Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen of the media. Thank you for being here today.

Before I get started I want to acknowledge everyone with me today. We have:

The public is invited to attend a meeting to discuss the Pre-Budget Report on Tuesday 30 January at 6pm in the St. Paul Centennial Hall. Following a brief presentation attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions of the Premier and Minister of Finance, the Hon. David Burt, JP, MP and Junior Minister of Finance, the Hon. Wayne Furbert, JP, MP.

HAMILTON, BERMUDA –Bermuda Monetary Authority (Authority or BMA) hosted the sixth meeting of the Financial Policy Council (Council or FPC) at its offices in Hamilton, Bermuda.

The third annual assessment by the Bermuda Fiscal Responsibility Panel has been completed.

The report has been posted to the Ministry of Finance section of the Government portal and will be laid before the legislature when Parliament returns in the new year.

Ministerial Statement by the Junior Minister of Finance,The Hon. Wayne Furbert, JP, MP

Mr. Speaker, I am tabling today the audited financial statements relating to the Consolidated Fund for the year-ended March 31, 2017.

The devastation caused by hurricanes in the Caribbean has been front and centre in discussions this weekend for Premier and Finance Minister the Hon. E. David Burt JP MP.

The Premier flew to Miami for a Special Meeting of the Caribbean Overseas Territories, involving leaders of Caribbean countries discussing the regional effects of Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

Premier Burt was accompanied by Secretary to the Cabinet Dr Derrick Binns and Director of the London Office & UK Representative for the Government of Bermuda Kimberley Durrant.

The devastation caused by hurricanes in the Caribbean will be front and centre in discussions this weekend for Premier and Finance Minister the Hon. E. David Burt JP MP.

The Premier will fly to Miami for a Special Meeting of the Caribbean Overseas Territories, involving leaders of Caribbean countries discussing the regional effects of Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

Premier Burt will be accompanied by Secretary to the Cabinet Dr Derrick Binns and Director of the London Office & UK Representative for the Government of Bermuda Kimberley Durrant.

Premier and Minister of Finance the Hon. David Burt JP MP continued a busy week of talks with United Kingdom officials in London tonight as he met with UK Foreign Secretary the Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP.

The Premier completed meetings with European Union and OECD representatives in Brussels and Paris and spent today actively engaged with UK Ministers and other officials discussing various matters of importance to Bermuda.

Ministerial Statement by the Premier and  Minister of Finance, The Hon. David Burt, JP, MP

Mr. Speaker, in accordance with the Government’s commitment made in the 2017 Speech From the Throne, I am pleased to table the Caribbean Regional Technical Assistance Centre (CARTAC) Report entitled, “Reforming the Bermuda Tax system and Its Administration for Fiscal Consolidation.” The report was tabled in this Honourable House today.

Ministerial Statement by the Minister of Finance Headquarters, The Hon. David Burt, JP, MP

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to provide Honourable Members with information on Supplementary Estimate No. 1 for 2017/18 which was tabled in this Honourable House earlier today.