AGP Executive Report

Airport Expansion: Owen Roberts International Airport is seeking bids for a publicly funded apron and taxiway project, adding three commercial stands and two private-jet parking pads. Work is expected to start in 2027 and finish by March 2028, as rising traffic strains capacity. International Insurance: CIMA issued eight insurer licences in the third quarter, bringing 2026’s total to 28. Cayman now has 720 international insurance companies, with about US$62 billion in premiums and US$203 billion in assets; 11 applications are under review. Energy Costs: Premier André Ebanks says government supports CUC’s plan to consider LNG as a transitional fuel, as the islands remain heavily reliant on costly imported diesel and seek faster relief from high electricity costs.

Airport Infrastructure: The Airports Authority has put a publicly funded, multi-million-dollar expansion at Owen Roberts International Airport out to tender. Plans add three commercial stands, two private-jet parking pads and a taxiway, with construction expected to start in 2027. Insurance: CIMA issued eight international insurer licences in the third quarter, bringing the 2026 total to 28. Cayman now has 720 Class B, C and D insurers, with US$62 billion in premiums written and US$203 billion in assets. Shipping: The Cayman-flagged cargo ship Khoryv sank after a Russian drone strike off Romania. One crew member was confirmed dead and others were reported missing or injured. Energy: Premier André Ebanks is backing CUC’s consideration of LNG as a transition from imported diesel, which still generates about 97% of the islands’ electricity. OfReg has been asked to assess options and timelines. Construction: Phased expansion works are under way at Joanna Clarke Primary School, including a larger assembly hall and staff room, more parking and grounds improvements.

Airport Expansion: The Airports Authority has invited bids for a publicly funded apron and taxiway project at Owen Roberts International, citing congestion from rising tourism and private-jet traffic. School Construction: Phased expansion works are under way at Joanna Clarke Primary School, including a larger assembly hall, staff room and more parking; the school will remain open. Insurance Growth: CIMA issued eight international insurer licences in the third quarter, bringing 2026’s total to 28. Cayman now has 720 Class B, C and D insurers, with about US$62 billion in premiums and US$203 billion in assets. Energy Costs: Premier André Ebanks says government supports CUC exploring LNG as a transition fuel as Cayman seeks relief from high costs and heavy reliance on imported diesel. Shipping: The Cayman-flagged cargo ship Khoryv sank after a Russian drone strike off Romania; one crew member was confirmed dead and several were missing or receiving medical care.

Airport Expansion: The Airports Authority has tendered a multi-million-dollar Owen Roberts project, adding commercial aircraft stands, private-jet parking and a taxiway to ease congestion. Maritime Safety: A Cayman Islands-flagged cargo ship sank after a Russian drone strike off Romania; one crew member was confirmed dead and several were missing. School Construction: Phased works at Joanna Clarke Primary will expand the assembly hall and staff room and add parking, with the school remaining open. Insurance: CIMA issued eight international insurer licences in Q3, bringing the 2026 total to 28; Cayman now has 720 Class B, C and D insurers with about US$62 billion in premiums written. Energy: Premier André Ebanks says government is backing CUC’s review of LNG as a possible transition from costly imported diesel, which still generates most of the islands’ electricity.

International Insurance: Cayman added eight international insurer licences in Q3, bringing 2026’s total to 28. The sector now has 720 Class B, C and D insurers, with about US$62 billion in premiums and US$203 billion in assets; 11 applications are under review. Energy Costs: Premier André Ebanks says government supports CUC exploring LNG as a transition from diesel, which still generates about 97% of the islands’ electricity. Officials are seeking a timeline to assess options amid high fuel costs. Reinsurance: Cayman-based Cover Re secured a second US$65 million investment note, bringing its capital from the Resilience Foundation to US$165 million, alongside new senior hires. Tourism and Business: Cayman Airways was named the Caribbean’s leading airline at the 2026 World Travel Awards. A Cayman delegation also met regional investment and business-development partners to explore support for local small businesses and access to capital.

Insurance: Cayman issued eight international insurer licences in the third quarter, bringing 2026’s total to 28. The sector now has 720 Class B, C and D insurers, with about US$203 billion in assets and 11 applications under review. Energy: Premier André Ebanks says government supports CUC’s consideration of LNG as a transitional fuel, as reliance on imported diesel drives electricity costs. The government has asked OfReg to review options for reducing that dependence. Tourism and Skills: Cayman Airways was named the Caribbean’s Leading Airline at the 2026 World Travel Awards, while Dart’s hospitality training programme graduated a record 17 people, helping build local talent for the sector. Small Business: A Cayman government delegation used the Caribbean Investment Forum to explore ways to improve local micro and small businesses’ access to capital, digital tools and new markets.

