Download PDF File

New ministry.pdf

Responsibility for business development and international business has been shifted from the Premier to the Minister of Labour, the Government announced yesterday.

A spokeswoman for the Cabinet Office said Jason Hayward, the Minister of Labour, would become the Minister of Economy and Labour under the changes which come into effect today.

As well as business development and IB, the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation, the Bermuda Business Development Agency and the economic development department will all move from under the Premier to Mr Hayward.

David Burt, the Premier, said: “I am confident Mr Hayward is capable of handling these added responsibilities and those sectors will in turn have a minister focused on providing policy development and execution in support of economic growth for Bermuda while I devote time to the Ministry of Finance.

“The transferred responsibilities will enjoy synergies with workforce development and immigration that will further advance Bermuda’s Economic Recovery Plan, creating jobs in this economy and getting Bermudians back to work.”

He added: “Data-driven policy is necessary to provide the targeted assistance that will equip Bermuda’s workforce for jobs that will be created.”

Mr Burt took on the finance ministry last week after Curtis Dickinson resigned. Although the economic development department and the economic quangos fall under Mr Burt as Premier, they were overseen by Cabinet Office minister Wayne Furbert.

Mr Hayward said he was “humbled” by the opportunity.

He added: “As we continue to live with Covid-19, economic development, growth and diversification are top priorities for the Government. The Ministry of Economy and Labour will lay the foundation for a human-centred sustainable economic recovery.

“I am looking forward to working with all agencies and stakeholders to deliver on the Government’s economic recovery plan.”

The changes also include the Department of Statistics moving to Mr Hayward.