David Burt, the Premier, this weekend left for Europe for wide-ranging meetings.

Many meetings were scheduled as part of the Premier’s previously planned trip to attend the annual Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) which have since been postponed due to the General Election called in the United Kingdom.

In June, the Premier travelled to the Cayman Islands to participate in Pre-JMC talks with leaders of other Overseas Territories and agree the agenda for November’s meetings.

The Premier said, “The Bermuda Business Development Agency (BDA) Bermuda Executive Forum — London 2019 meetings and events were scheduled around the, now postponed, JMC meetings. The annual JMC is the highest political forum between the UK Government and Governments of the Overseas Territories. We made the decision that rather than cancel the pre-arranged travel, we would use the time in Europe to expand Bermuda’s outreach in this important region. This year’s London Executive Forum, hosted by the BDA, will explore the strengths of Bermuda’s collaborative business market, the demand for retirement products due to ageing populations globally, and recent law changes that make Bermuda a more attractive country for business.”

Mr. Stephen Catlin, chairman and CEO of Convex Group stated, “In the same way it is important for the Bermuda insurance industry to work with the UK insurance industry, it is equally important that the Governments of the two countries have a good rapport. To that extent, I am delighted that the Premier is coming over to the UK for a few days.”

The Premier will participate in two Executive Forum panel discussions on 26 November. The first panel, “The Conversation” will be moderated by Ms. Fiona Luck, Non-Executive Director, Lloyd’s of London Franchise Board. The second panel, moderated by Mr. Arthur Wightman, Regional Markets Leader and Insurance Leader and Bermuda Territory Leader, PwC Caribbean is titled, “Disruption and Opportunity: What does it mean for Bermuda?”

While in London, the Premier will have meetings with Lord Ahmad, in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Legal and General CEO, Mr. Nigel Wilson and will attend and deliver a speech at the Bermuda Society’s 33rd annual dinner. Additionally, Premier Burt will give interviews, with the Financial Times and Ian King at Sky News.

On Wednesday, the Premier will then travel to Estonia to see first-hand, their innovative, world class digital economy. He will meet with Government officials and business leaders to learn about their successes as Bermuda looks to adopt some of Estonia’s technology to enhance E-Government. The invitation to Tallinn, follows from a visit of Mr. Viljar Lubi, Vice Minister for Economic Development, to Bermuda earlier this year. Following the Estonia meetings, the Premier will return to England on Thursday to host the annual Bermudians in the UK networking receptions.

Following a pledge the Premier made in 2017, there will be two receptions; the first on Thursday evening in Birmingham, the second on Friday evening in London. Bermudians living in the UK can RSVP for the Birmingham reception: https://form.jotformeu.com/93112792549362 or the for London reception: https://form.jotformeu.com/93112805124346

On Sunday, the Premier will travel to Brussels for a series of meetings with EU Officials, EU Ambassadors, and European media. The Premier will host the British Chamber of Commerce Financial Services luncheon and a dinner with the Financial Future Group before returning to Bermuda on Wednesday.