The Premier and Minister of Finance, the Hon. E. David Burt, JP, MP, departed for Europe yesterday, 30 September, where he will lead a Government delegation and hold a series of meetings with EU officials in Brussels, Paris, and London, including the new Secretary General of the OECD. The
Premier first travels to Brussels, where he will meet with high-level European Union officials, including the Director General of DG FISMA, the new chair of the Code of Conduct Group for the EU Council, and representatives from EU member states such as Luxembourg and Ireland.
The purpose of these meetings will be to deepen connections with financial services and taxation stakeholders and to continue to highlight Bermuda’s position as a cooperative and transparent jurisdiction. While in Brussels, the Premier will also conduct several media interviews and host a reception at the Government of Bermuda’s Brussels Office to be attended by European Commission officials, Members of the European Parliament, and Member State and private sector representatives.
The Premier will then depart Brussels for Paris, where he will hold a high-level meeting at the OECD headquarters with new Secretary General Mathias Corman to discuss matters related to Global Minimum Tax. Following Paris, Premier Burt will travel to London for further meetings and media engagements before returning to Bermuda.
Premier David Burt said: “It is vital that the Government of Bermuda continues to deepen connections with our European partners within the European Commission, Council, Parliament and Member States. Decisions made within the European Union impact Bermuda’s financial services industry, including insurance and reinsurance, and we must continue to reiterate our message of cooperation and transparency.
"This trip is a chance to renew long-standing relationships but also to meet with new persons in key positions due to recent changes of leadership in bodies that are vital for Bermuda’s economic interests.”
The Premier will be joined by Mr Ken Joaquin, Registrar of Companies for the Ministry of Finance, and Ms Aliyyah Ahad, the Government of Bermuda’s EU Representative. Premier Burt will return to the island on Saturday, 7 October.