CIFSA winds down education campaign

(CNS):  For six months the Cayman Islands Financial Services Association (CIFSA) in partnership with the PR Unit of the Portfolio of Finance has been pursuing an education campaign aimed at raising awareness in the local community about the contribution the financial sector makes to Cayman’s economy and culture. According to organisers “Everybody’s Business” has had a positive impact but it is now winding down.

Although the organisers say that the push to explain what our financial industry does as well as highlight the opportunities that are available to young Caymanians went well it is now winding down.  The ‘Everybody’s Business’ programme will be taking a break while CIFSA evaluates alternatives for creating an ongoing educational programme it said in a press release.

  “The campaign was originally set to run for six months, but the response has been so positive that CIFSA is considering ways we can maintain the program over the long run” added Eduardo Silva, CIFSA Chairman. “There is obviously a need for this information to be distributed to the public and we want to see that need is met.”

The programme has featured the creation of a website, a travelling display unit hosted at businesses and government agency sites along with various events where industry leaders and successful young Caymanians shared their experiences with audiences at schools, community groups and professional associations, CIFSA said.

It also said that there were appearances on the most popular radio and television networks all of which was supported by advertising in the newspapers and radio stations. Each month two CIFSA members donated the funds required to operate the programme and in the final month dms Management Ltd. and the Cayman Islands Insurance Association (CIIA) footed the bill.

 Over the course of the six month campaign other sponsors included:  dms Management Ltd, Cayman National, KPMG, Julius Bar, Aon Cayman National Insurance Brokers, Deloitte, Butterfield Bank, Cayman Free Press, and Cayman Net News. “We are proud to be a part of this important effort,” said David Bree at dms Management Ltd.  “It is essential that every Caymanian realize what an important part of our islands’ economy and society that financial services has become over the last 20 years.  And that it is something that has to be nurtured and protected, just as we would our reefs and beaches and natural assets.” 

 Nigel Twohey at CIIA agreed and said that the programme strikes a balance, “between promoting the opportunities the sector provides while also making it clear that nothing can be taken for granted and we must all be proactive in taking the correct steps to protect the industry from potential threats and to position ourselves personally for success in the industry.”