Chamber calls on UK to get involved with local crime

(CNS): During the recent visit by a delegation from the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office the Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce told the British representatives that the FCO needed to increase its involvement in the escalating crime problem in the islands. The FCO visitor were here primarily to discuss and review Cayman’s current economic situation and the proposed three year plan as a result Andrew Paterson from the FCO and Carole Pretorious of Oxford Policy Development met with a wide range of stakeholders while they were here last week.

During the Chamber’s Council meeting with the two UK economists the chamber said that it had reiterated its opposition to any form of direct taxation and calling for Government to reduce its expenditure and to move ahead with the divestment of Government assets and privatization of non-essential government services.  The chamber has recently offered its backing to the content of the Miller report which advises against any new taxation but instead recommends a dramatic cut in government spending. Speaking at the recent Chamber careers, jobs and training expo the president of the Chamber, Stuart Bostock said government should listen carefully to the expert advice offered in the report.

Although economics formed a key part of the discussion the affect of crime on the economy was also a talking point. “The Council used the opportunity to express their concern about the escalating level of crime and called upon the FCO to increase their involvement through the Governor’s office to address the situation as a matter of urgency,” the Chamber said in a statement.