The Economy
Strengthen the Economy
The Cayman Islands has one of the strongest economies in the region. Our financial services and tourism industries have driven national growth for decades, resulting in a high GDP per capita and a strong labour market. Financial services and tourism remain essential to our prosperity, but we must also support and grow other key industries—like technology, healthcare, and education—that will shape our long-term future.
Despite our economic strength, it is not yet equitable. We must do more to close the wealth gap and ensure that all Caymanians can participate in and benefit from our country’s success.
TCCP will promote a stronger, fairer economy by supporting responsible growth, protecting our key industries, embracing innovation, and ensuring that economic opportunity reaches every Caymanian.
Our economy must be dynamic and diverse.
To strengthen the economy, TCCP will:
- Enhance support for small business and local entrepreneurs by increasing resources for programmes offered through the Cayman Islands Centre for Business Development (CICBD)
- Provide technical and financial assistance to help small businesses scale
- Encourage innovation, creative industries, and Caymanian-owned ventures in emerging markets
- Increase the minimum wage using a phased approach based on the Advisory Committee’s recommendation
- Align education and vocational programmes with career opportunities in financial services, tourism, technology, education and healthcare – in support of the National Workforce Development Strategy and Human Capital Plan
- Commit and adhere to greater fiscal responsibility and smarter public spending
- Review and resolve issues arising from large pension withdrawals
- Revamp the National Pensions Act (2024 Revision) and relevant regulations to allow increased investment flexibility for private pensions
To support the industries that drive our economy—and those that will define our future—we must invest in:
Financial Services
- Protect and promote the long-term success of the financial services industry by adding resources to the key regulatory authorities and agencies, increasing the promotional budget of Cayman Finance, and adding Registrar and Cayman Islands Monetary Authority services in the established overseas offices
- Work with stakeholders to maintain high standards of compliance and transparency
- Support the development of emerging sectors such as reinsurance, tech and family offices
- Improve alignment between tourism and financial services to enhance synergies, especially in business travel and conferences
Tourism
- Modernise our national tourism strategy with a clear focus on resilience and diversification
- Increase visitation during quieter periods to support year-round business activity
- Promote different types of visitation in addition to traditional leisure, e.g. business, meetings and incentives, sports, medical, wellness, heritage and nature based
- Create more opportunities for Caymanian entrepreneurs and workers across the tourism value chain
- Strengthen coordination of marketing, product development and visitor experience by creating a public/private ‘Visit Cayman’ initiative
- Balance investments in stayover tourism, such as modernising airport infrastructure, with supporting a sustainable cruise sector guided by the outcome of the referendum on cruise berthing facilities
- Improve revenue from cruise passengers for watersports, transportation and other operators by negotiating with cruise lines
- Introduce new tourist attractions and experiences in collaboration with private and civic sectors to enrich our tourism product
Technology, Education & Healthcare
- Support the growth of the technology and healthcare sectors as key pillars of our economy
- Improve access to education and skills training in high-demand fields
- Align education and vocational programmes with opportunities in financial services, tourism, technology, and healthcare
- Position Caymanians to lead in the industries that will define our future
- Fast track TVET training programmes that create employment opportunities less vulnerable to the impact of artificial intelligence (AI)
Lottery
- In relation to a National Lottery, we will be guided by the outcome of the referendum. If the voters indicate a desire to have a lottery, we will explore the design and feasibility of introducing one that optimises the benefits and minimises risks to our society.
The strength of our economy is built on the creativity and industriousness of our forefathers, but we cannot take it for granted. We must continue to innovate, modernise and be competitive in a fast-paced global market if we are to continue enjoying its benefits.