions.

Mr Hayward said: “Bermuda cannot afford to be complacent in the face of today’s rapidly changing global economic landscape.

“Our competitive advantages, developed over many decades, stem from a proactive approach to global shifts.

“Bermuda must expand its horizons, embrace new economic partners and continually evolve its global offerings.”

He added: “The ACTIF/AAM conference is a vital step in this journey, enabling us to strengthen partnerships with our Caricom peers and lay the groundwork for collaboration across the African continent.

“Underpinned by our historical and cultural ties, increased economic co-operation is a natural and functional strategic step leading to greater investment opportunities, shared development goals and economic diversification.”

During the conference, Mr Hayward held a meeting with representatives from the Republic of Ghana — Abena Osei-Asare, the Deputy Minister of Finance, and Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.

They discussed Bermuda and Ghana’s desire to deepen economic and technical co-operation, exploring opportunities for collaboration in reinsurance, youth exchange programmes and other areas of knowledge exchange.

Mr Hayward also met Doris Uzoka-Anite, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment for the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He and Dr Uzoka-Anite discussed opportunities to build a relationship founded on mutually beneficial priorities, including digital assets, reinsurance and agriculture.