Government

Good day to members of the media and the listening public. 

I stand before you today to provide an update on the Economic Investment Certificate (EIC) program.

It is with great pleasure that I announce that in the eight months since the launch of this initiative on March 1st, 2021, the total investment of EIC holders in Bermuda is over 39.5 million dollars ($39,541,923.94), which includes $14.3 injected into the economy from real estate purchases made this year.  This is a significant and positive result, and we have not even reached the one year mark yet.

“A giant of the Caribbean Region,” remarked Premier David Burt today after news of the passing of Sir James Mitchell,  former Prime Minister of St. Vincent & The Grenadines. “Born in Bequia, Sir James was a proud Vincentian and a man who led the Island nation as Prime Minister from 1984-2000.”

Since the last update, the Ministry of Health received 5,606 test results and 9 were positive for the coronavirus, giving a test positivity rate of 0.2%. 

These results are from testing done on:

• Thursday: 8 positive out of 2,192 results (0.4% positivity)
• Friday: 0 positive out of 1,985 results (0.0% positivity)
• Saturday: 1 positive out of 1,429 results (0.1% positivity)

Six (6) of the new cases are classified as imported with history of travel in the previous 14 days.

Good day to members of the media and the listening public. Thank you for your attendance and for watching this Press Conference.

Last week, I announced that the Government would introduce a Bill to facilitate renewable energy technology developers testing their products in Bermuda. I stated, “This legislation will lay the groundwork for additional investment in Bermuda, whose innovation can reduce the cost of electricity for local consumers.”

The Ministry of Social Development and Seniors wishes to provide the public with an update on Litigation Guardians in Bermuda.

Minister, the Hon. Tinee Furbert, JP, MP, shared, “The Litigation Guardian Service operates in the Bermuda court in respect of some of Bermuda’s most vulnerable and at-risk children and young people.”

At the conclusion of the Joint Ministerial Council in London between the UK Government and elected Representatives of the Governments of the Overseas Territories, the Premier of Bermuda, the Hon. E. David Burt, JP, MP, held a bilateral meeting with the Minister of State for the Overseas Territories the Hon. Amanda Milling MP (photo attached).

Premier Burt said: “This is an important opportunity to raise key issues with the UK Government on behalf of Bermuda.”

Since the last update, the Ministry of Health received 2,974 test results, and 1 was positive for the coronavirus, giving a test positivity rate of 0.1%.

These results are from testing done on:

•       Tuesday: 1 positive out of 1,378 results (0.1% positivity)

•       Wednesday: 0 positive out of 1,596 results (0.0% positivity)

The one (1) new case is classified as imported with history of travel in the previous 14 days.

Additionally, since the last update, there have been 9 recoveries and 0 deaths.

There are 30 active cases, of which:

Sir David Amess was hailed as ‘one of Bermuda’s biggest cheerleaders’ by its Premier, as he laid a wreath to the MP in the House of Commons.

The Southend West MP, who was killed last month, chaired the Britain-Bermuda All-Party Parliamentary Group All Party since its inception in 2015.

Bermuda’s Premier, the Hon E. David Burt, JP, MP, paid tribute to Sir David ‘for ensuring Bermuda had a voice in the UK Parliament’.

‘Sir David was a great friend to Bermuda – dedicated and hard-working – someone who did his best to raise our cause in the wider world,’ he said.

Yesterday (Nov. 18), the Minister of National Security, Renee Ming attended a simulated emergency air crash exercise which took place near Clear Water Beach. 

Various Ministry departments, including the Bermuda Fire & Rescue Service (BF&RS), Royal Bermuda Regiment (RBR), the Coast Guard and the Bermuda Police Service (BPS) partnered with Skyport representatives and other relevant agencies to test their emergency response in the event of an aircraft incident. 

The Disaster Risk Reduction and Mitigation (DRRM) Team were on hand to oversee the exercise. 

Yesterday (Nov. 18), the Minister of National Security, Renee Ming attended a simulated emergency air crash exercise which took place near Clear Water Beach. 

Various Ministry departments, including the Bermuda Fire & Rescue Service (BF&RS), Royal Bermuda Regiment (RBR), the Coast Guard and the Bermuda Police Service (BPS) partnered with Skyport representatives and other relevant agencies to test their emergency response in the event of an aircraft incident. 

The Disaster Risk Reduction and Mitigation (DRRM) Team were on hand to oversee the exercise. 

Requirement to apply Enhanced Due Diligence for higher risk jurisdictions

Minister of Legal Affairs and Constitutional Reform, Hon. Kathy Lynn Simmons, JP, MP today issued AML-ATF Advisory 3/2021 about the risks in a number of jurisdictions arising from inadequate systems and controls to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.

The Ministry and Department of Education are aware of a complaint that has been made on social media by a parent of a Whitney Institute Middle School student. 

The Whitney Institute is an Aided School that is governed by its Board of Governors. Therefore, the School Board is addressing this matter, and any additional updates will be released as needed. 

The Minister of Education, the Hon. Diallo Rabain, JP, MP, shared, “At this time, I can confirm that the student is currently in school as there was not an expulsion issued or a formal withdrawal request submitted.”