Chamber and Government Forge New Path for Accountability at Parliamentary Luncheon

At a time when words often outweigh action, the Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce used its 2025 Parliamentary Luncheon to shift that balance. With nearly 450 business leaders, Government officials, and dignitaries in attendance, the annual gathering — the first since the new Government took office — signalled not just renewed cooperation but a new era of accountability.

At the centre of that shift is a first-of-its-kind Government Accountability Scorecard, a collaborative initiative between the Chamber and the Cayman Islands Government. Chamber President Omari Corbin unveiled the scorecard during his keynote speech, positioning it as a non-partisan, outcomes-driven tool to monitor progress on national goals.

“This is not about promises,” Corbin said. “It’s about performance. Only action delivers progress.”

A Tool for Real Accountability

The Accountability Scorecard is designed to align directly with the Government’s Strategic Policy Statement (SPS), a blueprint for national development, and will offer quarterly updates on key initiatives. Metrics and indicators will be jointly developed by the Chamber and Government officials to ensure transparency and relevance. The goal is clear: keep the public informed and focus sharp.

Premier André Ebanks welcomed the initiative in his address, framing it as part of a broader effort to modernise governance and deepen collaboration with the private sector.

“We support transparency not just in principle, but in practice,” said the Premier. “This partnership is a model for how public and private sectors can co-lead national progress.”

Bridging Policy with Advocacy

The scorecard will also track progress against the Chamber’s three core advocacy pillars:

1.   Workforce and Education Reform

2.   Economic Growth and Innovation

3.   Good Governance and Accountability

From stronger school-to-work pipelines to digital transformation and immigration reform, the Chamber’s agenda intersects with national priorities — and now, with a mechanism in place to track them together.

“We’re not standing on the sidelines,” said Corbin. “We’re sitting at the table, helping to set the agenda — and helping to deliver on it.”

That influence is already being felt. Members of the Chamber Council and CEO Wil Pineau have been appointed to key Government advisory committees and national boards, reflecting a deepening trust and practical collaboration between the public and private sectors.

A Call to Action, Not Celebration

Despite the occasion, Corbin’s message was anything but ceremonial. He challenged elected leaders and civil servants to match the private sector’s energy and urgency, especially in areas like education reform, AI preparedness, and port infrastructure in the Sister Islands.

He also previewed the upcoming 2026 Economic Forum, set for 23 January, which will focus on artificial intelligence and its impact across sectors. A topic he says must become a national priority before disruption outpaces policy.

Premier Ebanks: “The Government Can’t Do It Alone”

Premier Ebanks’ address emphasised shared responsibility and the need for constructive partnerships. He pointed to successful models such as Cayman Finance and called for greater private-sector input on housing, education, and economic diversification.

“We must evolve together — not as separate entities, but as partners aligned on the same mission,” he said.

Looking Ahead: A Chamber at 60, Focused on the Future

As the Chamber celebrates its 60th anniversary, it’s clear the organisation is not slowing down. From the upcoming Business Excellence Awards to global recognition at the World Chambers Congress in Melbourne, the Chamber is positioning the Cayman Islands as a forward-thinking business hub.

It’s also investing in the next generation. A new animated campaign, Tourism Matters, developed in partnership with the Ministry and Department of Tourism, will launch soon to inspire young Caymanians to consider careers in the tourism industry — still a cornerstone of the national economy.

A Partnership in Motion

The 2025 Parliamentary Luncheon marked more than an annual tradition — it marked a pivot toward measurable governance, shared responsibility, and tangible progress.

The Chamber and the Government may not always agree on every detail, but on one point, they are now aligned: progress must be tracked, measured, and shared.

And in the words of Omari Corbin, “That’s how we build a stronger Cayman — together.”