Officials on Bermuda’s public service leadership team, including Permanent Secretaries and department heads, are honing their skills through a partnership agreed this summer with the United Arab Emirates.

The memorandum of understanding with the UAE Ministry of Cabinet Affairs enables the island to participate in its Government Experience Exchange Programme, developed by the UAE’s Government Experience Exchange Office.

Nearly 20 staff from Bermuda went overseas to train and collaborate on finding practical solutions to public policy challenges.

Jason Hayward, the economy and labour minister, signed the partnership with Nasser Lootah, Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Experience Exchange.

Mr Hayward said the UAE had covered travel and accommodation for the leadership team to go to the UAE this weekend, at no cost to the Bermuda Government.

He said they were also using the UAE’s government accelerator, aimed at developing rapid change in government.

Cherie Whitter, the head of the Public Service, said the skills and experience would “greatly benefit Bermuda and enhance our public service delivery”.