Insurance: Greenlight Re’s Syndicate 3456 has appointed Ian Maguire as active underwriter as it prepares to become a full Lloyd’s syndicate in January 2027, with growth planned. Industry Growth: Cayman issued 28 international insurer licences in 2026, including eight in the third quarter. The sector now has 720 insurers, about US$62 billion in premiums and US$203 billion in assets. Jobs and Costs: Job postings rose 22.5% in the first nine months of 2026, led by construction, hospitality and administrative services. First-half imports fell 1% by value, but fuel import costs jumped 22.8% as prices climbed. Workforce: Dart’s new Camana Bay STEM centre will add robotics and learning facilities, while its hospitality training programme graduated a record 17 people. Energy: CUC chair Sheree Ebanks received Canada’s 2026 Woman in Energy award, recognising her contribution to Cayman’s power sector.

International Insurance: Cayman’s sector added eight licences in Q3, bringing 2026’s total to 28. The jurisdiction now has 720 international insurers, with US$62 billion in premiums and US$203 billion in assets; 11 applications are under review. Cayman reinsurer Cover Re also secured a further US$65 million, bringing its capital notes to US$165 million. Jobs and Skills: Advertised vacancies rose 22.5% in the first nine months of 2026. Construction led September hiring, followed by retail and hospitality; Dart’s hospitality programme graduated a record 17 trainees, while a new Camana Bay STEM centre is planned. Energy: CUC chair Sheree Ebanks received Canada’s 2026 Woman in Energy award, recognising her contribution to Cayman’s power sector. Tourism and Transport: Cayman Airways won Caribbean’s Leading Airline at the World Travel Awards and earned its first nomination for World’s Leading Airline. Trade and Costs: Imports fell 1% in the first half of 2026, but fuel costs rose sharply as prices climbed despite lower volumes.

Business Development: A Cayman government delegation used the Caribbean Investment Forum to explore ways to help local small businesses access capital, digitise and reach new markets. Insurance: The sector added eight licences in Q3, bringing 2026’s total to 28; Cayman now has 720 international insurers with about US$203 billion in assets. Reinsurance: Cayman-based Cover Re received a further US$65 million investment note, taking capital deployed to US$165 million, alongside three senior appointments. Trade Costs: Imports fell 1% in the first half, but higher fuel prices lifted petroleum import costs 22.8%, adding pressure for businesses and households. Jobs and Skills: Advertised vacancies rose 22.5% in the first nine months of 2026, led by construction, hospitality and administrative services; Dart’s hospitality programme graduated a record 17 trainees. Energy: CUC chair Sheree Ebanks received Canada’s 2026 Woman in Energy award. Tourism and Transport: Cayman Airways won Caribbean’s Leading Airline and earned its first nomination for the global title.

Insurance: Cayman’s international sector issued eight new licences in Q3, bringing 2026’s total to 28. The 720 Class B, C and D insurers hold about US$203 billion in assets and write US$62 billion in premiums. Reinsurance: Cayman-based Cover Re secured a further US$65 million investment note, bringing capital deployed to US$165 million, and named three senior risk, investment and underwriting executives. Energy: CUC Chair Sheree Ebanks received Canada’s 2026 Woman in Energy award for her contribution to the industry. Trade Costs: Imports fell 1% in the first half of 2026, but petroleum costs rose 22.8% as higher prices outweighed lower volumes. Tourism and Skills: Cayman Airways won Caribbean’s Leading Airline at the World Travel Awards and earned its first global nomination. Dart’s hospitality programme graduated a record 17 trainees, while more than 100 applied. Jobs and Education: Cayman job postings rose 22.5% in the first nine months of 2026, led by construction, hospitality and administrative services. Dart is also building a Camana Bay STEM centre to expand local training opportunities. Public Enterprise: Turtle meat accounted for just 6% of the Turtle Centre’s recurring revenue and was sold at a loss, with public funding supporting the operation.

Reinsurance: Cayman-based Cover Re secured another $65 million in capital, bringing Resilience Foundation funding to $165 million, alongside three senior appointments. Energy: CUC chair Sheree Ebanks received Canada’s 2026 Woman in Energy award for her contribution to the sector. Insurance: The international insurance industry added eight licences in Q3, bringing 2026 approvals to 28; Cayman now has 720 international insurers with about US$203 billion in assets. Trade and costs: Imports fell 1% in the first half of 2026, but higher fuel prices pushed petroleum import costs up 22.8%. Jobs and skills: Job postings rose 22.5% in the first nine months, led by construction, hospitality and administrative services. Dart is also building a Camana Bay STEM centre, while its hospitality training programme graduated a record 17 participants. Tourism: Cayman Airways won Caribbean’s Leading Airline at the World Travel Awards and earned its first nomination for the global title.

