Minister of State for the Overseas Territories and Cayman Islands Premier
André Ebanks met in London yesterday to discuss key areas of
partnership and UK support for the Cayman Islands Government's
priorities following their recent elections.
The wide-ranging discussion covered areas of mutual
collaboration, including the environment, security, financial
services and sanctions. Minister Doughty welcomed the Cayman
Islands' commitment to preserving its pristine marine environment
and thanked Premier Ebanks for Cayman's support to other Overseas
Territories in times of need, most recently in Anguilla.
Recognising the importance of UK funded programmes, including the
Darwin Initiative, the UK and Cayman Islands governments will
continue their partnership on environmental protection, including
their work together in the Blue Belt Programme.
Premier Ebanks and Minister Doughty also re-affirmed their shared
desire to tackling illicit finance and sanctions evasion.
Minister Doughty recognised that the Cayman Islands are a world
leader in high quality, modern and resilient financial services.
Minister Doughty praised the Cayman Islands' leading regional
role in implementing UK sanctions, including freezing over $9
billion of Russia-linked assets.
Minister Doughty welcomed the important steps taken by the Cayman
Islands to promote greater corporate transparency, including
launching a register of beneficial ownership information in
February 2025 accessible to those with legitimate interest such
as accredited journalists, academic researchers, and members of
certain civil society organisations. Minister Doughty also
welcomed Premier Ebanks' commitment to make further enhancements
to their beneficial ownership register – on a legitimate interest
basis – with more streamlined processes for multiple search
requests, including on fees. They agreed to continue work to
enhance greater cooperation through reciprocal information
sharing by competent authorities (including law enforcement). We
will review these changes together in the coming weeks, in line
with the parameters for registers of beneficial ownership agreed
between Overseas Territory leaders and the UK Government at the
Joint Ministerial Council in November 2024.
Premier Ebanks and Minister Doughty confirmed their desire to
further deepen the modern UK-Cayman Islands partnership and
looked forward to Minister Doughty's upcoming visit to the Cayman
Islands in September 2025. Minister Doughty reiterated the firm
commitment of his government to the sovereignty, security and
defence of the Overseas Territories.