Insurance: Cayman’s international insurance sector added eight licences in Q3, bringing 2026 approvals to 28. The 720 Class B, C and D insurers now write about US$62 billion in premiums and hold US$203 billion in assets. Skills and Education: Dart’s hospitality programme graduated a record 17 young Caymanians, while Dart is building a Camana Bay STEM centre to expand hands-on learning and workforce development. Jobs: Employers advertised 22.5% more vacancies in the first nine months of 2026 than a year earlier, with construction, hospitality and administrative services among the leading recruiters. Tourism and Transport: Cayman Airways won its first Caribbean’s Leading Airline award and is the only Caribbean carrier nominated for the global title. Knowledge Economy: Cayman Enterprise City was named the Americas’ leading knowledge zone for 2026; its special economic zone now hosts 500 businesses. Energy: CUC chair Sheree Ebanks received Canada’s 2026 Woman in Energy award for her contribution to Cayman’s electricity sector.

Aviation: Cayman Airways has won Caribbean’s Leading Airline at the World Travel Awards in its first year nominated. It is also the only Caribbean carrier nominated for the World’s Leading Airline title. Jobs: Employers advertised 17,204 vacancies in the first nine months of 2026, up 22.5% year on year. Construction led September hiring, followed by retail and hospitality. Knowledge Economy: Cayman Enterprise City was named the Americas’ leading knowledge zone by fDi Intelligence. The special economic zone now hosts 500 businesses and also received recognition for responsible AI use. Energy: CUC chair Sheree Ebanks received Canada’s 2026 Woman in Energy award for her contribution to Cayman’s electricity sector. Public Investment: Government is seeking proposals for a CI$236 million loan facility to fund its approved 2026–27 capital programme, with funds to be drawn as needed. Agriculture: New plant protection rules take effect on 1 November, setting updated requirements for plant imports and strengthening safeguards against pests and disease.

Knowledge Economy: Cayman Enterprise City was named the Americas’ leading knowledge zone by fDi Intelligence and received an honourable mention for responsible AI use. Its special economic zone now hosts 500 businesses across technology, finance, media and other sectors. Energy: CUC Chair Sheree Ebanks received Canada’s 2026 Woman in Energy Award, recognising her contribution to the Cayman Islands’ electricity industry. Aviation: Cayman Airways won Caribbean’s Leading Airline at the World Travel Awards and is the only Caribbean carrier nominated for the global title. Public Finance: Government is seeking proposals for a CI$236 million, 15-year loan facility to fund its approved 2026–27 capital programme, with borrowing to be drawn as needed to manage interest costs. Agriculture: Stakeholder meetings are planned ahead of the Plant Protection Act taking effect on November 1, introducing updated rules for plant imports and stronger safeguards against pests and disease.

Airline Industry: Cayman Airways won the Caribbean’s Leading Airline award in its first year nominated and is the only Caribbean carrier shortlisted for the 2026 World’s Leading Airline title. Knowledge Economy: Cayman Enterprise City was named the Americas’ leading knowledge zone by fDi Intelligence and received an honourable mention for responsible AI use. Its special economic zone now hosts 500 businesses. Energy: CUC Chair Sheree Ebanks received Canada’s 2026 Woman in Energy award for her contribution to Cayman’s electricity industry. Agriculture and Trade: New plant-protection rules take effect November 1, setting updated requirements for plant imports and strengthening safeguards against pests and disease. Public Investment: Government is seeking proposals for a CI$236 million, 15-year loan facility to fund its approved 2026–27 capital programme, with funds to be drawn as needed.

Creative Industries: The BVI’s 284 Excellence Film Festival drew 30 submissions from 10 countries and territories, including the Cayman Islands, as it prepares four days of screenings, workshops and industry networking. Aviation: Cayman Airways has won Caribbean’s Leading Airline at the 2026 World Travel Awards, in its first year nominated, and is the only Caribbean carrier shortlisted for the global title. Knowledge Economy: Cayman Enterprise City was named the Americas’ leading knowledge zone by fDi Intelligence and received an honourable mention for responsible AI use; 500 businesses now operate in its special economic zone. Public Investment: Government is seeking proposals for a CI$236 million loan facility to fund its approved 2026–27 capital programme, with borrowing drawn down as needed. Agriculture: New plant-protection rules take effect November 1, creating an updated framework for plant trade and biosecurity; stakeholder briefings are planned. Energy: CUC chair Sheree Ebanks received Canada’s 2026 Woman in Energy award for her contribution to Cayman’s energy sector.